Competitions & Exhibitions

The fair is alive with animals of all shapes and sizes. You’re sure to enjoy watching the best of the best walk off with cash prizes and blue ribbons in the Show Ring. Check out the competition ring or meander through the barns to view other fine two- and four-legged animals. A partial listing follows.

Dairy Cattle Show

From Ayrshires to Milking Shorthorns, from Guernseys to Brown Swiss, the region’s dairy cattle draw admiring glances.

Beef Cattle Show

From Angus to Herefords, from Shorthorn to Simmental, the region’s best beef cattle vie to win the championship.

Sheep

Two dozen breeds, from the better known Shetland and Merino to the more exotic Tunis and Ramboullet, fill the sheep pens.

Poultry

Open to more than 140 varieties, the poultry exhibit offers 15 sections of some very exotic looking birds: American, Mediterranean, Asiatic, English, French, Dutch, Game Bantams, Ornamental Bantams, Guineas, Ducks, Geese, Pigeons, and more.

Horses

Equestrians of all ages gather at the fair’s Open Horse Show Monday. Riders of both English and Western disciplines, juniors (age 18 and under) and adults are invited to show in three dozen classes.

Simon Cowell watch out! Columbia County residents of all ages perform talents of dance, singing, and instrumental in adult, teen and junior divisions for prizes and eligibility to compete at the NYS Fair in Syracuse.

Lager, stout, red or white…who will win best of show for overall outstanding amateur beer, wine, or cider? Our contest is open to any amateur wine, beer or cider maker, 21 years or older, who lives within 50 miles of Chatham, NY.

Enjoy the crashin’, smashin’ action of our annual Demolition Derbies with the return of Stoney Roberts. On Wednesday night, catch 4 cylinders, mini vans, mini pick-ups and mini SUVs heats plus 6 and 8 cylinders and full-size pick-ups and vans on Thursday night. Cash purse of $1,400 given out each night.

Showcasing everything from floral arrangements to baked goods to crafts and pottery. The fair’s domestic arts and crafts exhibits are greatly expanded this year, nestled in Four Corners Hall. Categories include: Canning; Baking; Fine Arts; Weaving/Basketry/Woodwork; Flowers; Hobbies/Crafts; Needlework; and Youth Division.

The best of the best farm tractors come out for thirteen classes of weights from 2,500 lbs to 11,500 lbs to battle for the best pull. Two classes, 18 and up and 14 years of age. Relax in the grandstand and see what these classic tractors can do!

With 18 entry categories, submissions range from the simple to the complex, and include original designs as well as such traditional patterns as the Log Cabin, Morning Star, Ohio Star, Trip Around the World, Double Irish Chain, and Triple Irish Chain.

The Fruits & Vegetables competition has more than 100 classes for everything from apples and pears to strawberries, squash, tomatoes, peppers, beans and oh so much more.

Our Sunflower contest will be sure to put a smile on your face as we give out prizes for the tallest sunflower plant, the largest sunflower head and most sunflowers on one stalk.

Scattered throughout the north end of the fairgrounds you will see an art skill like no other, as creative and unique scarecrows of all kinds decorate and add life to the Fair. Scarecrows are judged for originality, design, creativity, durability and neatness. This is one exhibit you can’t miss!

Move over Cinderella, you have competition! Our new giant pumpkin contest hands out prizes to the largest pumpkins grown in Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Dutchess  and Berkshire Counties. Minimum pumpkin weight is 75lbs to compete.

A trip to the fair isn’t complete without visiting the little Red School House, with its grand display of art work by area students. A favorite must-see exhibit, all local schools participate, pre-school youngsters through high school seniors.

Tradition marches on as young women compete in the 81st annual Columbia County School Girl Queen Contest. With judging based on personality, poise, and appearance, contestants from all-six public schools in the county vie for cash prizes in this competition filled with school spirit.

Calling all amateur shutter bugs! Whether you enjoy photographing landscapes or livestock, people or parades, display your best shot taken in Columbia County. Cash prizes and ribbons are awarded by a panel of professional photographers based on creativity, composition, impact, story-telling, technical quality, and presentation. (Professionals may submit photographs for display but are not eligible to compete).

No judging…just enjoy displays of gardening, cut flowers and fresh plant material including house plants, herbs, vegetables, flowers, grass and cacti presented by Columbia County Garden Clubs. Simply breathtaking!

Premiums awarded by to any Columbia County unit of the Boy Scouts of America for the best Troop Exhibit and Outdoor Exhibit, in three classes for boys, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers and six classes for girls, Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassadors.

After the kids get through playing with the little lambs in the sheep barn, they can see the sheep shearing. Then, they can see the finished product beautifully displayed. Experts are on hand to answer questions all day, every day.

The one and only eating contest that’s good for your diet. How fast can you eat a slice of melon? If you’re the fastest in your age group, you will be awarded a trophy. Maybe you’ll be top seed.

Our annual ice cream eating contest welcomes all takers – men, women and children. All they need is a hearty appetite and a love of ice cold ICE CREAM. It’s great fun and gives new meaning to the phrase “brain-freeze.”

Enjoy collective exhibits by Granges, Youth and Pomona Granges of farm and garden produce, fruit, baked goods, vegetables, canned goods, grains and grasses, poultry, dairy products, honey, sewing and needlework. Scoring of exhibits is based on magnetism, freshness and perfection produce and display appearance.

Led by skilled adult volunteers of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties, diverse youth from both counties exhibit their club creations and project work or show their livestock in friendly competition throughout the 6-day fair.