Fair encourages creative energy to flow

By Karissa Condoianis

The State Fair of Texas is excited to announce that the 2021 Creative Arts Handbook and registration for the 2021 Creative Arts contests are now available online. While many of us are still spending more time at home than usual, entering a Creative Arts competition is the perfect way for you and the whole family to channel your creative energy. Whether you are new to the crafting world or consider yourself a Creative Arts veteran, the State Fair offers a wide variety of contests for participants on both ends of the spectrum. In addition to traditional fan favorites like jewelry making, jelly canning, holiday decorating and everything in between, Creative Arts has added three familiar, but new departments: Glue-a-Shoe, The Great Pumpkin Challenge and Mini Butter Sculpture. What are you waiting for? You could be one of the first fairgoers to have your mini butter sculpture on display for the 2021 State Fair of Texas!

With different age groups and a variety of contests to choose from, the whole family can spend time together crafting.
Photos courtesy of the State Fair of Texas

With more than 1,100 categories in 15 different departments of pre-Fair contests, as well as daily competitions taking place during the Fair, amateurs and professionals of all ages have endless opportunities to showcase their creative talents. Contest departments include: Fine Art; Ceramics and Hand-Painted China; Designer Craftsman; Dolls; Foods (Canning); Hobby Collections; Holiday Corner; Needlepoint, Crewel, and Counted Cross Stitch; Needlework and Sewing; Afghans, Rugs, Quilts, and Bedspreads; Photography; Scale Models; Glue-a-Shoe; The Great Pumpkin Challenge; and Mini Butter Sculpture. Registration for the 2021 pre-Fair contests is now open online, with a deadline of Monday, July 26 to submit online entry forms and fees. Contestants can submit their entries via mail by July 26 or hand deliver items to the Creative Arts building. In the weeks following, entries will be judged, and contestants will be notified once the results are finalized. Entries that are awarded a ribbon will be on display during the 2021 State Fair of Texas.

For the second year Creative Arts will utilize an online registration system. The registration portal allows for the creation of a family account, which allows adults in the household to create additional contestants on the account and register any youth contestants. Youth contestants will have their own designated entries for the Creative Arts competitions, but all communications regarding those entries are sent to the primary adult on the account. For all arts & crafts contest details, download the 2021 Creative Arts Handbook at BigTex.com.