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Blue Ribbon Competitions and Contests

HOW TO ENTER

Ready to enter? Follow these three steps to get started.

1. FIND YOUR CATEGORY

Use the What Can I Enter? guide below to find the department that best fits your entry.

2. READ YOUR DEPARTMENT GUIDE

Review your department's 2027 guide before entering. It includes available classes, eligibility requirements, entry fees, deadlines, receiving information, judging details and exhibit pickup information.

3. ENTER ONLINE

Submit your entries through the online entry system at https://compete.getfairos.com before the deadline listed for your department.
2027 ONLINE ENTRY INFORMATION COMING SOON
Want to see everything in one place?

VIEW FULL 2027 COMPETITIVE EXHIBITS HANDBOOK
Need help?
Email blueribbon@datefest.org and our team can help you find the right department and class.

How to Enter

Competitive Exhibits entries are submitted online through FairOS: Compete.

View Step-by-Step Entry Instructions

Start an Entry in FairOS

Questions? Email blueribbon@datefest.org.

WHAT CAN I ENTER?

New to Competitive Exhibits? If you make, grow, bake, photograph, write, collect, design or build something, there may be a place for it at the Fair & Date Fest.

Find something that sounds like your project, then select Adult, Junior or Agriculture to jump to the appropriate department guides.

I draw, paint or create visual art Fine Art: Adult · Junior
Generative AI Art: Adult · Junior
I take or edit photographs Photography: Adult · Junior
I sew, quilt, knit, crochet or work with fabric Clothing & Textiles: Adult · Junior
I make crafts, models, jewelry or other handmade projects Crafts & Hobbies: Adult · Junior
I bake, decorate cakes or make candy Food & Confections: Adult · Junior
I can or preserve food Preserved Foods: Adult · Junior
I grow plants, flowers, vegetables, citrus or dates Floriculture & Horticulture: Adult
Agriculture & Feature Exhibits: Agriculture
I collect rocks, minerals or crystals Gems & Minerals: Adult
I carve or work with wood Wood Carving: Adult
Crafts & Hobbies: Junior
I design or 3D print something Original 3D Design & Printing: Adult · Junior
I build with interlocking bricks Interlocking Brick-Building: Adult · Junior
I turn reused materials into something new Recycled & Upcycled Art: Adult · Junior
I build, program or engineer things Electronics, Robotics & Engineering: Adult · Junior
Industrial Education: Junior
I like to write Creative Writing: Junior
Still not sure where your entry belongs?
These are starting points, and some projects may fit more than one department. Email blueribbon@datefest.org with a photo or short description of your project and we'll help you find the most appropriate department and class.

Categories

Select a department below to view its complete 2027 guide, including classes, entry fees, deadlines, receiving information and judging details.

One Day Events

Pinewood Derby

The Pinewood Derby is a race-day competition for cars built by participants, with classes for Cub Scout ranks and an open class for siblings and parents of Cub Scouts. Build your car, bring it to the Fair & Date Fest, and see how it performs on race day!

DATE: Sunday, February 14, 2027
CHECK-IN: Begins at 11:00 a.m.
FIRST RACE: 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Junior Exhibits Building
ENTRY FEE: Free
ENTRY DEADLINE: Sunday, January 31, 2027 by 11:30 p.m.

All cars must be made by the participant and follow BSA Pinewood Derby Car Rules. Participants must check in before the race. Late check-ins will not be accepted.

AWARDS: Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and every participant will receive a ribbon.

ONLINE ENTRY INFORMATION COMING SOON

Date Recipies

The Date Recipe Competition is open to Riverside County residents of all ages. Put your favorite date recipe to the test in one of five classes: Appetizer, Soup / Salad / Sides, Bread, Entrée or Dessert.

DATE: Saturday, February 13, 2027
RECEIVING: 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
JUDGING: 1:30 p.m.
PICKUP: After judging
ENTRY FEE: Free
PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Monday, January 18, 2027 by 11:30 p.m.

All recipes must include dates. Bring two plates: one for appearance and display and one for the judges to taste. Up to three entries are allowed per exhibitor, with one entry per class.

AWARDS: 1st, 2nd and 3rd place receive rosettes. Additional awards include Best of Class, Judge's Choice, Best of Show and Sweepstakes.

ONLINE ENTRY INFORMATION COMING SOON

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