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Oct 3, 4 & 5
2025
Superintendent
Laurel Steinhauser
860-398-9081
lsteinhauser@gmail.com
Prizes - Premiums & Ribbons
$5.00 Best in Show & Rosett
1st: $3.00 2nd: $2.00 3rd: $1.00
Themed Entry: Egg Crate Creations
1st: $5.00 2nd: $4.00 3rd: $2.00
Mail Entries To
Laurel Steinhauser
56 Prospect Street
Portland, CT 06480
Subject: Portland Fair
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Youth
Youth Department Division Age Breakdown
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1. Tiny Tykes - exhibitors must be between 2 - 4
2. Children - exhibitors must be between 5 - 13
3. Junior - exhibitors must be between 14 - 17
4. 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. A first place blue ribbon will be awarded to the winning entry. 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.​
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Entries
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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.
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Entries previously entered in the Portland Fair are not eligible.
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For all divisions, the child must have had the primary role in the planning and preparation of their entry.
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Entries which require hanging must have necessary hardware.
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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.
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The committee will accept exhibits on Thursday, the day before the fair, between 5-7PM.
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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
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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.​
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Categories
TINY TYKES DIVISION (Ages 2-4)
T1 Finger Painting
T2 Collage
T3 Any Other Craft
There are no premiums for the Tiny Tykes division, only ribbons.
CHILDREN and JUNIORS DIVISIONS
(Ages 5-13 and Ages 14-17)
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.
Y1 Beans (6 pods of any one variety)
Y2 Peas (6 pods of any one variety)
Y3 Carrots (2 samples)
Y4 Cucumbers (2 samples)
Y5 Peppers (2 samples)
Y6 Squash (2 samples)
Y7 Tomatoes (2 samples)
Y8 Cherry or Grape Tomatoes (6 samples of any one variety)
Y9 Basket of Vegetables (arrangement consisting of 5 to 10 varieties)
Y10 Basket of Gourds
Y11 Pumpkin
Y12 Any Other Vegetable
Y13 Single Stem Flower (displayed in a vase)
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.
Y14 Pie
Y15 Cookies (6 samples)
Y16 Cake (judged on decoration only)
Y17 Yeast Bread (1 loaf)
Y18 Any Quick Bread (1 loaf)
Y19 Muffins (6 samples)
Y20 Any Candy (6 samples)
Y21 Any Other Baked Good
JB1 Association of CT Fairs Junior Baking Contest (see special rules above)
Sewing & Needlework
•Please supply hangers where needed.
Y22 Clothing Item
Y23 Accessory
Y24 Costume
Y25 Pillow
Y26 Stuffed Animal or Doll
Y27 Doll Clothes
Y28 Any Cross Stitch
Y29 Any Embroidery
Y30 Any Other Sewing or Needlework Item
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.
Y31 Drawing
Y32 Painting
Y33 Jewelry (may be a set)
Y34 Holiday Decoration
Y35 Woodworking
Y36 Creative Use of Recycled Items
Y37 Candle (dipped or molded)
Y38 Ceramics/Pottery
Y39 Painted Pumpkin
Y40 Slime
Y41 Collection (must be collected and arranged by the exhibitor)
Y42 Lego Build (no kits - design must be original)
Y43 Any Other Craft
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Themed Entry: Egg Carton Creation!! Participants should turn an ordinary egg carton (plastic, styrofoam or cardboard) into something creative. Item should be made primarily from the egg carton itself. This entry is available to all ages.