From Holstein and Ayrshires to Milking Shorthorns and Jerseys, and from Guernseys to Brown Swiss, the region’s dairy cattle draw admiring glances.

Special***USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. Decorate your stall in a USA (RedWhiteBlue) theme, we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus, with the fan favorite award. Best decorated STALL!***

From Angus to Herefords, from Shorthorn to Simmental, the region’s best beef cattle vie to win the championship.

Special
***USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. Decorate your stall in a USA (RedWhiteBlue) theme, we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus, with the fan favorite award. Best decorated STALL!***

Two dozen breeds, from the better known Shetland and Merino to the more exotic Tunis and Ramboullet, fill the sheep pens.

Special
*** USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. Decorate your stall in a USA (RedWhiteBlue) theme, we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus, with the fan favorite award. Best decorated STALL!***

After the kids get through playing with the little lambs in the sheep barn, they can see finished wool products beautifully displayed.

Special
*** USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But if your Item theme is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!***

From American Standards to Bantams, from Geese to Turkeys, this bunch is really something to cluck about.

The Demolition Derby Finale: Bring out your old 6 and 8 cylinders and full-size pick-ups and vans and run hard for the cash purse of $1,500. Best Appearance Theme:

Got road rage? You might want to get in on a night of crashin’, smashin’ action at the Demolition Derby! Enter your old 4 cylinders, mini vans, mini pick-ups and mini SUVs to win the cash purse of $1,500. Best Appearance Theme:

Creative and unique scarecrows of all kinds decorate and add life to the Fair. Scarecrows are judged for originality, design, creativity, durability and neatness.

Special
***USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division, and class. BUT if your scarecrow theme is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus! ***

Collective exhibits by Granges, Youth and Pomona Granges of farm and garden produce, fruit, baked goods, vegetables, canned goods, grains and grasses, poultry, dairy products, honey, sewing and needlework. Scoring of exhibits is based on magnetism, freshness and perfection produce and display appearance.

Special
*** USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But if your item theme is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus! ***

Enter the fruits of your labor! The Fruits competition has more than 40 classes of everything from apples and pears to strawberries and more, all judged by freedom of blemishes, color, size, form, and condition.

Special
***USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But if your entry is in division 8 or 9 with a theme of USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!***

Vegetables from B to T (basil to turnip) will be on display in Harvest Hall. Enter to win, or simply enjoy the healthy bounty harvested by our local neighbors.

Special
***USA-Happy Birthday (250th)category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But, if you enter in Division 2-Class 84-89 in a theme of USA (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!***

Move over Cinderella, you have competition! Our giant pumpkin contest hands out prizes to the largest pumpkins grown in Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Dutchess and Berkshire Counties. Minimum pumpkin weight is 75lbs to compete.

Led by skilled adult volunteers of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia County, diverse youth from Columbia County exhibit their club creations and project work or show their livestock in friendly competition throughout the 6-day fair. For information, visit http://ccecolumbiagreene.org/4-h-and-youth-development

Tradition marches on as young students compete in the 84th annual Columbia County School Queen Contest. With judging based on personality, poise, and appearance, contestants from all-six public schools in the county vie for cash prizes in this competition filled with school spirit.

Premiums awarded by to any Columbia County unit of the Boy Scouts of America for the best Troop Exhibit and Outdoor Exhibit, in three classes for boys, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers. Special *** USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But if your Item theme is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!*** 

Premiums awarded by to any Columbia County unit of the Girl Scouts of America for the best Troop Exhibit and Outdoor Exhibit, in six classes for girls, Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassadors.

Special *** USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But if your Item theme is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!***

A trip to the fair isn’t complete without visiting the little Red School House, with its grand display of art work by area students. A favorite must-see exhibit, all local schools participate, pre-school youngsters through high school seniors. SPECIAL: USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But if your Item theme is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!

NEW for 2026 Open to the public, anyone can bring their street trucks to the Fair and strut their towing power in the Grandstand opening night of the Fair. Five classes. Real competition, real excitement. To enter, download application, print and fill out. Return via mail or in person to the main fair office with payment in cash or check form.  Payment via credit card must be paid in person at the fair office.

With 18 entry categories, submissions range from the simple to the complex, and include original designs as well as such traditional patterns as the Log Cabin, Morning Star, Ohio Star, Trip Around the World, Double Irish Chain, and Triple Irish Chain. Special: USA- Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But, if your quilted item is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!

Showcasing everything from floral arrangements to baked goods to crafts and pottery. The fair’s domestic arts and crafts exhibits are greatly expanded this year, nestled in Four Corners Hall. Categories include: Canning; Baking; Fine Arts; Weaving/Basketry/Woodwork; Flowers; Hobbies/Crafts; Needlework; and Youth Division.

Special ***USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But if your item theme is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!***

The best of the best farm tractors come out for thirteen classes of weights from 2,500 lbs to 11,500 lbs to battle for the best pull. Relax in the grandstand and see what these classic tractors can do!

Calling all amateur shutter bugs! Whether you enjoy photographing landscapes or livestock, people or parades, display your best shot taken in Columbia County. Cash prizes and ribbons are awarded by a panel of professional photographers based on creativity, composition, impact, story-telling, technical quality, and presentation. Professionals may submit photographs for display but are not eligible to compete.

Special
*** USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But if your photograph theme is USA, RedWhiteBlue, we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!***

The one and only eating contest that’s good for your diet. How fast can you eat a slice of melon? If you’re the fastest in your age group, you will be awarded a trophy. Maybe you’ll be top seed.

Our annual ice cream eating contest welcomes all takers – men, women and children. All they need is a hearty appetite and a love of ice cold ICE CREAM. It’s great fun and gives new meaning to the phrase “brain-freeze.”

Get your sweet tooth on and enter the new Cookie Contest!  Kids and adults of any age, inexperienced and experienced bakers are all eligible to enter. All baked goods must be made in a home kitchen and all entries must have one key ingredient in the recipe…chocolate chips! Can you say YUMMMMMMMM?

Calling all decorators… cookie decorators that is! All cookies are to be round in shape and less than 3 inches. The challenge is to showcase at least 2 different ways to decorate a cookie based on one cut-out shape.

Special

USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division, and class. BUT if your cookie design theme is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus! 

Simon Cowell watch out! Columbia County residents of all ages perform talents of dance, singing, and instrumental in adult, teen and junior divisions for prizes.

Our Sunflower contest will be sure to put a smile on your face as we give out prizes for the tallest sunflower plant, the largest sunflower head and most sunflowers on one stalk.

Lager, stout, red or white…who will win best of show for overall outstanding amateur beer, wine, or cider? Our contest is open to any amateur wine, beer or cider maker, 21 years or older, who lives within 50 miles of Chatham, NY.

Let’s get creative! Take an item or items and create a new and different garment. Your original items can be anything you want, but they may only be turned into garments or wearable accessories, houseware items or other items to qualify as “new” items for this contest. The source item(s) must have had a previous “life” as a completed, existing item. UFOs (unfinished objects) and scraps do not qualify as completed items and cannot be used as the original item (fabric source). More than one source item can be used to create the final product. 

Special
***USA-Happy Birthday (250th) category for the occasion. Enter as you normally would in your division and class. But if your upcycle item theme is USA, (RedWhiteBlue) we’ll add you into a special category to win an added bonus!***