Do you take great photos?  Raise cute rabbits?  Keep an old car looking new?  Then there’s a competition for you at the 2013 Great New York State Fair.  Any New York State resident can enter a New York State Fair competition and you do not have to win a local competition in order to compete.

In fact, there are scores of competitions. They cover everything from turning wool into shawls to growing Christmas trees.  There are events involving art, animals, agriculture, cooking and many more.  Last year, more than 6,000 people submitted some 28,000 entries in more than 275 categories.

“The competitions held at the Great New York State Fair are an annual tradition for thousands of fairgoers,” said State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine.  “Not only do they demonstrate the strength, breadth and quality of New York State agriculture, but they are also great fun!”

Some competitions lead to cash prizes that help defray the cost of college or of raising an animal.  Others compete for the pride of having earned a blue ribbon and a statewide championship.  Some of the culinary competitors even have their winning creations sampled on live television.

Competition rules, deadlines (some rapidly approaching) and entry forms can be found on the New York State Fair website, located at www.nysfair.org/competitions.  Most entry forms can be filled out and submitted while online.  However, competitors who prefer printed information can have it sent through the mail by calling the State Fair at 315-487-7711, extension 1335. 

In addition to the annual Great New York State Fair, the Fairgrounds host dozens of agricultural events throughout the year, including some of the Northeast’s most prestigious horse and livestock shows.

The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available on the Fair’s website.  Find The Great New York State Fair on Facebook or follow NYS Fair on Twitter. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas on the Great New York State Fair at statefairideas@agriculture.ny.gov.