By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Ellis County Fair is giving everyone a chance to showcase their talents through friendly competitions.
The fair runs from July 11 to 19 and includes car races, rodeos, family-friendly fun and contests.
Participants must register at fairentry.com by July 7, with drop-off and judging dates varying by category. An account will need to be created if not already. Afterwards, you can choose your class and electronically enter it. There is no cost to enter.
Ellis County Fair Vice President Jill Pfannenstiel highlighted divisions such as gardening, child care art and photography.
Although many people are familiar with the 4-H competitions, the fair offers open classes to all residents.
“Photography is a real popular division at the fair," Pfannenstiel said.
Most entries should be dropped off from 3 to 7 p.m. July 14 at the Ellis County Fairgrounds. Entries for food, crops and horticulture must be dropped off between 8 and 9 a.m. July 15.
Floriculture entries will be accepted on July 16. Participants are eligible to receive cash prizes based on ribbon awards.
Open Class judging will be July 15 and is closed to the public. Entries and prizes can be picked up from 8 to 10 a.m. on July 20 at the Schenk Building.
Exhibits and entries at the fair are judged into four ribbon groups: purple, blue, red and white. Purple ribbons represent the highest standard, and only entries in this group are eligible for advanced awards.
If judges determine the quality merits it, a champion and reserve champion may be selected in each subdivision. Prize money is awarded in the open class division, with champions earning $15, reserve champions $10 and purple ribbon winners receiving $5 for first, $3 for second, and $2 for third.
Pfannenstiel said there will be extra cash prizes for open class foods and photography that will get an additional $15.
You can find a complete list of Ellis County Fair Open Class competitions, including categories, classes, rules and entry requirements here.
The Ellis County 4-H Youth Development program will also be held, featuring its own contests and judging process. A full list of 4-H class competitions can be found here.