How to Enter

How to Enter 2

2025 New York State Fair Competitions - Coming this Spring!

  • Enter Open Competitions online - coming soon

  • Enter Youth/4-H competitions online - coming soon

  • Additional competition rules and entry links located next to rule books per department further down on the page 

State Fair Logos

In New York State, our competitive spirit is a big part of who we are – and few places is it more evident than at the New York State Fair. Each year, thousands of participants cater to their competitive side by entering in competitions spanning a full range of categories including culinary, fine arts, photography, livestock and more. From delicious desserts, champion cattle or historic antique tractors, the Fair hosts competitions for nearly every interest and age group. Whether it’s a premium cash prize, a coveted blue ribbon, or just good old-fashioned bragging rights at stake, we wish you the best of luck!

All Exhibitors entering a State Fair Competition must have a State Financial System (SFS) number to process any potential premium payments. Please review this SFS Reference Guide for details on how to register to get a SFS number, or to verify information for an existing account.

  • You can only enter a competition online by clicking the "Enter Online" link from those competitions below.
  • All entries must be received online before 12:00 midnight on the specified competition deadline date.
  • All materials and dates are subject to change.
  • If you have any questions, please contact us by email at nysfairentrydepartment@agriculture.ny.gov or call 315-728-4383 or 315-728-4426.

 

Page Last Updated: December 12, 2024 | 9:45 am

 

Agricultural - Farm Products

Amateur Wine

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Amateur Wine Rules & Regulations - May 30, 2025 -
Amateur Wine Classes - - -
Amateur Wine Shipping and Entry Form - - -
Amateur Wine Bottle Label - - -
Amateur Wine Drop Points - - -

Commercial Conventional and Organic Fruit, Vegetable & Honey Products

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Commercial Conventional and Organic Fruit, Vegetable, Honey Products Rules & Classes - August 4, 2025 -

Conventional Forage & Grain

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Conventional Forage and Grain Rules & Classes - August 1, 2025 -

Agricultural - Horse Shows

Draft Horse Show

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Draft Horse Show Prize List - August 2, 2025 -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -

Horse Pulling Championships

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Horse Pulling Championships Prize List - August 28, 2025 -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -

Open All Breed, PHBA & Ranch Horse Show

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Horse Show Prize List - August 28, 2025 -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -

Agricultural - Livestock

Beef Cattle

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Beef Cattle Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 5, 2025 -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -
Note that there will be no late Beef Cattle entries for 2025

Dairy Cattle

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Dairy Cattle Information, Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 8, 2025 -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
New York State HPAI Testing Requirements Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -
Note that there will be no late Dairy Cattle entries for 2025

Dairy Goats

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Dairy Goat Rules, Regulations & Classes - July 18, 2025 -
American Dairy Goat Association Show Rules - - -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -

Llamas

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Llama Rules & Classes - July 30, 2025 -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -

Meat Goats

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Meat Goats Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 10, 2025 -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -

Sheep

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Sheep Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 10, 2025 -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -

Swine

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Swine Rules, Regulations & Classes - July 30, 2025 -
Animal Health Requirements & Guidelines Download - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival Routes & Release Zones Maps - - -

Wool

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Wool Rules & Classes - August 25, 2025 -
Fleece to Shawl Rules & Classes - August 25, 2025 -

Antique Tractors

Antique Tractors

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Antique Tractor Rules & Regulations - August 20, 2025 -

Art & Home Center

Arts & Crafts

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Arts & Crafts Rules and Classes - July 28, 2025 -
Art & Home Center General Rules and Regulations - - -
Art & Home Center Exhibitor Schedule - - -
Art & Home Center Shipping Form & Entry Label - - -
Arts & Crafts No Photo Consent Form - - -
Arts & Crafts Quilt Display Example - - -

Arts & Crafts - County Fairs

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
County Fair Competition Information - August 19, 2025 -
Art & Home Center General Rules and Regulations - - -
Art & Home Center Exhibitor Schedule - - -
County Fair Exhibitor Information Sheet - - -
County Fair Shipping Form & Entry Label - - -
Note there are no online entries for this competition. All entries MUST be forwarded by the sponsoring county fair to qualify and must be at New York State Fair by August 19.

Bucket of Junk

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Bucket of Junk Rules & Class - July 28, 2025 -
Art & Home Center General Rules and Regulations - - -
Art & Home Center Exhibitor Schedule - - -
Note that this competition is limited to 15 entries. Materials for this competition must be picked up from July 31 - August 2 from 9am-3pm at the Wegmans Art & Home Center office at the NYS Fairgrounds.

Culinary

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Culinary Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 6, 2025 -
Culinary Recipe Template Form - - -
Culinary Competitions Schedule - - -
Art & Home Center General Rules and Regulations - - -
Art & Home Center Shipping Form & Entry Label - - -

Fine Arts

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Fine Arts Rules & Classes - July 28, 2025 -
Art & Home Center General Rules and Regulations - - -
Art & Home Center Exhibitor Schedule - - -
Art & Home Center Shipping Form & Entry Label - - -
Fine Arts Display Example - - -

Photography

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Photography Rules & Classes - July 28, 2025 -
Art & Home Center General Rules and Regulations - - -
Art & Home Center Exhibitor Schedule - - -
Art & Home Center Shipping Form & Entry Label - - -
Photography Consent Form - - -
Photography Display Example - - -

Poetry

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Poetry Rules & Classes - July 28, 2025 -
Art & Home Center General Rules and Regulations - - -
Art & Home Center Exhibitor Schedule - - -

Dairy Products

Dairy Products

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Dairy Products (Cheese & Culture entries) Information, Rules, Regulations & Classes - May 19, 2025 -
Dairy Products (Ice Cream entries) Information, Rules, Regulations & Classes - June 23, 2025 -

Flower Show

Artistic Design

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Artistic Design Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 20, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Information - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

CNY Gladiolus Society Show

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
CNY Gladiolus Society Show Rules & Classes - August 2, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Regulations - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

Container Grown Plants

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Container Grown Plants Rules & Classes - August 2, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Regulations - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

Dahlias

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Dahlias Rules & Classes - August 2, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Regulations - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

ESGS Gladiolus Show

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Gladiolus Show Rules & Classes - August 2, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Regulations - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

Garden Flowers

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Garden Flowers Rules & Classes - August 2, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Regulations - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

Garden Fruits & Vegetables

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Garden Fruits & Vegetables Rules & Classes - August 2, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Information - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

Hosta Cut Leaf Show

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Hosta Cut Leaf Show Rules & Classes - August 2, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Regulations - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

Rose Show

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Rose Show Rules & Classes - August 2, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Regulations - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

Trees & Shrubs and Ornamental Grasses & Grass-Like Plants Show

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Trees & Shrubs and Ornamental Grasses & Grass-Like Plants Show Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 2, 2025 -
Flower Show General Exhibitor Rules & Regulations - - -
Flower Show Entry Tags & Entry List Form - - -

Iroquois Indian Village

Iroquois Indian Village

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Iroquois Indian Village Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 19, 2025 -
Entry applications available through the Six Nations Agricultural Society. For more info contact Suzanne Holton at (716) 542-2264.

Poultry, Pigeons, Rabbits & Cavies

Cavies

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Cavies Catalog - Rules & Regulations - August 3, 2025 -
Cavies Classes - - -

Pigeons

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Pigeons Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 10, 2025 -

Poultry

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Poultry Rules, Regulations & Classes - August 10, 2025 -

Rabbits

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Rabbits Catalog - Rules & Regulations - August 3, 2025 -
Rabbits Classes - - -

Talent Showcase

Talent Showcase

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Talent Showcase Information & Rules - August 20, 2025 -
To enter the Talent Showcase, an individual must first compete and be one of the top 10 winners in a County Fair Mini or Maxi Talent Show. You may compete at any County Fair if the county you reside in does not have a competition, you must however, be a resident of New York State. An individual cannot compete in more than one county fair. It is at the discretion of each county fair whether or not to accept individuals that reside in another county. The deadline for entering is August 20. Upon winning, and if you are eligible, the County Fair Talent Show Chairperson will forward the appropriate paperwork to the New York State Fair. If you need information on finding the Talent Show in your county, please refer to this website - www.nyfairs.org/fairs_by_date.htm

Youth Livestock

NYS 4-H Beef Cattle

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Youth Beef Cattle Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival & Release Zone Maps - - -

NYS 4-H Dairy Cattle

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Youth Dairy Cattle Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -
Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Schedule - - -
Youth Dairy Challenge Pre-Entry Form - - -
Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Pre-Entry Form - - -
Youth Dairy Cattle Exhibitor Letter & Entry Information - - -
Youth Dairy Cattle Overnight Lodging Form - - -
Youth Dairy Cattle Code of Conduct Form - - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival & Release Zone Maps - - -

NYS 4-H Dog Show

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
NYS 4-H Dog Show Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -

NYS 4-H Goats

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Youth Goat Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Goat Entry Form - - -
Youth Goat Exhibitor Letter - - -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival & Release Zone Maps - - -

NYS 4-H Horse Show

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Youth Horse Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -
NYS 4-H Horse Program Equine Show Rule Book - - -
NYS 4-H Horse Program Educational Events Rule Book - - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Horse Show Arrival & Release Zone Maps - - -

NYS 4-H Poultry

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
NYS 4-H Poultry Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -

NYS 4-H Poultry Science

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
NYS 4-H Poultry Science Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -

NYS 4-H Rabbit & Cavy

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Youth Rabbit & Cavy Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -

NYS 4-H Sheep

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Youth Sheep Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival & Release Zone Maps - - -

NYS 4-H Swine

 Form/File Deadline Enter Online
Youth Swine Premium Book - August 8, 2025 -
Youth Animal Science Schedule - - -
Arrival & Departure Schedule - - -
Livestock Arrival & Release Zone Maps - - -