Department 12-16: Hay & Grain, Vegetables, Fruits & Nuts, Home Produced/Baked Goods, & Christmas Tree Exhibits

Event Day and Date
JudgingRefer to specific class in entry form for date and time of judging.
Deadline for all entriesAugust 1
Drop OffRefere to specific class in entry form for drop off dates and times.
Pick-UpSunday, Aug. 20 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm for all departments. Please bring your claim ticket.
Contact Name Phone Email
SuperintendentKim Johnson570-222-4952[email protected]

Department Rules

Exhibitors must adhere to the General Rules for the Harford Fair listed here.

Department 12: Hay & Grains

Drop off for Dept. 12 All Sections: Friday August 11th 10:00 AM-6:00 PM & Saturday, August 12th 8:00 AM-12 Noon

Judging will be Saturday, August 12 at 2:00pm.

Section 1 - Grain and Seed Crops

  1. Field Corn - 10 ears, dried.
  2. Sweet Corn - 10 ears, dried.
  3. Ornamental or Indian Corn -10 ears, dried.
  4. Popcorn - 10 ears, dried.
  5. Field Corn - 6 stalks
  6. Silage Corn - 6 stalks
  7. Sunflower - Largest Head
  8. Sunflower - Tallest Stalk with Flower
  9. Oats
  10. Wheat
  11. Winter Barley
  12. Other Small Grain (by type) Grains shall be from last year and exhibited in glass jars.

Section 2 - Hay - Long Hay only (exhibit shall consist of a bale section 8-10” thick)

  1. Alfalfa or Alfalfa grass mixed – first cutting. Not over 50% grass.
  2. Alfalfa or Alfalfa grass mixed – later cuttings. Not over 50% grass.
  3. Other legumes or legume/grass mixtures. Not over 50% grass.
  4. Grass – first cutting. Not more than 10% legumes.
  5. Grass – second cutting. Not more than 10% legumes.
  6. Mixed Hay not classified above.
  7. Summer annual grasses. (Sudan Grass, Sorghum-Sudan, Hybrids, etc.)

Section 3 - Silage - Crop must be named. Exhibits shall consist of 10 lbs. displayed in clear Zip-lock bags.

  1. Perennial Crops – direct cut with or without preservatives.
  2. Perennial Crops – wilted or low moisture, with or without preservatives.
  3. Annuals other than corn – direct cut.
  4. Annuals other than corn – wilted or low moisture
  5. Corn Silage.

Section 6 - Scarecrow Contest

  1. All scarecrows should be made to stand alone. Scarecrows shall not be taller than 6’, nor shorter than 3’ and may not exceed 3’ in diameter. All scarecrows must have a plain or happy face. Use one or more natural materials listed in Dept. 12. Accessories are permitted.

THERE WILL BE NO EGGS EXHIBITED AT THE 2023 HARFORD FAIR DUE TO AVIAN INFLUENZA.

Department 8, Section 7: Eggs

Entry deadline: August 1
Egg entries are judged and displayed in the Vegetable Hall. Drop off for egg entries in the Vegetable Hall is Friday, August 12th from 10:00am-6:00pm or Saturday, August 13th from 8:00am-12:00noon.
Judging will be on Saturday, August 13th at 2:00pm
Use Poultry Entry Blank or enter online – one owner per form – limit one dozen eggs per class, per exhibitor.
Exhibit eggs in a commercial egg carton. Premiums: $3.50, $2.50, $1.50

Class:
1. Best Dozen Brown Eggs
2. Best Dozen White Eggs
3. Best Dozen, other color eggs

4. Dozen Eggs, any color, in decorative container

5. Dozen Eggs, other than standard chickens (e.g. turkey, ducks, guinea, or bantam). Specify kind.

 

Department 13: Vegetables

  1. To enter: go to www.harfordfair.com and click on the link and follow the directions to enter online or use general entry blank below.
  2. Drop off for Dept. 13 All Sections: Friday August 11th 10:00 AM-6:00 PM & Saturday, August 12th 8:00 AM-12 Noon.
  3. Judging will be on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 2:00 pm
  • Choose specimens for exhibit that would bring the highest market price. Do not select the largest, select medium size specimens. If at all possible, do not mix varieties. All vegetables must be grown by exhibitor.
  • The following criteria are generally used by an expert vegetable judge:
    a. Condition and maturity. Be sure that exhibits are of high quality.
    b. Trueness to variety type.
    c. Uniformity in shape, size, & color.
    d. Uniformity in maturity. Never mix specimens of different maturity.
    e. Perfect specimens with no blemishes. Protect specimens from dirt, disease, infection & mechanical damage.
  • Read the premium material, carefully follow all rules and regulations. If an entry calls for five specimens, be sure to exhibit
    that number. Improper entries will be subject to disqualification.
  • Provide your own containers.
  • Eggs will be displayed in Vegetable Hall, but will be entered as part of the Poultry Dept. 8. See above for rules. Egg entries can be dropped off at the Vegetable Hall on Saturday, August 12 from 8:00 am until 12:00noon, and will be judged Saturday afternoon.

Department 14: Fruit & Nuts

  1. To enter: go to www.harfordfair.com and click on the link and follow the directions to enter online or use general entry blank below.
  2. Drop off for Dept. 14 All Sections: Friday August 11th 10:00 AM-6:00 PM & Saturday, August 12th 8:00 AM-12 Noon.
  3. Judging will be on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 2:00 pm
  • In selecting fruit for exhibition, choose such specimens that would bring the highest market price. Do not select the largest. Select a medium size, as nearly alike as possible.
  • Premiums will be awarded only when the exhibit complies with the standard, is meritorious, and properly named.
  • The following score is to be used as a basis for the judging of all plate exhibits:
  1. Form (natural shape of variety)
  2. Size (medium for the variety)
  3. Color
  4. Uniformity
  5. Freedom from Blemish

Department 15: Section 1: Home Produced Goods

Section 1 – Baked Products

  1. Drop off for Section 1: Baked Products is Sunday, August 13, 2023 from 8:00 am until 12:00 noon.
  2. Limit of one (1) item in each class. All products must have been made by the exhibitor.
  3. Judging for Section 1: Baked Products will begin soon after all baked goods are on the grounds on Sunday, August 13, 2023.
  4. Pick up is Sunday, August 20 from 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Select pies and cakes will be sold at auction.
  5. Copies of recipes are required for the State Contest Entries ONLY (Blue Ribbon Apple Pie, Homemade Chocolate Cake, Angel Food Cake, and Junior PA Preferred Brownies, Cookies, Bars). DO NOT SUBMIT RECIPES FOR OTHER CLASSES.
  6. Please see entry form below for additional classes and rules.

Angel Food Cake Contest Rules

Prizes for the Harford Fair: 1st place - $120.00, 2nd place - $55.00, 3rd place - $25
The first-place winner at the Harford Fair is eligible to enter the 2024 PA Farm Show competition.
Premiums for the Angel Food Cake Winners at the 2024 PA Farm Show are: 1st place - $500.00, 2nd place - $250.00, 3rd place - $100.00
Sponsors at the PA Farm Show: Pennsylvania’s Egg Farmers & PA State Association of County Fairs

2022 Harford Fair Angel Food Cake Winner: Laura Pert, Hallstead

Rules:
1. Open to any individual amateur baker who is a Pennsylvania resident. One entry per person.
2. Entrants may NOT have won 1st place in this Angel Food Contest at any other Fair in 2023.
3. Entire entry must be an Angel Food Cake made from “scratch.” No prepackaged ingredients may be used. All ingredients and decorations must be edible.
4. Pennsylvania produced and packed eggs are requested to be used, if possible. Please look for the PEQAP or PA packaging dates on the carton.
5. The entire cake must be submitted for judging on cardboard or other food safe disposable setting. All pans, plates, and dishes are considered disposable, and will not be returned.
6. Recipe(s) listing the ingredients and the preparation instructions must be submitted with the entry. (Printed on one-side of 8.5x11” size paper). Entrant’s name, address, and phone number must be printed on the back of all of the pages. All recipes and cakes will become the property of the Harford Fair or PA Farm Show and will not be returned.
7. Refrigeration is not available at the Harford Fair or PA Farm Show. Entries that require refrigeration after baking must indicate so in the recipe. These entries will not be sold, auctioned, or otherwise distributed for consumption after judging for food safety reasons.
8. Judging will be based on the following criteria:
a) Flavor (smell, taste, flavoring) 30 points
b) Inside characteristics (texture and lightness) 25 points
c) Overall appearance (surface, size, and color) 20 points
d) Creativity 15 points
e) Topping, Icing, or Decoration 10 points
Total 100 points

Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest

Prizes for the Harford Fair: 1st place - $120.00, 2nd place - $55.00, 3rd place - $25
The first-place winner at the Harford Fair is eligible to enter the 2024 PA Farm Show competition.
Premiums for the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest at the 2024 PA Farm Show are:
1st place - $500.00, 2nd place - $250.00, 3rd place - $100.00, 4th place – ribbon, 5th place - ribbon
Sponsor at the PA Farm Show: PA State Association of County Fairs

2022 Harford Fair Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Winner: Jeannie Bucksbee, Carbondale, PA

Rules:
1. Open to any individual amateur baker who is a Pennsylvania resident. One entry per person.
2. Entrants may NOT have won 1st place in the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest at any other Fair in 2023.
3. Entire entry must be made from scratch. No pre-packaged ingredients may be used. All ingredients and decorations must be edible.
4. Recipe must include at least 60% apples in the filling. It does not need to be a “traditional” two crusted apple pie and it can have a variety of fillings.
5. The entire pie must be submitted for judging in a food safe disposable pie pan. All pans, plates, and dishes are considered disposable, and will not be returned.
6. The recipe for the pie and the pie crust must be submitted with the entry. (Printed on one-side of 8.5x11” size paper). Entrant’s name, address, and phone number must be printed on the back side of all of the pages. The recipe must include all ingredients, quantities, and the preparation instructions. All recipes and cakes will become the property of the Harford Fair or PA Farm Show and will not be returned.
7. Refrigeration is not available at the Harford Fair or PA Farm Show. Entries that require refrigeration after baking must indicate so in the recipe. These entries will not be sold, auctioned, or otherwise distributed for consumption after judging for food safety reasons.
8. Judging will be based on the following criteria:
a) Flavor 30 points
b) Filling (consistency, doneness, moistness & flavor) 25 points
c) Crust (color, flavor, texture, & doneness) 20 points
d) Overall appearance 15 points
e) Creativity 10 points
Total 100 points

Homemade Chocolate Cake Contest

Prizes for the Harford Fair: 1st place - $120.00, 2nd place - $55.00, 3rd place - $25

The first-place winner at the Harford Fair is eligible to enter the 2024 PA Farm Show competition.
Premiums for the Homemade Chocolate Cake Contest at the 2024 PA Farm Show are:
1st place - $500.00, 2nd place - $250.00, 3rd place - $100.00
Sponsor at the PA Farm Show: PA State Association of County Fairs

2022 Harford Fair Homemade Chocolate Cake Winners: Jessica Raub, New Milford

Rules:
1. Open to any individual amateur baker who is a Pennsylvania resident. One entry per person.
2. Entrants may NOT have won 1st place in the Homemade Chocolate Cake Contest at any other Fair in 2023.
3. Entire entry must be made from scratch. No pre-packaged ingredients may be used. All ingredients and decorations must be edible.
4. Cake recipe must feature chocolate or cocoa as a main ingredient.
5. Entry must be a layered chocolate cake.
6. Entry must be frosted and frosting must be made from scratch. No pre-packaged frosting.
7. The entire cake must be submitted for judging on cardboard or other food safe disposable setting. All pans, plates, and dishes are considered disposable, and will not be returned.
8. The recipe must be submitted with the entry, printed on one side of an 8.5x11” paper. Recipe must list all ingredients, quantities, and the preparation instructions. Entrant’s name, address, and phone number must be printed on the back side of all the pages. All recipes and cakes will become the property of the Harford Fair or PA Farm Show and will not be returned.
9. Refrigeration is not available at the Harford Fair or PA Farm Show. Entries that require refrigeration after baking must indicate so in the recipe. These entries will not be sold, auctioned, or otherwise distributed for consumption after judging for food safety reasons.
10. Judging will be based on the following criteria:
a) Flavor (aroma, taste, good balance of flavoring) 30 points
b) Texture (moist & tender crumb, not soggy or dry) 25 points
c) Inside characteristics (even grain, evenly baked, free from air pockets) 20 points
d) Outside characteristics (consistent shape, size, and surface, overall appeal) 15 points
e) Frosting (taste, texture, and even color) 10 points
Total 100 points

PA Preferred Junior Baking Contest - Cookies, Brownies and Bars

The goal of the PA Preferred™ Junior Baking Contest is to encourage young people across the Commonwealth to participate in Pennsylvania's agricultural fairs by showcasing Pennsylvania grown and produced products in their contest entries.

Prizes for the Harford Fair: 1st place - $120.00, 2nd place - $55.00, 3rd place - $25
The first-place winner at the Harford Fair is eligible to enter the 2024 PA Farm Show competition.
Premiums for the Junior Baking Contest at the PA Farm Show are:
1st place - $500.00, 2nd place - $250.00, 3rd place - $100.00
Sponsors: PA PreferredTM & Lackawanna College – the School of Petroleum & Natural Gas

2022 Harford Fair PA Preferred Junior Baking Contest Winner: Bayleigh Brennan, Fell Twp.

Rules:
1. Participant must be an individual amateur baker, ages 8 through 18 at the time of the Harford Fair’s conest, who is a Pennsylvania resident. One entry per person.
2. Entrants may NOT have won 1st place in the PA PreferredTM Junior Baking Contest at any other Fair in 2023.
3. Entry must be a plate of six (6) individual sized portions of the baked entry item.
4. Entire entry must be made from scratch. No pre-packaged ingredients may be used. All ingredients and decorations must be edible.
5. At least two (2) PA PreferredTM ingredients or locally purchased ingredients must be used in the recipe. Some examples of qualifying ingredients include grains such as oats or flour, butter, milk, eggs, fruits, and/or vegetables.
6. A PA Preferred logo is not required because not all PA Preferred products carry the label. The name of the ingredient and the source is sufficient. Contact RA-AGPA[email protected] for any assistance with qualifying ingredients.
7. Entry must be submitted for judging on a food safe disposable setting. All pans, plates, and dishes are considered disposable, and will not be returned.
8. Recipe(s) must be submitted with the entry, printed on one side of an 8.5x11” paper. Recipe must list all ingredients, quantities, and the preparation instructions. The name of each PA Preferred ingredient or locally purchased ingredient must be clearly listed along with the source that made/grew the product. Example: PA Preferred Milk – Galliker’s Brand or Apples – Smith Farm Orchards. Entrant’s name, address, age, and phone number must be printed on the back side of all the pages. All recipes and cookies-brownies-bars will become the property of the Harford Fair or PA Farm Show and will not be returned.
9. A PA PreferredTM logo is not required because not all PA PreferredTM products carry the label. The name of the ingredient and the source is sufficient. For a list of acceptable products, visit papreferred.com. Additionally PA PreferredTM Staff will assist in located PA PreferredTM products, as needed.
10. Refrigeration is not available at the Harford Fair or PA Farm Show. Entries that require refrigeration after baking must indicate so in the recipe. These entries will not be sold, auctioned, or otherwise distributed for consumption after judging for food safety reasons.
11. Judging will be based on the following criteria:
a) Flavor (aroma, taste, good balance of flavoring) 30 points
b) Texture (appropriate for the type of cookie, brownie, or bar) 25 points
c) Inside characteristics (even grain, evenly baked, free from air pockets) 20 points
d) Outside characteristics (uniform size, shape appearance, overall appeal) 15 points
e) Creativity 10 points
Total 100 points

Department 15: Section 2: Canned or Dried Products

 

  1. Drop off:  Friday August 11th 10:00 AM-6:00 PM & Saturday, August 12th 8:00 AM-12 Noon.
  2. Judging will be on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 2:00pm.
  3. Canned fruits and vegetables will be judged on quality, general appearance, and container.
  4. Containers shall be standard clear glass: one quart or one pint.
  5. Containers may be opened for judging.
  6. Do NOT use decorative accessories.

Department 15: Section 2: Butter, Jams, Jellies, Marmalades, Preserves, & Fruit Syrups

  1. One standard jelly glass with removable lid.
  2. Judged on appearance, consistency, taste & neatness of package.
  3. Do NOT use decorative accessories.
  4. May be opened for judging.
  5. Jams & Jellies must be sealed

Department 16: Christmas Trees

 

  1. Drop off:  Friday August 11th 10:00 AM-6:00 PM & Saturday, August 12th 8:00 AM-12 Noon.
  2. Judging will be on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 2:00pm.
  3. Trees to be exhibited shall be within the 6-8 foot height range, measuring from the bottom of the handle to the top of the tip.
  4. No trees may be exhibited that have been sprayed with or have artificial color or other chemicals added in any matter.
  5. No trees may be exhibited with limbs or foliage added that did not grow naturally in place.
  6. Trees may be naturally grown or sheared and shaped by exhibitors.
  7. No holders should accompany trees. All trees will be supported in like manner.
  8. Please give species of tree when entering.

Enter Online Here

Download the entry form.