Show Off Your Garden: Enter Horticulture and
Floriculture Exhibits at the County Fair
Have your flowers been blooming beautifully this summer? Is your garden producing tomatoes, onions, or cucumbers you’re especially proud of? If so, consider entering your horticulture or floriculture items in the Barton County Fair (June 25–29) or the Ellis County Fair (July 14–20)!
Entering exhibits is a fun and rewarding way to share the results of your hard work, compete for ribbons and premiums, and contribute to a favorite part of the fair—the display of locally grown produce and floral arrangements.
Who Can Enter? - Both youth and adults are welcome to participate. While 4-H members enter in designated 4-H divisions, open class is available for any community member, regardless of age or experience level. Whether you’re a longtime gardener or new to the hobby, we encourage you to give it a try!
What Can You Exhibit? - There are categories for:
• Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, carrots, onions, squash, and more.
• Fruits: Apples, peaches, berries, melons.
• Herbs: Basil, mint, parsley, and other fresh cut herbs.
• Cut Flowers: Zinnias, sunflowers, marigolds, lilies, and more.
• Floral Arrangements: Artistic designs using fresh or dried materials.
Each fair’s official fair book outlines the full list of eligible classes, exhibit guidelines, and judging criteria. Be sure to read the book carefully so you know how many specimens to bring, how they should be displayed (e.g., on a plate, in a clear glass container), and when to bring them to the fairgrounds for entry.
How to Enter:
• Check the fair book for deadlines, rules, and entry times. Fair books are available online at www.cottonwood.ksu.edu or at your local Extension office.
• Prepare your entries carefully—harvest items at peak ripeness and keep them clean and fresh.
• Bring your entries to the fairgrounds at the scheduled check-in time. Extension staff and volunteers will help you get them entered and displayed properly.
• Come back and visit your entries! It’s fun to see how they did and enjoy the work of other gardeners and floral designers.
Tips for Success
• Choose uniform, blemish-free produce or blooms.
• Handle everything gently to avoid bruising or wilting.
• Label herbs and flowers accurately.
• Use floral preservative in arrangements to keep them fresh longer.
Entering the fair is a great way to celebrate your gardening efforts and inspire others to dig in and grow. Whether you win a ribbon or not, you’ll be part of a proud tradition that highlights the beauty and bounty of our Kansas communities. We hope to see your garden’s best on display at the fair this summer!