From hand-stitched quilts and evocative photographs to carefully judged honey and imaginative floral displays, the competitive exhibits at the San Diego County Fair are once again set to highlight the depth of creativity across the county.
Held annually at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the 2026 Fair will run from June 10 through July 5 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), continuing a tradition that dates to 1880. With entry deadlines already underway, organizers are calling on artists, bakers, growers, and makers of all skill levels to participate in competition that remains central to the Fair’s identity.
This year’s theme, “Once Upon a Fair,” emphasizes storytelling across all categories — from Fine Art and Photography to Home Arts, Agriculture, and Student Showcase entries. Whether expressed through paint, fiber, food, or flowers, each submission becomes part of a larger narrative unfolding across the fairgrounds.
“Whether you want to admire others’ talents, learn from them, or share your own skills with the world, the San Diego County Fair has opportunities for you,” said Carlene Moore, CEO of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which produces the Fair. “Our Fair is an opportunity to be part of something meaningful — and something that people truly cherish.”
In Home Arts & Hobbies, one of the Fair’s most expansive divisions, participation continues to grow. Coordinator Veronica Navarro said the range of entries spans multiple categories, with particularly strong interest in quilts, jams, cookies, and collections.
“We do have a wide range of entries, which include not just one, but multiple categories,” Navarro said. “Our most popular divisions within those categories are quilts, jams, cookies, and collections. We get well over 100 entries for each one.”
Despite the variety, entries are judged within their own categories to ensure fairness, even as some divisions require comparisons across techniques. Navarro said that storytelling is often embedded in the work itself.
“Every entry has a story,” she said. “We hear them every day during fair time … If we know the story behind an entry, we share it with other fairgoers. In some ways, we are also storytellers and have been for years.”
In Photography, coordinator Amethel Parel-Sewell said emotional impact is just as important as technical execution.
An award-winning image, she said, “moves you and stirs your emotions — joy, awe, serenity, sympathy, or curiosity — and invites you to pause.”
Judges also evaluate composition, lighting, originality, and presentation, with youth entries judged separately under the “Through the Eyes of Youth” division.
“This year’s theme, ‘Once Upon a Fair,’ is one of the 38 categories we have in the Exhibition of Photography,” Parel-Sewell said. “We can’t wait to see how storytelling and literacy have inspired them.”
Agricultural competitions bring a more technical lens. Entries in honey and produce are judged on measurable qualities as well as presentation.
“We look at moisture content, clarity, and presentation,” said Agriculture Programs coordinator Katie Ostrander. “Honey is also evaluated by color classification — light, medium, and dark — each reflecting different floral sources across San Diego County.”
She said that produce competitions range from traditional specimen judging to more unusual categories: “This is where carrots grow legs, potatoes resemble Abraham Lincoln, and squash are large enough to sail the seven seas,” Ostrander said.
Floral and garden exhibits similarly blend science and creativity. Specimen blooms are evaluated for horticultural excellence, while floral design entries are judged on balance, creativity, and interpretation of the theme. Garden entries — from container plants to full landscape displays — are assessed across varying sizes and setups, allowing both novice and experienced growers to participate.
In Fine Art, coordinator Collette King said the most compelling works combine technique with meaning: “The works that stand out are those that demonstrate technical proficiency as well as conceptual framing,” she said.
Jewelry and metalwork entries continue to evolve, with artists incorporating mixed metals and alternative materials, reflecting both creative trends and rising material costs.
Student participation remains a cornerstone of the program as Estella Vazquez, coordinator of the Student Showcase, said the experience extends beyond competition.
“Seeing your work on display at the Fair helps build confidence,” she said.
“Kids are proud to show their work to family and friends.”
Across all divisions, entrants receive more than the chance to win ribbons or cash awards. Participants are given free Fair admission, feedback from experienced judges, and the opportunity to have their work displayed to hundreds of thousands of visitors.
As deadlines approach and submissions continue to arrive, organizers say the exhibits reflect what the Fair has long represented — a place where everyday creativity is recognized, shared, and celebrated.
For more information visit: sdfair.com/entry
REMAINING DEADLINE COMPETITIONS
ARTS & CRAFTS COMPETITION
Clothing & Fashion, May 4
Collections & Hobbie, May 4
Decorative Arts & Crafts, May 4
Needle & Fiber Arts, May 4
Quilts May 4
Woodworking May 4
CULINARY COMPETITIONS
Baked goods & Confections, June 1
Decorated food & Liqueurs, June 1
Honey, June 1
Preserved foods. June 1
FLORAL COMPETITIONS
Container plants, May 8
Patio gardens, May 8
Landscpae gardens, May 8
Specimen blooms, varied
Floral design, varied
Produce, varied
YOUTH & STUDENT COMPETITIONS
Home arts/creative youth (age 5-17), May 4
SCHOOLS & CLASSROOMS
Elementary School—Best of K-6th, June 1
Student showcase—Middle school, June 1
Student showcase—high school, June 1
Student showcase—College & Continuing Education, June 1
