San Rafael, CA – Think it’s too early to get ready for the 2015 Marin County Fair? Not if you’re planning on submitting an entry for one of the many competitive exhibits.
Although the 74th annual Marin County Fair, with its theme of “On with the Show,” is still three months away, the exhibit categories are now open to the public. The Marin County Cultural and Visitor Services Department is calling on all talented, artistic, technologically savvy, green-thumbed, and creative Marin and greater Bay Area residents to enter.
Last year’s fair featured more than 800 categories, 13,850 exhibits and 7,420 entrants in exhibits that covered everything from performing arts to baking. The deadline for submitting entry forms for most categories in this year’s fair is Thursday, May 14.
The fair is a five-day community celebration from July 1 -5 that features exhibits, family fun activities, rides, games, live performances and fireworks.
“The competitive exhibits and contests are the heart and soul of the Marin County Fair,” said Gabriella C. Calicchio, Director of Cultural and Visitor Services. “They showcase the incredible range of creativity and talent, and are what make the fair a true community event. Creativity and innovation are encouraged, and imagination is celebrated.”
Some of the new competitions for 2015 include:
- Decorated paper lanterns
- Finger painting
- Decorated hula hoops
- Family heritage collages
- Family handprint/footprint art
- Baby stroller decorating and parade
- Classic cake baking contest
- Fine art and photography – with a special category for urban landscapes with awards for cityscapes, city lights, city sunrises/sunsets, street scenes, architecture, etc.
- Snapshots of family generations
- Selfies
The first Marin County Fair took place in 1925 with the goal to provide a place where Marin residents could share ideas and techniques in arts, gardens, livestock, fruits, vegetables and flower arrangements. Competitions were developed over the years in a variety of categories to determine which entries were the best in Marin.
With the same pioneering spirit, the fair continues to host unique and nationally renowned competitions revealing a variety of industries, including those that extend far beyond traditional fair exhibits in agriculture. Thousands of awards are bestowed annually in categories such as fine arts, culinary, youth and technology.
For information on the competitive exhibits, participation and entry forms, go to www.marinfair.org and click Competitive Exhibits. The 285-page Exhibitors’ Guide answers questions about categories and participation.
For more information about the competitive exhibit programs, contact Charlie Barboni, Fair Manager, at cbarboni@marincounty.org or 415-473-7048.