Department: 151-Country Fair Show
2025 Important Information
august 3 - Entry deadline
Please refer to the showtimes listed below for the entry and delivery schedule specific to your category. The Online Entry System is not available for Floriculture entries. Paper entry tags will be provided in the Floriculture Building starting Monday, August 3. Each exhibitor is responsible for submitting their own entry tags. Parents must sign the entry tags for exhibitors under 18 years of age.
august 3 - Exhibit Delivery
Exhibit drop-off is scheduled from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, August 3.
Drop-off is in the Floriculture building (#15) at the Missoula County Fairgrounds.
After 8:00 PM, entries may still be accepted if the superintendent is present in the building.
August 4 - Judging
Judging begins at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 4. Judging is closed to the public and will be conducted according to the rules of the Western Montana Fair and the National Garden Clubs. Judges' decisions are final.
The show opens to the public on Tuesday, August 5, at 11:00 AM and closes on Sunday, August 10, at 8:00 PM.
august 11 - Exhibit Retrieval
Exhibits may be picked up on Sunday, August 10, after the Rose Show concludes, or on Monday, August 11, by 5:00 PM.
Any exhibits not retrieved by this time will be disposed of by the superintendent.
Rules & Reminders
All entries must be the work of or grown by the exhibitor, unless otherwise specified.
The superintendent reserves the right to dispose of any entry that is wormy, unsightly, or spoiled.
Previously entered exhibits are eligible for entry. Standard awards will be used in all divisions.
In craft classes, plant materials—fresh, dried, or artificial—are allowed unless otherwise specified.
Divisions
Division I, Section A: Arts and Crafts
Division I, Section B: Design
Division I, Section A: Arts & Crafts
Judging and Awards
A standard system of judging will be used.
First Place: $5.00; Second Place: $3.00; Third Place: $2.00
A Blue Rosette will be awarded for "Best of Show" in Division 1.
Special Entry Categories
Senior Citizens:
Please mark your entry tag as "Senior Citizen."
Senior entries are judged separately and only against other senior exhibitors.
Youth Exhibitors:
Please mark your entry tag as "Youth" and include the appropriate age category.
Youth entries are judged only against others in the same age group.
See below for youth age categories.
Youth Age Categories:
Juniors: Preschool to 7 years old
Intermediate: 8 to 12 years old
Advanced: 13 to 18 years old
Class 300: “Tussle-Mussie: is a compact floral bouquet with bound stems, classically presented with the stems wrapped in ribbon. Sometimes it is called a nosegay. Ribbons are permitted. If fresh, a clear glass vase with stems in water is suggested for staging. a) Fresh; b) dried flowers; c) silk flowers.
Class 301: Decorated packages. Unusual, artificial, or dried plant material is permitted. 1) Gift box or package; 2) bag; 3) any other
Class 302: Gourd Crafts
Class 303: Woven baskets
Class 304: Dried plant/flower crafts Ribbons and Artificial plant material permitted
Picture
Decorated flowerpot
Mask
Note or greeting card
Wreath,
Wall Blessing. A wall blessing is any item meant to be hung on a wall and may have any shape or base.
Any other
Class 305: Craft Kit must be the work of only one person the exhibitor. The craft must relate to something in the garden or could be used in the garden.
Class 306: Craft Class: A class may enter its product here if it does not fit the other categories.
Class 307: Functional Birdhouse or birdfeeder
Class 308: Topiary
Division I, Section B: Design
Theme of shoW: “River Bottom Bash”
Awards and Judging
A Blue Rosette will be awarded for "Best in Division."
The standard system of judging will be applied:
First Place (Blue): $5.00; Second Place: $3.00; Third Place: $2.00
Design Guidelines
Black panels, niches, and backdrops are permitted.
Designs must fit within a space of 34 inches wide by 30 inches deep.
There are no height restrictions.
Special Entry Categories
Senior Citizens:
Please mark your entry tag as "Senior Citizen."
Senior entries are judged separately and only against other senior exhibitors.
Youth Exhibitors:
Please mark your entry tag as "Youth" and include the appropriate age category.
Youth entries are judged only against others in the same age group.
See below for youth age categories.
Youth Age Categories
Juniors: Preschool to 7 years old
Intermediate: 8 to 12 years old
Advanced: 13 to 18 years old
Class 309: “Down by the River” Designers choice of materials and design type. a) Fresh and dried; b) dried
Class 310: “Dance Partners” Designers can create arrangements that incorporate elements with moving parts, such as kinetic sculptures or mobiles Designers choice of materials and design type. a) Fresh and dried; b) dried
Class 311: “Leading the High Life” Designers can create arrangements inspired by the steampunk aesthetic incorporating elements like gears, cogs, and vintage machinery. Designers’ choice of materials and design type. a) Fresh and dried; b) dried
Class 312: "Hold ‘Em high" Designers can create arrangement using plant materials to depict mechanical creatures or robots.
Class 313: “Name the Book" A design that interprets the title of a book. Please place name of the book on a card and place with entry. Designer’s choice of materials. Exhibit to be no more than 24” wide. The design may be a scene.
Class 314: “Skip Along" A 5” miniature design using designer’s choice of plant materials. No artificial plant material
Class 315: “Broadway Monster" Designers can create arrangements using roots and vegetables to construct imaginative mechanical contraptions. Be sure the entry is movable and stable.
Division I, Section C: Horticulture
Class 316: “A Fairy Garden” A dish garden containing plants and items conveying the theme.
Class 400: Favorite Flower Any flower may be entered in this lot. Identify by name.