Catalog of Exhibits

Loudoun’s Blue Ribbon Showcase consists of six Departments, each containing multiple Divisions.  Within each Division, there are several Classes. Kindly choose the Class that best matches the description of your entry. 

Catalog Revisions Every year, we review and analyze the entire catalog against our registration entries. Based on several factors, we determine whether we combine, divide, add or eliminate classes for entry. Therefore, it is IMPORTANT to read through the entire website and the Catalog of Exhibits.

• Registration cut-off time is now 5:00 p.m. on July 15.
• Early Bird exhibitors now receive a weekly pass.
• New Division – Fun on the Farm
• One-Time Division – The 90th – A Fair to Remember
• New Consolidated 4-H Division – Family & Consumer Sciences

The 90th – A Fair to Remember

Division 90 – 90 Years of Fair Heritage

Baked Goods & Confectionery

Division 1 – Breads
Division 2 – Cookies
Division 3 – Candies
Division 4 – Cupcakes
Division 5 – Pies
Division 6 – Cakes

Food Preservation

Division 7 – Home Canned Fruits and Vegetables
Division 8 – Jellies, Jams, and Pickles
Division 9 – Honey

Field, Farm & Garden

Division 10 – Flowers
Division 11 – Gardening

Division 12 – Fun on the Farm

Division 13 – Field Crops
Division 14 – Fiber (sheep, goat, camelid, or rabbit)

Home & Creative Arts

Division 15 – Sewing
Division 16 – Fiber Arts
Division 17 – Quilting 

Division 18 – Crafts
Division 19 – Collections and Scrapbooks

Photography & Fine Arts

Division 20 – Photography
Division 21 – Fine Arts

Loudoun County 4-H Members Only

Division 22 – Natural Science Exhibits 

Division 23 – Family and Consumer Sciences

Division 24 – Project Books
Division 25 – Cloverbuds

 Baked Goods & Confectionery

• Judging will be based on flavor, texture, structure, and appearance.
• Entries in this Department must be made solely by the exhibitor submitting the entry.
• All entries must be covered and protected with a clear cover on all sides for the public to view easily during  Fair Week.
• All entries in Divisions 1 – 6 must be submitted in a disposable container – clear on top and all sides, such as a clamshell container, clear plastic dome, clear plastic cling film like Saran Wrap, or inserted in a clear, sealable bag such as a Ziploc-style baggie.
• We do not have refrigeration facilities for any entry.
• Due to lack of refrigeration, no fresh or frozen fruit garnishes are allowed on any class in this division.
• All entries and containers in this Department will be disposed of at the conclusion of the Fair.
• Ribbons and entry tags will be available during pickup.

Division 1 – Breads

Class 1: 4 Biscuits or Scones
Class 2: 4 Muffins, any type
Class 3: 1 Loaf Yeast Bread or 4 Yeast Rolls
Class 4: 1 Loaf Quick Bread (banana, pumpkin, zucchini, etc.)
Class 5: 1 Tea Ring or Coffee Cake, any type

Division 2 – Cookies

If your cookie entry contains any additions other than chocolate chips or nuts, it should
be entered in Class 2.

Class 1: 4 Cookies – chocolate or chocolate chip (with or without nuts)
Class 2: 4 Cookies – any other variety: fruit, spice, nut, nut butter, etc.
Class 3: 4 Sliced, Cutout, Or Decorated Cookies
Class 4: 4 Bars or Brownies

Division 3 – Candies (4 pieces of candy per entry)

Class 1: 4 pieces of Fudge, any type
Class 2: 4 pieces of Bark or Brittle
Class 3: 4 pieces of any other candy. Include a description on your entry tag.

Division 4 – Cupcakes

• Due to lack of refrigeration, no fresh or frozen fruit garnishes are allowed on cupcakes.

Class 1:  4 Yellow/White cupcakes
Class 2: 4 Chocolate or Devil’s Food cupcakes
Class 3: 4 Any Other Variety cupcakes. Include a description on your entry tag.

Division 5 – Pies

• 1 whole pie is submitted per entry
• Pies requiring refrigeration will NOT be accepted
• Include a description of your pie on the entry tag

Class 1: Fruit Pie (double crust or crumb/nut/lattice topping)
Class 2: Other non-refrigerated Pie (double crust or crumb/nut/lattice topping)

Division 6 – Cakes

• All cakes are submitted whole.
• Due to lack of refrigeration, no fresh or frozen fruit garnishes are allowed on cakes.
• Refer to the bullets under the Baked Goods & Confectionery Department concerning allowable containers for all entries, including cakes.
• A Grand Champion cake will be selected for the following groups: 4-H Junior, 4-H Senior, Open Youth and Open Adult.
• The 4-H Junior and 4-H Senior Grand Champion cakes will be offered by the winning exhibitors at the Fair Auction. The proceeds will go to the respective 4-H exhibitors, less the established auction fees.
• Winners of the Open Youth and Open Adult Grand Champion cakes will each receive $100.00 premiums and a special ribbon.
• If your entry is chosen as Grand Champion 4-H Junior or 4-H Senior cake, you must make a fresh whole cake, just as it was entered, and personally present it along with the recipe, in the auction ring on Friday night.
• The Grand Champion 4-H Junior and 4-H Senior cakes must be delivered to the auction bidder in a covered, sturdy, non-returnable container, preferably with a handle.

Class 1: Yellow/White Cake
Class 2: Chocolate or Devil’s Food Cake
Class 3: Other Flavor Cake
Class 4: Pound Cake, 1 loaf or 1 Bundt
Class 5: Decorated Theme Cake of any flavor or theme
Class 6: Gluten-free cake of any flavor

 Food Preservation

Criteria for Divisions 7 and 8

• Judging will be based on product, container, appearance and/or flavor.
• Entries in these Divisions must be made solely by the exhibitor submitting the entry or as part
  of a family group.
• Canned foods must be submitted in one (1) clear, standard canning jar for each entry.
• All jars must be sealed with lid and screw band.
• All entries must be labeled with the contents of the jar, processing date, and type of processing (boiling or pressure). You may use and hang a 3×5 index card, or a stick-on label.
• Time and method of processing should comply with USDA recommendations.
• JARS MUST HAVE A VACUUM SEAL.
• The following entries will be disqualified:
  o paraffin sealed jams and jellies
  o foods with non-standardized canning jars
  o foods with more than 2 inches of head space
  o jars with failed vacuum seal
  o absence of processing date

Division 7 – Home Canned Fruits and Vegetables

• This division has Special Awards!

Class 1: Pint or Quart of Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Tomato-Based or Barbecue Sauce
Class 2: Pint or Quart of Green Beans
Class 3: Pint or Quart of Any Other Vegetable. Include a description on your entry tag.
Class 4: Pint or Quart of Fruit, Whole or Cut
Class 5: Pint or Quart of Fruit Sauce (Applesauce, Pear Sauce, etc.)

Division 8 – Jellies, Jams, and Pickles

• This division has Special Awards!

Class 1: 1⁄2 Pint or Pint of Jam or Preserves
Class 2: 1⁄2 Pint or Pint of Jelly
Class 3: 1⁄2 Pint or Pint of Fruit/Vegetable Butter (apple butter, pumpkin butter, etc.)
Class 4: Pint of Cucumber Pickles (any size, form, or flavor)
Class 5: Pint of any other Pickled Vegetable(s). Include a description on you entry tag.
Class 6: 1⁄2 Pint or Pint of Relish, Chow-chow, Chutney, or Salsa

Division 9 – Honey

• Honey entries are to have been processed between August 1, 2025 through July 15, 2026<br ?–>and must be the product of the exhibitor’s apiary.
• Entries in this Division must be prepared solely by the exhibitor submitting the entry or as part of the exhibitor’s family group.
• Classes 1 and 2 will be judged on cleanliness, container appearance, moisture content, and accuracy of fill.
• Class 3 will be judged on the neatness and uniformity of cut and appearance, absence of watery and weeping cappings, crushed wax, uncapped cells, travel stain and pollen.
• Class 4 will be judged on aroma, color, cleanliness, uniformity of appearance, absence of blemishes, cracks and shrinkage.

Class 1: Light extracted honey, one-pound clear glass jar (i.e. Gamber “classic” or Queenline)
Class 2: Dark/medium extracted honey, one-pound clear glass jar (i.e. Gamber “classic” or Queenline)
Class 3:  Cut Comb Honey, Light or Medium, 4″ square package, minimum weight 12oz.
Class 4: Pure Beeswax Block, single piece, approximately 16oz.

Field, Farm, & Garden

• All entries for Field, Farm and Garden must be grown solely by the exhibitor submitting the entry or as part of the exhibitor’s family group, except for Division 10 – classes 14 and 15 and Division 12 – classes 1 and 2.
• During Fair week, a watering can and water spritzer will be available for use by exhibitors to maintain the freshness of their entries. Volunteers are not responsible for watering exhibits.

Division 10 – Flowers

Single Specimens

• Include a single stem specimen in a clear glass container.

Class 1: Single gladiolus specimen
Class 2: Single rose specimen
Class 3: Single dahlia specimen
Class 4: Single zinnia specimen
Class 5: Single marigold specimen
Class 6: Single yellow sunflower specimen
Class 7: Single sunflower specimen, other than yellow
Class 8: Single herb specimen. Include a description on your entry tag.
Class 9: Other single flower specimen not listed above. Include a description on your entry tag.

Potted plants

• Plants must be potted in soil or growing medium, in a container, basket, or pot, as appropriate to the Class.
• The overall size of container and specimen are at the discretion of the exhibitor.

Class 10: Potted Plant, single variety
Class 11: Potted Virginia Native Plant Species, single variety
Class 12: Dish Garden or Combination Pot consisting of multiple plants of one or more varieties in one container.
Class 13: Virginia Native Dish Garden or Combination Pot consisting of one or more Virginia native plant species in one container.

Arrangements

• Arrangements must be in a vase or appropriate container, suitable in size and shape to the nature of the arrangement. These are arrangements of cut flowers and/or other plant material.

Class 14: Small is Beautiful – a fresh flower and/or plant material arrangement not to exceed 5” in any direction.  Dimensions include the vase or container.
Class 15: Togetherness – an arrangement of cut flowers and/or plant material, fresh or dried, of a single variety of flower or multiple varieties combined.

Division 11 – Gardening

• Items will be judged visually but may be judged on flavor at the discretion of the judge. Portions of the entry may be sliced or cut to judge internal appearance.
• An entry must consist of ONE variety of the vegetable or fruit specified (i.e. an entry in Class 6 must be 15 green beans of one variety, not 5 Kentucky Wonder beans, 5 yellow wax beans, and 5 purple string beans).
• At the Showcase Committee’s discretion, exhibits may be transferred to uniform containers after dropping off.

Class 1: 3 Slicing Tomatoes, any color
Class 2: 3 Italian or Paste Type Tomatoes, any color
Class 3: 15 Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, any color
Class 4: 3 Irish Potatoes, any color
Class 5: 3 Sweet Potatoes
Class 6: 15 Green or String Beans, any color
Class 7: 3 Ears Sweet Corn, shucked/trimmed
Class 8: 3 Sweet Peppers, any color or type
Class 9: 3 Hot/Spicy Peppers, any color or type
Class 10: 3 Cucumbers, any type
Class 11: 3 Yellow Summer Squash
Class 12: 3 Zucchini Squash
Class 13: 3 Tree Fruits (Peaches, Plums, Cherries, Apples, Pears, etc.)
Class 14: 15 Berries, any kind
Class 15: 3 of any other Vegetable or Fruit. Include description of vegetable or fruit on your entry tag.

Division 12 – Fun on the Farm

• Entries must be durable and hold together.
• For visual display, entries may be moved by volunteers after judging.
• This division has Special Awards!

Class 1: Scarecrow – must provide own support.
Class 2: Diorama or Decorated Fruit or Vegetable – use toothpicks, glue, other connecting tools/substances and other craft material to design your fruit or vegetable entry to keep it all together. You may treat exposed cut food with lemon juice or citric acid to inhibit browning. It can be 3-dimensional or 2-dimensional, but your creation needs to hold together!
Class 3: Bountiful Harvest. A collection of flowers, fruits, vegetables and/or grains grown by the exhibitor and/or their family. Not to exceed a footprint of 24”L x 24”W. Display must be durable and hold together for judging!

Division 13 – Field Crops

• Entries must be tightly bound

Class 1: 6 Stalks Hybrid Field Corn, cut at ground level, bound together for display
Class 2: Bale Section of Alfalfa Hay
Class 3: Bale Section of Grass or Timothy Hay
Class 4: Bale Section of Mixed Legume-Grass Hay or Field Hay
Class 5: Gallon of any Grain, Corn, or Soybeans (submit in a full gallon Ziploc-style bag)

Division 14 – Fiber (sheep, goat, camelid or rabbit)

• Entries must include a 3 x 5 index card describing your entry with the type of fiber, processing method, and the location of farm where fiber was grown or purchased.
• Species of animal and date when the animal was sheared should be noted on the same card.
• Class 2 fiber must be submitted in a full gallon Ziploc-style bag.

Class 1: 1 Skirted Fleece
Class 2: Washed Fiber, combed or carded
Class 3: Hand Spun Yarn by Exhibitor (note ply and type of yarn)

Home & Creative Arts

• Home and Creative Arts entries must be the original work of the exhibitor submitting the entry.

Division 15 – Sewing

• All clothing will be hung for display. The Showcase will provide all hangers.
• Entries must be hand or machine sewn by the exhibitor.
• Commercially made or store-bought items will be disqualified.
• This division has Special Awards!

Class 1: Clothing Item or Ensemble, Youth size
Class 2: Clothing Item or Ensemble, Adult size
Class 3: Accessory
Class 4: Tote Bag or Purse
Class 5: Other Apparel Item not listed in this Division. Include a description on your entry tag.
Class 6: Non-Apparel Item, excluding quilts

Division 16 – Fiber Arts

• Please be sure there are no identifying marks that would allow the judges to discover the identity of the crafter.
• If an identifying mark exists within a piece, it must be covered by the exhibitor.
• Identify the fiber choice and pattern, may be identified on a 3×5 index card.

Class 1: Knitted Blanket
Class 2: Knitted Wearable Item, other than scarf
Class 3: Knitted Scarf
Class 4: Crocheted Blanket/Afghan
Class 5: Crocheted Wearable Item, other than scarf
Class 6: Crocheted Scarf
Class 7: Cross Stitch Item
Class 8: Hooked or Punched Item
Class 9: Crewel Item
Class 10: Needlepoint Item, original design
Class 11: Needlepoint Item, from kit
Class 12: Woven Item, wearable, including scarf
Class 13: Woven Item, towels and other items
Class 14: Needle or Wet Felted Item
Class 15: Any other Fiber Art item not listed in this division. Include a description on your entry tag.

Division 17 – Quilting

• Please be sure there are no identifying marks that would allow the judges to discover the identity of the crafter.
• If an identifying mark exists within a piece, it must be covered by the exhibitor.
• In Classes 6 and 7, exhibitor should identify whether the long-arm quilting was done by the exhibitor or not.
• This division has Special Awards!

Class 1: Quilt, hand pieced, hand quilted
Class 2: Quilt, hand pieced, machine quilted
Class 3: Quilt, machine pieced, hand quilted
Class 4: Quilt, machine pieced, machine quilted
Class 5: Quilt, hand tied
Class 6: Quilt, hand pieced, long-arm quilted
Class 7: Quilt, machine pieced, long-arm quilted
Class 8:  Quilt, Appliqued or Embroidered
Class 9:  Quilt, Themed (eg. holiday, patriotic)
Class 10: Any other quilted Item, hand or machine pieced/quilted, not listed in this Division. Indicate if hand or machine pieced/quilted on your entry tag.

Division 18 – Crafts

• Unless otherwise noted, maximum size of any submitted exhibit shall not exceed 36″h x 36″w x 24″d

Class 1: Wood item, pre-manufactured, decorated by exhibitor (carving, burning, painting, staining, etc.)
Class 2: Wood item, made by the exhibitor, decorated or not
Class 3: Ceramic, Pottery, or Clay Item pre-manufactured, decorated
Class 4: Ceramic,Pottery or Clay Item, handmade
Class 5: Craft Jewelry, handmade
Class 6: Fine Jewerly, handmade
Class 7: Holiday/Seasonal Decoration (ornament, wreath, centerpiece, etc.)
Class 8: Item made from Craft felt
Class 9: Model Assembly, from kit such as truck, plane, rocket or building blocks. Building block creations must be secured on any rigid board, maximum size 15”x15”.
Class 10 Model Assembly, Original Creation. Building block creations must be secured on any rigid board, maximum size 15”x15”.
Class 11: Tie-Dye item – any fabric-based item that has been tie-dyed by exhibitor. Exhibitor may tie-dye a pre-manufactured fabric item or may tie-dye a piece of fabric then create something from that fabric.
Class 12: Other Craft Item not listed in this Division. Include a description on your entry tag.

Division 19 – Collections and Scrapbooks

Class 1: Collection of Items (stamps, dolls, bottle caps, figurines, natural items, etc.). Collection must be displayed or mounted and labeled; maximum size of 20”x 20”x 20″.
Class 2: Scrapbook, any theme, maximum size of 12”x 12”x 3″.

Photography & Fine Arts

• Photography and Fine Arts entries must be the original work of the exhibitor submitting the entry.
• Please be sure there are no identifying marks that would allow the judges to discover the identity of the exhibitor.  If an identifying mark exists within a piece, it must be covered by the exhibitor, except for Class 19 and 20.

Division 20 – Photography

• 5×7 sized photos ONLY.  Other sizes will not be accepted.
• Entries must be photographed by an amateur exhibitor.
• Do NOT frame photos.
• Photo mats may be used, but not required.
• Entry tags received during drop off must be taped, centered, on the back of the photo.
• Photos are judged on composition, impact, lighting, and simplicity.
• Entries that do not meet these requirements may be disqualified.

Class 1:  Person(s), color
Class 2:  Person(s), black and white
Class 3:  Animal(s), including insect(s), color
Class 4:  Animal(s), including insect(s), black and white
Class 5:  People/person and animal(s) combined, color
Class 6:  People/person and animal(s) combined, black and white
Class 7:  Flower(s) or other plant(s), color
Class 8:  Flower(s) or other plant(s), black and white
Class 9:   Scene, Landscape, or Architecture, color
Class 10: Scene, Landscape, or Architecture, black and white
Class 11:  Make Us Laugh, color
Class 12:  Make Us Laugh, black and white
Class 13: Sequence, color (3-5 photos)
Class 14:  Sequence, black and white (3-5 photos)
Class 15:  Loudoun County Fair scene, color
Class 16:  Loudoun County Fair scene, black and white
Class 17:  Local Loudoun County Heritage, color
Class 18:  Local Loudoun County Heritage, black and white
Class 19:  Selfies, with people, animals or landscapes, color
Class 20:  Selfies, with people, animals or landscapes, black and white
Class 21: Food-tography, color

Division 21 – Fine Arts

• Entries may be framed and/or mounted but must be ready to hang or display on a wall or tabletop easel.

Class 1:  Paint, oil
Class 2:  Paint, acrylic
Class 3:  Watercolor
Class 4:  Drawing – pastel, charcoal
Class 5:  Drawing – pencil, pen/ink, colored pencil
Class 6:  Sketchbook
Class 7:  Mixed Media / Collage
Class 8:  Digital Art
Class 9:  Other Fine Arts item not listed in this Division. Include a description on your entry tag.

  Loudoun County 4-H Youth Members Only

• Entries submitted in this category must be created solely by the exhibitor submitting the entry.
• All educational posters must be a minimum size of 14”x 22” on poster board or display board material.
• There must be a title and combination of text and visual material on display. You may use one 3” x 5” index card taped to your entry if necessary.
• Please be sure there are no identifying marks that would allow the judges to discover the identity of the exhibitor.  If an identifying mark exists, it must be covered by the exhibitor.

Division 22 – Natural Science Exhibits

Class 1: Collection of Natural Items, (insects, rocks, shells, leaves, flowers, etc.), displayed or mounted and identified by common or scientific name.
Class 2: Poster, or other Display, on a natural subject (insects, wildlife, plant-life, ecosystems, or other natural science topic)
Class 3: Handmade Bird Feeder, Bird House, Bat House, or Bee House/Habitat
Class 4: 4-H Animal Project related display
Class 5: 4-H any other Natural Science Project related display
Class 6: Science Fair project display

Division 23 – Family and Consumer Sciences

Class 1: Home Safety Display
Class 2: Vehicle Safety Display
Class 3: Farm Safety Display
Class 4: First Aid Kit for Home/Family (list each item in kit, quantity, and purpose of each item)
Class 5: First Aid Kit for Farm/Livestock/Pets (list animal species, contents of kit, and purpose of each item)
Class 6: Nutrition Display (healthy meal plan, food groups, food prep, etc.)
Class 7: Table Setting on a tray depicting a healthy meal; include a sample menu not to exceed 4″x 6″ in size
Class 8: Handmade Toy, Doll, or Puppet
Class 9: Handmade Children’s Book, Board Game or Puzzle
Class 10: Babysitter Bag (list each item in bag, quantity, and purpose of each item)

Division 24 – Project Books

Class 1: Beef project book
Class 2: Horse project book
Class 3: Rabbit project book
Class 4: Sheep project book
Class 5: Swine project book
Class 6: Goat project book
Class 7: Alpaca and Llama project book
Class 8: Poultry project book
Class 9: Dairy project book
Class 10: Any Other project book of the current project year

Division 25 – Cloverbuds

• Cloverbuds are considered non-competitive and will receive participation ribbons for their exhibits.
• Cloverbuds may only enter items in this Division and Classes.

Class 1: Artwork made by exhibitor, no larger than 14” x 22” (any type of artwork listed in Division 20)
Class 2: Craft item made by exhibitor (any type of craft listed in Division 17)
Class 3: 4 Cookies of any type
Class 4: Flower Specimen or Arrangement, any type
Class 5: Table Setting Display (One place setting plus a decorative centerpiece, to be displayed on a tray.)
Class 6: Scrapbook of any kind, not a Project Book
Class 7: Garden Vegetable, any variety (see type and quantities listed under Division 12)
Class 8: Collection of items (natural or man-made), mounted/displayed and labeled
Class 9: Cloverbud Project Book
Class 10: Any other item not listed above. Include a description on your entry tag.