Superintendent:
Laurel Steinhauser
860-398-9081
lsteinhauser@gmail.com
Mail Entries to:
Laurel Steinhauser
56 Prospect Street
Portland, CT 06480
Subject: Portland Fair
“Agriculture: Together We Grow Celebrating 250 Years of Progress in Agriculture”
– Agriculture Council of America
For 250 years our country has had dirt under its nails, and we couldn’t be more proud of it! From backyard gardeners to family farms, agriculture has always been at the heart of our community. This year’s fair celebrates that rich tradition through the hands-on skills passed down through generations – the perfectly preserved jam, the prize-winning bloom, the lovingly knitted garment. Whether you’re a lifelong farmer or a first time exhibitor these exhibits remind us that growing things together is what keeps our community thriving.
Look for these special Themed Entries throughout the Crafts & Community Tent
| Baking | Trashion Show | Canned Goods |
| Happy Birthday America Cake | 250 Years of America | Victory Garden Pickles |
| Veg & Fruits | Youth | Flowers |
| Heirloom Display | Flag | Native Arrangement |
| Crafts & Collections | Photography | Needle & Fiber Arts |
| “Farm to Table” | “Spotlight on Agriculture” | a “Sample of History” |
Divisions as follows:
Tiny Tyke
Exhibitors must be between 2 – 4
Children
Exhibitors must be between 5 – 13
Junior
Exhibitors must be between 14 – 17
1. Only one entry per exhibitor per class will be accepted and only those classes listed will be judged. However, the Superintendent reserves the right to expand or delete classes if the need arises.
2. Entries previously entered in the Portland Fair are not eligible.
3. For all divisions, the exhibitor must have had the primary role in the planning and preparation of their entry. Please include age on their entry form.
4. Entries which require hanging must have necessary hardware.
5. Judging for the entire department will be on the Danish System (all exhibits judged on their own merits and not in competition with other entries). Multiple awards can be given in a class.
6. The committee will accept exhibits on Thursday, the day before the fair, between 5-7PM.
7. The Exhibit tent will close at 5:00 on Sunday to the public and to the exhibitors to prepare for 6:00 pick-up. THERE WILL BE NO ENTRY INTO THE TENT BETWEEN 5:00 – 6:00. Exhibits must be picked up on Sunday between 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Exhibits not picked up by 7:00 pm will be discarded. Any winnings will be donated back to the Portland Fair.Exhibits will be under observation at all times during the fair. Security guards will be on duty during the night, however the Association is not responsible for anything damaged, lost or stolen.
8. State Baking Contest
The Association of Connecticut Fairs Junior Baking Contest is open to youth between the ages of 7 and 15 as of July 1, 2026. A first place blue ribbon & $40 will be awarded to the winning entry (prizes also available for second and third place winners). In the event the first place winner will not compete at the state contest, the second place winner will be allowed to represent the fair. For the recipe and additional State Contest information, visit the Association of Connecticut Fairs Baking Contests website.
9. State Photo Contest
The Association of Connecticut Fairs Junior Snapshot Contest is open to entrants 19 years of age and under of July 1, 2026. A first place blue ribbon & $10 will be awarded to the winning entry (prizes also available for second through fifth place winners). In the event the first place winner will not compete at the state contest, the second place winner will be allowed to represent the fair. For additional State Contest information, visit the Association of Connecticut Fairs Photo Contests website.
10. State Next Generation Quilter Quilt Contest
The Association of Connecticut Fairs Next Generation Quilter Quilt Contest is open to entrants between 7 and 18 years at the time of judging. A first place blue ribbon & $25 will be awarded to the winning entry (prizes also available for second and third place winners). In the event the first place winner will not compete at the state contest, the second place winner will be allowed to represent the fair. For additional information, visit the Association of Connecticut Fairs Quilt Contest website.
TINY TYKES DIVISION (Ages 2-4)
10801: Finger Painting
10802: Collage
10803: Drawing
10804: Other Craft
There are no premiums for the Tiny Tykes division, only ribbons.
CHILDREN (Ages 5-13) and JUNIORS (Ages 14-17) DIVISIONS
Gardening
•Vegetables and flowers must be homegrown primarily by the exhibitor.
•Vegetables should be arranged on a white paper plate.
•Vegetables should be of uniform size, shape, color, and of good market quality.
10810: Children -Beans (6 items)
10910: Juniors – Beans (6 items)
10811: Children – Carrots
10911: Juniors – Carrots
10812: Children – Cucumbers
10912: Juniors – Cucumbers
10813: Children – Peas
10913: Juniors – Peas
10814: Children – Peppers
10914: Juniors – Peppers
10815: Children – Pumpkins
10915: Juniors – Pumpkins
10816: Children – Squash
10916: Juniors – Squash
10817: Children – Tomatoes
10917: Juniors – Tomatoes
10818: Children – Tomatoes Cherry or Grape (6 items)
10918: Juniors – Tomatoes Cherry or Grape (6 items)
10819: Children – Basket of Vegetables
10919: Juniors – Basket of Vegetables
10820: Children – Basket of Gourds
10920: Juniors – Basket of Gourds
10821: Children – Gourds and Pumpkins
10921: Juniors – Gourds and Pumpkins
10830: Children – Flower Single Stem
10930: Juniors – Flower Single Stem
10831: Children – Floral Arrangement in a Pumpkin
10931: Juniors – Floral Arrangement in a Pumpkin
10832: Children – Floral Arrangement in a Gourd
10932: Juniors – Floral Arrangement in a Gourd
Baking
•No refrigeration available
•No packaged baking mixes accepted
•All exhibits except pies must be on a white paper plate. Please label baked goods and wrap in Ziploc bags.
10840: Children – Pie
10940: Juniors – Pie
10841: Children – Cookies (6 items)
10941: Juniors – Cookies (6 items)
10842: Children – Cake
10942: Juniors – Cake
10843: Children – Yeast Bread (1 loaf)
10943: Juniors – Yeast Bread (1 loaf)
10844: Children – Quick Bread, Any (1 loaf)
10944: Juniors – Quick Bread, Any (1 loaf)
10845: Children – Muffins (6 items)
10945: Juniors – Muffins (6 items)
10846: Children – Candy (6 items)
10946: Juniors – Candy (6 items)
10847: Children – Other Baked Goods
10947: Juniors – Other Baked Goods
10948 – CT Ag Fair Jr. Baking Contest
Must be ages 7 to 15 as of July 1st
Click HERE for more information
Sewing, Needle & Fiber Arts
•Please supply hangers where needed.
10850: Children – Clothing Item
10950: Juniors – Clothing Item
10851: Children – Accessory
10951: Juniors – Accessory
10852: Children – Costume
10952: Juniors – Costume
10853: Children – Pillow
10953: Juniors – Pillow
10854: Children – Stuffed Animal
10954: Juniors – Stuffed Animal
10855: Children – Doll
10955: Juniors – Doll
10856: Children – Other Cross Stitch
10956: Juniors – Other Cross Stitch
10857: Children – Other Embroidery
10957: Juniors – Other Embroidery
10858: Children – Doll Clothes
10958: Juniors – Doll Clothes
10859: Children – Other Sewing
10959: Juniors – Other Sewing
10860: Children – Other Needlework
10960: Juniors – Other Needlework
10965: CT Ag Fair Next Generation Quilter
Must be ages 7 to 18 at the time of judging
Click HERE for more information
Crafts & Special Interest
•Crafts will be judged on originality, neatness, technique, and artistic ability.
•No model kits or paint by number accepted.
•Any artwork or collection that is too big or not properly mounted will not be accepted.
10870: Children – Drawing
10970: Juniors – Drawing
10871: Children – Painting
10971: Juniors – Painting
10872: Children – Jewelry
10972: Juniors – Jewelry
10873: Children – Holiday Decorations
10973: Juniors – Holiday Decorations
10874: Children – Woodworking
10974: Juniors – Woodworking
10875: Children – Use of Recycled items
10975: Juniors – Use of Recycled items
10876: Children – Candle Dipped or Molded
10976: Juniors – Candle Dipped or Molded
10877: Children – Ceramics or Pottery
10977: Juniors – Ceramics or Pottery
10878: Children – Painted Pumpkin
10978: Juniors – Painted Pumpkin
10879: Children – Slime
10979: Juniors – Slime
10880: Children – Collections
10980: Juniors – Collections
10881: Children – Lego Build no kits
10981: Juniors – Lego Build no kits
10882: Children – Other Any Craft
10982: Juniors – Other Any Craft
10985: CT Fairs Junior Snapshot Contest
Must be ages 7 to 18 at the time of judging
Click HERE for more information
2026 Themed Entry: Flags!
10887: Children
10987: Juniors
The American flag tells a story. Make a flag that tells your unique story – who you are or where you are from, your favorite things, or something else from your imagination. Flags can be crafted from any materials.
Best in Show
$5.00 & Rosette
- 1st: $3.00
- 2nd: $2.00
- 3rd: $1.00
Themed Entry: Flags
- 1st: $5.00
- 2nd: $4.00
- 3rd: $2.00
Next Gen Quilt – State Contest
- 1st: $10.00
- 2nd: $8.00
- 3rd: $6.00
Baking & Photo – State Contest
- 1st: $5.00
- 2nd: $4.00
- 3rd: $3.00