2021 IMPORTANT DATES
JULY 22 Entry Deadline:
Pre-registration required. Enter online by Thursday, July 22, 2021 using the Missoula County Fairgrounds online entry system located www.WesternMontanaFair.com. Parents must sign if exhibitor is under 18 years of age. Following registration, print and save your receipt for entry confirmation.
JULY 24-25 Exhibit Delivery:
The Home Arts Buildings (35) will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 24 and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 25 to bring in your exhibits to the Missoula County Fairgrounds, 1101 South Ave. West, Building #35. Click here for exhibitor map. (Yarn Bombing exhibits must be in place by 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 10, 2021.)
AUGUST 16 Exhibit Retrieval:
Exhibits will be available for pickup from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, August 16, 2021. Retrieval is limited to one day only. Exhibits not picked up by 8 p.m. August 16 will become property of the Missoula County Fairgrounds.
RULES & REMINDERS
One entry per class number, unless specifically noted.
The article exhibited must be the work of the exhibitor.
Exhibits previously entered are not eligible.
The Superintendent reserves the right to reclassify entries not entered in the correct division or class, or as otherwise needed for competition.
All exhibits will receive care and protection in the surroundings, but at all times are subject to owners’ risk, and in no event will the department be responsible for damage that may occur.
PRIZES & AWARDS
Junior Best of Show – $20.00
Showman Best of Show – $20.00
Elite Best of Show – $20.00
1st place – $5.00
2nd place – $3.00
3rd place – Ribbon (no premium)
Premiums will be awarded providing there are more than two (2) exhibits in the class. The Superintendent has the authority to move or place exhibits into an appropriate class.
DIVISIONS
Division 1: Junior – ages 14 and under
Division 2: Showman – ages 15 and above
Division 3: Elite – all ages (Anyone may choose to compete in this category regardless of age or experience. A person that has been paid for their work, is currently trying to charge for their work, or has regularly taught skills in the making of their creative specialty should enter in the Elite Division only.)
CLASSES – Fashion
Some participants in this division will have a chance to be part of a fashion show. Bring a description of your fashion item when you deliver your exhibit. Include information such as: where your inspiration came from, materials used, time spent, future plans, and any other fun facts about the entry or yourself. Limit of two entries per class number.
2501 Pet Wear
2502 Wearable Art
2503 Western Wear
2504 Upcycled, repurposed and wearable
CLASSES – Fashion Recycled
In keeping with the Fair’s efforts supporting greener, sustainable living, show off your upcycled creations. Limit of two entries per class number.
2505 Made-over denim garment
2506 Rugs made from ties, fabrics
2507 Purses and bags from recycled fabrics
2508 Quilts, recycled fabrics
2509 Other
CLASSES – Crochet It
Are you “hooked”, whether you crochet for usefulness or relaxation? Share your special projects for all to admire. Pieces will be judged on workmanship, technique, level of difficulty and appearance.
2510 Afghan and blankets
2511 Baby clothes, doll clothes, dolls and toys
2512 Hat, mittens, scarf or shawl
2513 Household item
2514 Clothing
2515 Other
CLASSES – Sew What
Sew it and show it. In addition to the overall appearance, sewn articles will be judged on workmanship both on the inside and outside of the articles, and finishing techniques.
2516 Accessories (purses, bags, hats, etc.)
2517 Clothing
2518 Costumes
2519 Household Items
2520 Stuffed, toys, dolls and doll clothing
2521 Other
CLASSES –Knit Together
Bring the whole knitting group and show off your contemporary or traditional knit items. Pieces will be judged on workmanship and technique, so watch the gauge and tension, as well as your tassels!
2522 Afghan and blankets
2523 Baby clothes, doll clothes, dolls and toys
2524 Hat, mittens, scarf or shawl
2525 Household item
2526 Clothing
2527 Other
CLASSES – Creative Home Arts
Handmade projects that make you smile and give that personal flair or touch to your home.
2528 Painted rocks
2529 Homemade soap/lotion-making
2530 Baskets
2531 Beading
2532 Cardmaking
2533 Toys, dolls and accessories
2534 Embroidery
2535 Cross stitch
2536 Toys
2537 Other
CLASSES – Quilts and Quilted Items
Contemporary/Art Quilts – Often contain other media besides fabric. They feature unusual color combinations, complex piecing, and embellishments. Traditional patterns are often stretched, skewed, or flipped into new and different configurations. These quilts often have intense background fills, elaborate thread play, and heavy texture. Quilting designs liberally cross over seams to create newly defined spaces on quilts.
Modern Quilts – Simple and utilitarian, but often include bold colors and prints. They also can include high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, minimalism, asymmetry, expansive negative space, alternate grid work, and improvisational piecing. Quilting is usually done with matching thread to create texture and allowed to flow over the entire surface.
2538 Traditional quilts or hand-quilted
2539 Contemporary/art quilts
2540 Modern quilts
2541 Quilted wall hangings
2542 Quilted tableware
2543 Other
CLASSES – Quilt Block Challenge
Create a quilt block honoring the Fair theme “The Hoedown in Midtown” and it could become part of a one-of-a-kind quilt. Entries will be judged, and considered for special awards, such as the Fair Event Committee Choice, outstanding originality, outstanding creativity and portrayal of the Fair theme. Use any technique or pattern you choose.
Blocks must measure 12 1/2 in. square when finished and ready to set into a quilt.
Fabric must be 100% cotton and preshrunk.
Blocks must NOT be quilted.
Limited to two quilt block entries per person, and a maximum of 50 overall entries.
All quilt block entries will become the property of the Western Montana Fair. The best entries in terms of workmanship, creativity, and Fair-esque designs will be incorporated into a full quilt, which will be donated to a local organization for use or display.
2544 Quilt block challenge
CLASSES – Caps for a Cause Competition
Help someone who has lost their hair due to chemotherapy, brain surgery or burn wounds. Cap exhibits that will be given to a patient at a community care center. You can find patterns online at HeadHuggers.org and ChemoCaps.com. Be sure to choose hat patterns that will cover a person’s entire head and be attractive for everyday wear. Use fun, cheerful, soft material and soft yarns. Please include the material used and washing instructions. Items will be judged for ribbons only, with all caps being donated.
2545 Crocheted
2546 Knitted
2547 Sewed
CLASSES: Natural Fiber Projects
Projects with 100% natural fibers. Specific the fiber content on each item. Socks are the exception and may contain up to 25% nylon.
2548 Handspun skein, specify ply
2549 Baskets, coiled
2550 Baskets, handwoven
2551 Felted items
2552 Handspun, knitted items
2553 Handspun, crocheted
2554 Handwoven, any
2555 Commercially spun yarn, knitted
2556 Commercially spun yarn, crocheted
CLASSES: Yarn Bombing
It’s described as what happens when thread enthusiasts carefully cover their favorite outdoor objects or structures with decorative knitted or crocheted material as a form of street art. For ideas on how to Yarn Bomb, visit https://youtu.be/x1wZSEGN06A.
Identify your target: scout the Fairgrounds in advance, choosing three (3) potential objects to yarn bomb.
Obtain target approval by July 22, 2021: email fairgrounds@missoulacounty.us with your three (3) potential targets for approval before proceeding, please include your name and phone number and a photo of each location listing them as A, B and C to indicate your preference.
All projects must be in place by 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 10.
Exhibitors must provide all of their own craft supplies and installation needs.
Pieces must not be permanently attached to object underneath and must leave that object unharmed after removal. Any piece of work that results in harm to Fairgrounds property may result in loss of opportunity for prizes.
Exhibitor must remove work of art by Friday, August 20.
The Fair is not liable for any damage to this art project due to weather conditions or natural Fair time exposure such as people or animals.
Upon registration, entrants give permission to the Western Montana Fair to reproduce images of the work in any publications, printed materials, or merchandise without additional compensation.
Exhibitor releases the Missoula Fairgrounds, dba Western Montana Fair, and its representatives from any liabilities for loss, damage, or injury to property while said property is on the Missoula Fairgrounds.
2557 Yarn Bombing