The County Fair’s Agriculture and Horticulture Wing and Floriculture Wing showcase some of Coconino County’s best growers. Ribbons are awarded to the best tomatoes, the most beautiful dahlias, the biggest pumpkins and even the weirdest looking vegetables.

Every time I go into a gardening or floriculture building, I hear someone say, “My rose looks better than that one.” So why not enter those beauties at the 2023 Fair?! This is a great opportunity for you, as home growers, to show our community what you can grow in Coconino County.

Here are some tips for competing to win the Blue Ribbon.

Get a copy of the fairbook, read it and follow the rules. This book is available online at: https://www.coconinocountyfair.com/entries. Everything you need to know about entry is here. You can print the paper entry form or enter online.

Create a list for each class that has entries. You may not know what will look good in your garden in late August, but you can enter anything you want to show off. You are under no obligation to show vegetables or flowers if they do not produce as expected.

Enter flowers and vegetables in the appropriate classes. Your entry will be judged against other entries in the class. And although there is only one entry per person per class, there are many classes.

If the class states ‘Other Breeds Named’, the entry form must include the breed name. So keep these plant tags where you can find them in August.

Follow the rules. The fair book states the number, size and presentation of each item. If you have 4 of the best looking tomatoes, it’s difficult, but the fair book states that you should enter 5. If you don’t have enough, it’s a good idea to give up and enjoy eating. And if the swatch book says the small marigolds should be less than 1 1/2 inches in size, measure before you go in. The judge will hold a ruler, measure and disqualify if necessary.

Judges want consistency. If your class calls for multiple zinnias or peppers, make sure they are all about the same size, same maturity, and same quality.

Choose entries that are free of blemishes, bugs, and disease. I would like to submit flowers, fruits and vegetables that I will eat, not just buy in stores or farmers markets.

Bigger is not always better, except for the largest pumpkins and pumpkins. If the radish was big and woody, would you buy it at the market? If not, it may not be a great entry. Try the largest radish category instead.

Do not complete the entry process until the last minute. We all know it was great until the internet crashed and then not. Please allow yourself some extra time. This also gives the fair representative the opportunity to answer any questions regarding your entry.

If a late August hailstorm ruins your precious dahlias, you don’t have to go inside. Maybe there should be a new category called “Best Hail Tolerant Flowers and Vegetables”.

Don’t forget deadlines. The deadline for submission of entry forms for the floriculture and agriculture and horticulture divisions is Friday 18th August. Agriculture and Hort Entries will be accepted at the Agriculture and Hort Building on Wednesday, August 30 from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. For floriculture, it is the next day, August 31st. 2:00pm to 6:00pm Volunteers are also needed. If you would like to help, please send an email to Fair@coconino.az.gov. He receives two day passes for every four-hour volunteer shift.

The Coconino County Fair is held each Labor Day weekend. This year it will be held September 1-4 at Fort Tuthill County Park. An exhibitor with 5 or more entries in one division will be given his one-day free admission to the fair.

Fair entries don’t just end with vegetables and flowers. Fruits, eggs, and herbs are also included, and there are even food items. Maybe someone will ask me to judge the desserts this year!