Wine and beer, pigeons, pumpkins among amateur contests at Washington State Fair

There are multiple amateur contests and events Sept. 11 to 27 at the Washington State Fair.

Registration for the Agriculture and Horticulture Department’s Amateur Wine and Beer contests at the Washington State Fair is due by 10 p.m. Aug. 13. All exhibitors must be 21 years or older and may enter multiple entries per class. All entries will be judged Aug. 23 with points based on bouquet, aroma, body and flavor. First- and second-place winners in each class will receive a rosette and a cash prize. Third-place winners in each class will receive a rosette. Each “Best in Class” winner will compete to be “Best in Show,” which receives an extra-large rosette. All winning entries will be displayed in the Puget Sound Amateur Wine & Beermakers Club booth at the Fair.

The registration deadline for the Agriculture and Horticulture Department entries is 10 p.m. Sept. 7. Contests include fruits, vegetables, pumpkins, nuts and more.

The Super Pumpkin weigh-off will take place at 5:30 p.m. Sept 11. First-place winners in both the Adult and Junior divisions will receive $1 per pound. Second-place winners will receive $500 (adult)/$300 (junior), and third-place winners will receive $400 (adult)/$200 (junior).

The registration for the Open Class Pigeon Competition is due by 10 p.m. Sept. 11. The competition is Sept 15, followed by the annual white dove release at noon. Entry fee is $2.50 and must be paid with online submission. Guests to the Fair can participate in the pigeon judging daily from Sept. 14 to 16 for the People’s Choice Award Contest. On Sept. 16, each daily winner of the contest will compete against each other for the title of Most Beautiful Pigeon of 2015.

The deadline for online registration for the Vegetable Critters and Pumpkin Carving contests is 10 p.m. Sept 11.

The Pumpkin Carving Contest is Sept. 13. Entries and online entry receipts should be presented between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. at the Gold Gate. The online entry receipt will act as an admittance pass to Fair. Exhibitors will carve pumpkins and bring them to the Fair. They must be able to carry the pumpkin on their own. Four age categories are open: age 5-7, age 8-11, age 12-15 and adults. The winners of each category will receive a trophy.

The Vegetable Critters Contest is Sept. 19 and is open in four age categories: age 5-7, age 8-11, age 12-15 and adults. Entries and online entry receipts should be presented between 8 and 9:30 a.m. at the Gold Gate. The online entry receipt will act as an admittance pass to Fair. Vegetable critters must be made from vegetables grown by the exhibitor. A small amount of non-vegetable material may be used to accent the critter. The winner of each class will be awarded a trophy.

The deadline for online registration for the Fair’s Junior Gardeners contest is 10 p.m. Sept. 17, and is open for youth age 5 to 18. First-, second- and third-place winners in all classes will be awarded rosettes and various cash prizes. Eligible fruits and vegetables are listed in the contest description.

For online registration and a list of entry conditions and awards, visit www.thefair.com/participate/exhibit-entries/.

This story was originally published August 4, 2015 at 11:49 AM with the headline "Wine and beer, pigeons, pumpkins among amateur contests at Washington State Fair."