Competitive Exhibits
Wisconsin State Fair hosts a wide variety of contests where exhibitors enter an item, such as a quilt, pie, artwork or wine, for judging to be the best of the best.
Competitions are available for amateurs – those who create for fun or as part of a hobby – and for professionals or small businesses – those that earn monetary compensation for their products.
See below for the various types of competitions held at the State Fair.
Competitions for Amateurs
Amateur Beer
This contest includes over 100 classes for American, British, Belgian, German, and Specialty beers plus over 20 additional classes for Meads and Ciders.
Amateur Photography
Do you love to take pictures for fun or as part of a hobby? Then enter your best shots in the Amateur Photography Competition at the State Fair!
Amateur Wine
This contest includes over 20 classes for Dry, Semi-Sweet, and Sweet Wines plus special classes for Novelty, Sparkling and Fortified Wines.
Culinary
Do you love baking and cooking for fun or as part of a hobby? Then enter your best recipes in the Culinary Competitions at the State Fair! Contests include canning, breads, cookies, pies, cakes, decorated cakes and culinary challenge!
Horticulture
Do you have a green thumb and love growing flowers or vegetables in your backyard for fun or as part of a hobby? Then enter your best blooms and veggies in the Horticulture Competition at the State Fair! Contests include amateur horticulture, dahlia, gladiolus, vegetable and society show challenges!
Quilting
Do you love to make quilts for friends, family or as part of a hobby? The State Fair competition is the perfect place to show off your skills and earn prizes!
Textile & Craft
Do you love sewing, knitting, crocheting, DIY home décor or making crafts for fun or as part of a hobby? Then enter your best items in the Textile & Craft Competition at the State Fair!
Competitions for Professionals & Small Businesses
Dairy Products
These contests celebrate the licensed dairy manufacturing facilities across the State of Wisconsin. Contests are available for cheese, butter, yogurt, sour cream, fluid milk, and custard.
Fairtastic Poster Art Competition
The Wisconsin State Fairtastic Poster Art Competition is a way to celebrate and engage local and statewide artisan talent. 2024's winning piece was created by Jeff Sadowski of Brookfield, Wisconsin and can be purchased at during the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair.
Grand Champion Eats & Treats
This professional food competition for pickles, relishes, preserves, sauces, dairy mixes, fruits & vegetables, fermented products, sweets, treats, beverages, appetizers and snack foods is open to Wisconsin’s small professional food businesses with yearly sales under $1,000,000.
Honey Products
These contests celebrate honey producers across the State of Wisconsin. Contests are available for liquid honey, creamed honey, comb section honey, and natural beeswax products.
Meat Products
These contests celebrate the licensed meat processing facilities across the State of Wisconsin. Contests are available for bacon, bone-in ham, summer sausage, snack sausage, bratwurst and specialty cured meat product.
Plein Air at the Fair
Open to all artists, the Plein Air at the Fair competition challenges artist to create artwork onsite at the Wisconsin State Fair of scenes throughout the event.
