Enter Your Produce in the Washington State Fair

From the Washington State Fair: 

It’s time to put your freshest produce forward at the 2013 Washington State Fair, Sept. 6-22. The Agriculture and Horticulture Department will be accepting submissions of your best fruits, vegetables, pumpkins, and more until September 2 at 10 p.m.

The Fair invites gardeners to put our state’s produce to the test and enter fruits and vegetables in the Agriculture Department competition. All entries must be submitted to the Agriculture Department on Tuesday, Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 pm, or Wednesday Sept. 4 from  8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A cash prize will be presented to first and second place winners for each individual division. Winning produce will be on display throughout the Fair.

The much anticipated pumpkin weigh-off will take place Friday, Sept. 6 in the Loading Arena.  Roll your scale-tipping pumpkins on pallets to be entered and judged. First place winners for both adult and junior divisions will receive $1 per pound. Adult division second and third place winners will receive $500 and $400 prizes.  Junior division second and third place winners will receive $300 and $200 prizes.

Which apples will be a pick above the rest? This year the Agriculture and Horticulture Department is showcasing apples of all varieties. From caramel and candied to Golden Delicious, everyone has a shot.  The grand champion of the apple showcase will receive a $25 cash prize.

The traditional pumpkin carving and vegetable critter contests will be held Sunday, Sept. 14. Bring your entry to the Gold Gate between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. and it will act as your entry into the Fair. The contest is open to both youth (5-15 years of age) and adults.  Prizes will be awarded to all the winners.

To obtain the list of conditions for entry and awards and to register online, visit http://www.thefair.com/participate/exhibit-entries/, and select Exhibit entries. To review contest rules in the premium book, click on the desired contest. Or, to enter, click Online Entry Registration. Then click Login/Logoff and choose your Type (Exhibitor), to Create Entries. You will select the department and division. For further questions, contact the Washington State Fair Entry Office at (253) 841-5074, M-F, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or CompExhibits@thefair.com.