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. 

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

Home & Creative Arts

Division 14 – Sewing
Division 15 – Fiber Arts
Division 16 – Quilting – NEW! 
Division 17 – Crafts
Division 18 – Collections and Scrapbooks

Photography & Fine Arts

Division 19 – Photography
Division 20 – Fine Arts

Loudoun County 4-H Members Only

Divison 21 – Food Nutrition Display

Division 22 – Natural Science Exhibits

Division 23 – Safety

Division 24 – Childcare
Division 25 – Project Books
Division 26 – 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 with a clear cover, such as a clamshell container, clear plastic dome, box with clear cover on all sides, 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.
• The committee may choose to apply a clear lacquer spray after judging to maintain and preserve the original appearance of entries throughout the five days of the fair.
• 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 (4 cookies, bars or brownies per entry)

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

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

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

Class 1: Fudge, any type
Class 2: Bark or Brittle
Class 3: Molded Candy, chocolate or sugar based
Class 4: Any Other Candy. Include a description on your entry tag.

Division 4 – Cupcakes (4 cupcakes per entry)

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

Division 5 – Pies (1 whole pie per entry)

Pies requiring refrigeration will not be accepted. Include a description of your pie on your 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

Refer to the bullets under the Baked Goods & Confectionery Department concerning allowable containers for all entries, including Cakes.

• Cakes in Classes 1 through 3 and Classes 5 and 6 must be layer cakes, of any shape.
• Cakes in Class 4 are loaf or Bundt cake
• All cakes are submitted whole.
• Due to lack of refrigeration, no fresh or frozen fruit garnishes are allowed on 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 in a covered, sturdy, non-returnable container, preferably with a handle.

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

 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

Division 7 – Home Canned Fruits and Vegetables

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. Describe the type of vegetable 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

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/Veg. Butter (apple butter, peach butter, pumpkin butter, etc.)
Class 4: Pint of Cucumber Pickles (any size, form, or flavor)
Class 5: Pint of any other Pickled Vegetable(s). Describe the type of pickled vegetables 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, 2024 through July 15, 2025
  and must be the product of the exhibitor’s apiary.
• All honey will be judged on cleanliness, container appearance, moisture content, and accuracy of fill.
• Chunk honey will also be judged on neatness and uniformity of cut.

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: Display of light chunk honey, one-pound clear, round, tall glass or GCI type jar
Class 4: Display of dark/medium chunk honey, one-pound clear, round, tall glass or GCI type jar

Field, Farm, and Garden

• All entries for Field, Farm and Garden must be grown solely by the exhibitor submitting the
  entry or as part of a family group garden, except for Classes 13 through 16 under Division 10.
• During Fair week, a watering can and water spritzer is 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.
• Hanging baskets will be displayed hanging and must be able to be hung.
• The overall size of container and specimen are at the discretion of the exhibitor.

Class 10: Hanging Basket (can be a single variety or multiple varieties of plants)
Class 11: Potted Plant, single variety
Class 12: Potted Virginia native plant species, single variety
Class 13: Dish Garden or Combination Pot consisting of multiple plants of one or more varieties in one container.
Class 14: 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 15: 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 16: 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.
Class 16: Best Scarecrow – must provide own support.
Class 17: Decorated Fruit or Vegetable – use toothpicks, glue, other connecting tools/substances and other craft material to decorate your fruit or vegetable to hold 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 18 Bountiful Harvest. A collection of flowers, fruits, vegetables and/or grains grown by the exhibitor and/or their family. Not to exceed 24”x24”. Display must be durable and hold
together for judging! Note that it may need to be moved after judging by volunteers for visual display during fair week.

Division 12 – Field Crops

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 13 – 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 name and location (Town, State) 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 and Creative Arts

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

Division 14 – 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.

Class 1: Blouse, Top, or Shirt
Class 2: Dress
Class 3: Pants, Shorts, or Skirt
Class 4: Sleepwear
Class 5: Accessory
Class 6: Tote Bag or Purse
Class 7: Other Apparel Item not listed in this Division. Include a description on your entry tag.
Class 8: Non-Apparel Item, excluding quilts

Division 15 – 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 and pattern used, if applicable, on a 3×5 index card.

Class 1: Knitted Blanket
Class 2: Knitted Wearable Item
Class 3: Knitted Scarf
Class 4: Crocheted Blanket/Afghan
Class 5: Crocheted Wearable Item
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: Any other Fiber Art item not listed in this division. Include a description on your entry tag.

Division 16 – 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 stitched, hand quilted.
Class 2: Quilt, hand stitched, machine quilted.
Class 3: Quilt, machine stitched, hand quilted.
Class 4: Quilt, machine stitched, machine quilted.
Class 5: Quilt, hand tied.
Class 6: Quilt, hand stitched, long-arm quilted.
Class 7: Quilt, machine stitched, long-arm quilted.
Class 8: Any other quilted Item, hand or machine stitched, not listed in this Division. Indicate if hand or machine stitched on your entry tag.

Division 17 – Crafts

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: Ceramics, pre-manufactured, decorated
Class 4: Pottery or Clay Item, handmade
Class 5: Jewelry, handmade
Class 6: Holiday Decoration for any holiday (ornament, wreath, centerpiece, etc.)
Class 7: Item made from felt
Class 8: Needle or Wet Felted Item
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”. No maximum height, but it must hold together for judging.
Class 10 Model Assembly, Original Creation. Building block creations must be secured on any rigid board, maximum size 15”x15”. No maximum height, but it must hold together for judging.
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 18 – 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”x20”.
Class 2: Scrapbook, any theme, maximum size of 12”x12”.

Photography and 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 19 – 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 not meeting these requirements may be disqualified.

Class 1:  Person(s), color
Class 2:  Person(s), black and white
Class 3:  Animal(s), including insects, color
Class 4:  Animal(s), including insects, 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 or Landscape, color
Class 10: Scene or Landscape, black and white
Class 11:  Special Event or Holiday, color
Class 12:  Special Event or Holiday, 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 Heritage (include location/ID), color
Class 18:  Local Heritage (include location/ID), 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 20 – Fine Art

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

Division 21 – Food Nutrition Display

Class 1: Food Safety or Nutrition Poster/Display (healthy meal plan, food groups, food prep, etc.)
Class 2: Table Setting on a tray depicting a healthy meal; include a sample menu, not to exceed 4”x 6” in size.

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 poster
Class 5: 4-H any other Natural Science Project related poster
Class 6: Science Fair project display

Division 23 – Safety

Class 1: Home Safety Poster/Display
Class 2: Vehicle Safety Poster/Display
Class 3: Farm Safety Poster/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)

Division 24 – Childcare

Class 1: Handmade Toy, Doll or Puppet
Class 2: Handmade Children’s Book, Board Game or Puzzle

Division 25 – 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 26 – 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.