Youth Contests Resources
Who can Enter a Creative Arts Youth Contest?
The Fair has designated special categories for those ages 17 and under in our Creative Arts Contests. Young artists and cooks may enter any of the Arts & Crafts and cooking contests, unless otherwise noted. Click below to find more information and to download the Cooking Contest and Arts & Crafts handbooks!
Age divisions
Many of our contests have both a Junior Division and a Child Division to better match the skill sets of our younger contestants.
• Juniors: 13 – 17 years of age
• Child: 5 – 12 years of age
Cooking Contests
Youth participants, ages 17 and under, are eligible to enter ALL Creative Arts Cooking contests. Check out the Cooking Contest page for more details.
In addition to all other cooking contests, we are adding a youth specific cooking contest in the springtime! Young chefs put their skills to the test with dishes of their choice. Contestants will present their best homemade dishes to a panel of judges for evaluation.
• Sunday April 26, 2026 – Youth Cooking Contest
Arts & Crafts Key Dates
Here is a full list of important dates for key dates related to Arts & Crafts Contests. If you’ve already registered and we have a change or alteration to any of the dates, we will immediately email you of any changes and update this page accordingly.
• March 19 – Arts & Crafts Contest Guide available for download
• May 7 – Online registration opens for all contests
• July 29 – Registration deadline for Arts & Crafts Contests
• August 1 -3 – Arts & Crafts entry drop off
• August 20 – Arts & Crafts Winners Announced
• September 3 – 5 – Pickup of non-winning Arts & Crafts entries
• October 22 – 24 (Post-Fair) – Pick up of winning Arts & Crafts entries
How do I register?
If it’s your first time wanting to enter a Creative Arts Cooking Competition at the State Fair of Texas, but you are unsure where to begin, no worries! Click the button below to be redirected to the Creative Arts Resources page. There will be a step-by-step guide how to register along with a link to view the Cooking Contest Handbook.
Cooking Contests During the Fair
Once you enter a Cooking Contest during the Fair, you will need to purchase tickets and parking separately to enter the State Fair in order to participate. The Fair offers a variety of ticket packages including season passes, as well as the option to purchase parking online when you purchase a ticket.
Please bring your items when the gates open at 10 a.m. and head directly to the Creative Arts Building. Drop off your items between 10:00 -11:15 a.m. in the contest kitchen on the west side of the Creative Arts building by the theater. Judging will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts registration deadline is July 27.
Entry Drop-Off:
Contestants may drop off their entry at the Creative Arts building on one of the following days:
• July 31 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• August 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• August 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry Mail in & Mail Back
Contestants may also mail in their entries. All entries must arrive before the entry deadline of July 27th. After the Fair, we repack your item, apply your prepaid label, and mail it back.
Please check the Arts & Crafts Handbook for all necessary shipping information.
Rules & Participation Guidelines
COOKING CONTESTS ARE OPEN TO AMATEURS ONLY. NO PROFESSIONAL COOKS OR CULINARY TEACHERS MAY ENTER. PLEASE SEE DEFINITION OF TERMS SECTION FOR AMATEUR QUALIFICATIONS.
• The Best of Show winner from 2025 is not eligible to enter the same contest in 2026
CONTESTANTS CANNOT ENTER THE SAME RECIPE TWICE IN ANY 2026 CONTEST.
• Mixes or prepared foods may not be used in recipes, unless otherwise specified.
• Read individual contest rules for contest-specific requirements and changes from last year.
• No covers are allowed on containers (i.e., lids, plastic wrap, etc.). The Fair is not responsible for contestants’ containers.
• Decisions of the Director of Creative Arts will be final. No person is allowed to interfere with judges or Fair staff assisting judges during the judging process. Violators may be disqualified and asked to leave the judging area.
Creative Arts Cooking Contests
To learn more about the different Creative Arts Cooking Contests held, please visit the Cooking Contest page. You’ll learn all about the different contests and how to get started.
Battle For the Blue Ribbon
The State Fair of Texas is thrilled to announce the return of Battle for the Blue Ribbons – the one and only State Fair spring cooking competition consisting of four of the Fair’s most popular Creative Arts Cooking Contests: Cakes, Youth Cooking, Pies, and Cookies, taking place over two weekends in the spring. Amateur home cooks of all ages may enter for the chance to be awarded first, second, third, or honorable mention.
Blue-ribbon winners from the cake, pie, and cookie contests will earn the opportunity to compete in their respective categories at the exclusive Best of Show-Down in the Competition Kitchen during the State Fair of Texas. One contestant from each category will be awarded a Best of Show ribbon and advance to a final head-to-head battle for the Best of Show-Down grand prize. First, second, and third place winners from the youth cooking competition will be awarded complimentary admission tickets to come back and enjoy the Fair.
Contest and registration dates will be announced soon. Check back frequently for any updated information.
Pre-Fair Youth Contests
Sunday, April 26th
Young chefs put their skills to the test with dishes of their choice. Contestants will present their best homemade dishes to a panel of judges for evaluation. This contest is dedicated to ages 17 and under, with a Junior Division and a Child Division to better match the skill sets of our younger contestants.
Fairtime Cooking Contests
Want to start planning for cooking contests during the fair? No problem! All youth audiences, ages 17 and under, are able to compete in nearly all of the Cooking Contests held during the State Fair of Texas. To learn more about all of the different cooking contests you can enter, please view the Creative Arts Cooking Contest handbook, visit the Cooking Contest page, or you can go ahead and register below if you’re ready!
Arts & Crafts at the State Fair of Texas
There are so many Arts & Crafts contests you can enter, at the State Fair of Texas! Youth participants are able to enter ALL Arts & Crafts contest, but there are also a few contests dedicated to only child and junior participants. Please check out the Arts & Crafts page for full specific details.
Youth Participants, ages 17 and under, are eligible to enter early all categories of Arts & Crafts categories at the State Fair of Texas. We have a few specific categories and divisions dedicated to these younger participants.
For all important information before and after you register, please view the Arts & Crafts Handbook.
Arts & Crafts Categories
Here’s a quick rundown of the different contest categories you can anticipate choosing from. For more details and any answers to any questions you may have, please view the Creative Arts Handbook for more information.
• Dept. A: Fine Art
• Dept. B: Ceramics & Hand Painted China
• Dept. C: Designer Craftsman
• Dept. D: Dolls
• Dept. E: Canning
• Dept. G: Holiday Corner
• Dept. H: Needlepoint, Crewel, & Counted Cross Stitch
• Dept. I: Needlework and Sewing
• Dept. J: Afghans, Rugs, Quilts, & Bedspreads
• Dept. K: Photography
• Dept. L: Scale Models
• Dept. M: Glue A Shoe
• Dept. N: The Great Pumpkin Challenge
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