Contests

COOKIES, BROWNIES AND BARS

The goal of the PA Preferred Junior Baking Contest is to encourage young people across the Commonwealth to participate in Pennsylvania’s agricultural fairs by showcasing Pennsylvania grown and produced products in their contest entries.

Rules:

1. Open to any individual amateur baker (age 8 through and including 18 years old at the time of the fair’s contest) who is a Pennsylvania resident. One entry per person.
2. Entrants may NOT have won 1st place in this contest at any other fair in 2025.
3. Entry must be a plate of six (6) individal sized portions of a baked entry item.
4. The Cookies, Brownies or Bars and any fillings and frostings must be made from scratch with edible ingredients. No pre-packaged ingredients may be used (ex: No pre-made mixes, cookie dough pie crust, frosting, etc.). Any decorations must be edible.
5. At least two (2) PA Preferred or locally produced ingredients must be used in the recipe. Some examples of qualifying ingredients include grains (such as oats or flour), butter, milk, eggs, fruits, and/or vegetables.
6. A PA Preferred logo is not required because not all PA Preferred products carry the label. The name of the ingredient and the source is sufficient. Contact RA-AGPAPreferred@pa.gov for assistance with qualifying ingredients.
7. The PA Preferred entry and its recipe will become the property of the Fair or PA Farm Show and will not be returned.
8. Entry must be submitted for judging on a food-safe, disposable setting. Nothing will be returned.
9. Recipe must be submitted with the entry, printed on one side of 8-1/2″ x 11″ paper. Recipe must list all ingredients, quantities and the preparation instructions. The name of the PA Preferred ingredient must be clearly listed along with the name of the source that made/grew the product (ex: PA Preferred Milk – Galliker’s, Apples – Smith Farms Orchard. Entrant’s name, age, address and phone number must be printed on the back of all pages.
10. Refrigeration is not available at the Fair or PA Farm Show. Entries that require refrigeration after baking must indicate so in the recipe. Those entries will not be sold, auctioned or otherwise distributed for consumption after judging for food safety reasons.

JUDGE SCORING:

Flavor (aroma, taste, good balance of flavorings) : 40 points

Inside Characteristics (texture, even grain, evenly baked) : 30 points

Overall Appearance (surface, shape, size, color) : 20 points

Topping, Icing, Decoration : 10 points

PREMIUMS:

1st : $20.00

2nd: $15.00

3rd: $10.00

PRIZES FOR 2026 PA STATE FARM SHOW:

The winning PA Preferred Cookie, Brownie or Bar will receive certification to represent the Elizabethtown Fair at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in 2026.

1st : $500.00

2nd: $250.00

3rd: $100.00

Sponsored by the PA Department of Agriculture’s PA Preferred Program

The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie will be selected from the four first place apple pies – the first place one-crust and two-crust pies in the adult and youth divisions in Department 15.

Rules:

1. Open to any individual amateur baker who is a Pennsylvania resident. One entry per person.
2. Entrants may NOT have won 1st place in this contest at any other fair in 2025.
3. The Apple Pie, including fillings and crust, must be made from scratch with edible ingredients. No pre-packaged ingredients may be used (ex: No pre-made mixes, cookie dough pie crust, frosting, etc.)
4. Recipe must include at least 60% apples in the filling. It does not need to be a “traditional” two crusted apple pie and it can have a variety of fillings.
5. The entire pie must be submitted in a disposable pie pan. Nothing will be returned.
6. The pie entry and its recipe will become the property of the Fair or PA Farm Show and will not be returned.
7. The recipe for the pie and pie crust must be submitted with the entry, printed on one side of 8-1/2″ x 11″ paper. Recipe must list all ingredients, quantities and the preparation instructions. Entrant’s name, address and phone number must be printed on the back of all pages.
8. Refrigeration is not available at the Fair or PA Farm Show. Entries that require refrigeration after baking must indicate so in the recipe. Those entries will not be sold, auctioned or otherwise distributed for consumption after judging for food safety reasons.

JUDGE SCORING:

Flavor : 35 points

Filling (consistency, doneness, moistness, flavor) : 25 points

Crust (color, flavor, texture, doneness) : 20 points

Overall Appearance : 15 points

Creativity : 5 points

PREMIUMS:

1st : $100.00 and a Crock

PRIZES FOR 2026 PA STATE FARM SHOW:

The winning Blue Ribbon Apple Pie will receive certification to represent the Elizabethtown Fair at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in 2026.

1st : $500.00

2nd: $250.00

3rd: $100.00

Sponsored by the Elizabethtown Fair, PSACF

Celebrating 250 Years of America

Rules:

1. Exhibitor must be a resident of Pennsylvania.
2. Exhibitor may not have won 1st place at any other fair in 2025.
3. Apron may be a Bib Apron, Half Apron, or Printed Apron.
4. Apron must be red, white and blue only.
5. Apron must have been made in 2025.
6. If date is used on the apron, use 2026 instead of 2025.
7. One entry per exhibitor.
8. Entries will be received at BIC Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday, August 18th between 9:00AM and 1:00PM and Sunday, between 3:00PM and 7:00PM ONLY.
9. The winner will be eligible to enter their Apron in the 2026 PA Farm Show Contest.

JUDGE SCORING:

Aprons will be judged on workmanship, worth of article, appropriateness of material and design based on the following point system:

• Overall Apperance : 25 points
• Creativity : 25 points
• Workmanship/Suitability : 30 points
• Design/Color : 20 points

PREMIUMS:

1st : $250.00

PRIZES FOR 2026 PA STATE FARM SHOW:

1st : $250.00

2nd: $150.00

3rd: $100.00

4th/5th: Rosette

Sponsored by Elizabethtown Area Grange

Rules:

1. The race is open to babies ages 6-12 months old that can crawl but cannot yet walk.
2. A parent/guardian and one other adult chaperone must escort the baby to the race mat.
3. The two adult chaperones escorting the baby during the race are permitted to bring toys, bottles, binkies, and other items to help encourage the baby to crawl.
4. One adult chaperone will be positioned at each end of the mat and are not permitted to move or reach beyond their designated area during the race.
5. The baby that crawls from one side of the mat to the other the fastest is the winner and will receive the prize.
6. If no babies have crossed the finish line after 3 minutes, the baby that is closest to the finish line will be declared the winner.
7. If the baby walks at any time during the race, they are disqualified but we will join you in celebrating their first steps!
8. In addition to the race, we encourage racers to participate in the costume contest for the chance to win the “Best Dressed” prize. The theme for the costume contest is “Barnyard Animals.” A panel of judges will choose the winner based on creativity, adherence to theme, and overall presentation.
9. Participants must report to the race area no later than 20 minutes before the start of the race.
10. To obtain a registration form, email elizabethtownkiwanis@gmail.com . Completed forms must be emailed back by Noon Saturday, August 16, 2025. Walk-up registration will only be available if space permits.
11. Registrations will be accepted in the Fair Office Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until Noon.
CLASS:

Baby Race Winner, Youth (ages 6-12 months) 1st – TBD
Baby Race Best Dressed, Youth (ages 6-12 months) 1st – TBD

(See Premium Book for Entry Form.)