2026 Expo

Presented by Rockbridge County Homesteaders

Special Baking Contests

Contact: (540) 462-7917 or [email protected]
Location: Reel Arena, East Complex, Virginia Horse Center

General Rules

1. One entry per contestant in each contest.
2. Exhibits may be dropped off at the Reel Arena / East Complex on Wednesday, Sept. 9 (3:00–7:00 pm) or Thursday, Sept. 10 (7:00 am–12:00 pm). Judging begins Thursday at 1:00 pm. No exhibitors may be present during judging.

Class S1 – 2026 King Arthur Baking Contest

Open To

Adults (Ages 20+)  |  Junior/Youth (Ages 9–19)

Prizes – Adult Class

• 1st Place: Ribbon and $75 Gift Certificate at kingarthurbaking.com
• 2nd Place: Ribbon and $50 Gift Certificate at kingarthurbaking.com
• 3rd Place: Ribbon and $25 Gift Certificate at kingarthurbaking.com

Prizes – Youth Class

• 1st Place: Ribbon and $40 Gift Certificate at kingarthurbaking.com
• 2nd Place: Ribbon and $25 Gift Certificate at kingarthurbaking.com
• 3rd Place: Ribbon and $25 Gift Certificate at kingarthurbaking.com

Rules

1. Use the official entry form provided below. An entry form must accompany every entry.
2. Exhibitors must bring the opened bag of King Arthur Flour or submit a UPC label from the flour bag with every entry.
3. Exhibitors must provide a legible recipe with every entry, preferably typed.
4. All entries must be exhibited in clear plastic zipper bags on white disposable plates or in clear “clamshell.”
5. Failure to follow rules may result in disqualification.
6. King Arthur Flour and Rockbridge Regional Fair & Expo, Inc. are not responsible for replacing lost or misplaced prizes.
7. Your entry/recipe may be used in fair promotional materials.

Click Here for Entry Form

Class S2 – 2026 Southern Flavoring Cooking Contest

Open To

All ages

Prizes

• 1st Place: Ribbon and Southern Flavorings merchandise
• 2nd Place: Ribbon and Southern Flavorings merchandise
• 3rd Place: Ribbon and Southern Flavorings merchandise

Rules

1. Contestants must use recipes that include any or all of the following ingredients: baking flavors, extracts, or colors.
2. Any brand of ingredients listed in number 1 above may be used.
3. Exhibitors must provide a legible recipe with every entry, preferably typed.
4. All entries must be exhibited in clear plastic zipper bags on white disposable plates or in clear “clamshell.”
5. Failure to follow the rules may result in disqualification.
6. Southern Flavorings and Rockbridge Regional Fair & Expo, Inc. are not responsible for replacing lost or misplaced prizes.
7. Your entry/recipe may be used in fair promotional materials.

Click Here for Entry Form

Expo Department Open Show

Contact: (540) 462-7917 or [email protected]
Location: Reel Arena, East Complex, Virginia Horse Center

General Rules

1. Rules in this section apply to all Expo Divisions unless otherwise specified.
2. Residents of Rockbridge, Alleghany, Augusta, Botetourt, Craig, and surrounding counties/cities are eligible to enter exhibits.
3. No exhibitor may enter more than two articles in any one Class unless otherwise specified.
4. Submissions must be homemade and the handiwork of the exhibitor.
5. A submission will not be accepted if it is unfinished; it has previously been entered at the Rockbridge Regional Fair & Expo; or it is dirty or malodorous.
6. The exhibitor may place any submission in a clear plastic bag for its protection; submission may be removed from its bag for judging.
7. Exhibitor tags are available at: Rockbridge County Extension Office, Rockbridge Farmers Co-op, Augusta Co-op (Fairfield), House Mountain Yarn Company, Cornerstone Bank, and Local Farmers Markets.
8. Entries must be submitted according to the rules for each Division.
9. The Expo Committee may subdivide categories as needed.
10. The exhibitor is solely responsible for deciding the proper Division and Class for his/her entry.
11. Exhibits improperly classified will not be changed or judged.
12. Rockbridge Regional Fair & Expo, Inc. reserves the right to accept or refuse any exhibit.
13. Awards will be made on quality of workmanship and originality of design. Judges are instructed not to award a premium unless the article is deemed worthy.
14. All judges’ decisions are final.
15. While due care will be taken with all entries, Rockbridge Regional Fair & Expo, Inc. assumes no responsibility in case of loss or damage to exhibits from any cause.
16. Fair volunteers are permitted to enter exhibits in the Expo; however, volunteers must refrain from influencing judges in any way.

Age Brackets (as of September 1, 2026)

• Fair Fantastics: Ages 8 and under
• Child: Ages 9–13
• Youth: Ages 14–19
• Adult: Ages 20+

Exhibit Drop Off

Exhibits may be dropped off at the Reel Arena / East Complex on Wednesday, Sept. 9 (3:00–7:00 pm) or Thursday, Sept. 10 (7:00 am–12:00 pm). Judging begins Thursday at 1:00 pm. No exhibitors may be present during judging.

Click Here for Entry Form

Ribbons and Premiums

• Best in Rockbridge – $10
• Grand Champion – $5
• 1st Prize: Blue Ribbon – $3
• 2nd Prize: Red Ribbon – $2
• 3rd Prize: White Ribbon – $1

Exhibit & Premium Collection

1. All entries are to remain on display during the entire Fair.
2. Exhibits and prizes may be collected on Saturday, September 12 between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
3. Any exhibit not collected during this time will be donated or disposed of in a suitable manner.
4. Exhibitors must retain the duplicate part of the exhibitor tag to claim their exhibit. No exhibit will be released without it.
5. After judging, exhibitors may place a small placard indicating that an item is available for sale.

Registration

When you arrive at the Reel Arena/East Complex, look for the “Exhibit Check-In” table. To fill out paperwork in advance, Click Here for Entry Form.

Divisions

• Division A – Kitchen Arts
  • Class 1 – Baked Goods & Candies
  • Class 2 – Food Preservation
  • Class 3 – Homebrewing
• Division B – Home Arts
  • Class 1 – Needlework
  • Class 2 – Hobbies & Crafts
• Division C – Shop Arts
• Division D – Farm & Garden
  • Class 1 – Fruits & Vegetables
  • Class 2 – Hay
  • Class 3 – Field Crops
  • Class 4 – Honey
  • Class 5 – Eggs
• Division E – Horticulture
• Division F – Fair Fantastics
• Division G – Educational Displays

Division A – Kitchen Arts

Class A1 – Baked Goods & Candies

Rules

1. All entries must be the product of the home kitchen.
2. All submissions ought to have been completed after September 4, 2026.
3. Boxed mixes are not to be used.
4. All entries must be exhibited in clear plastic zipper bags on white disposable plates or in clear “clamshell” containers unless otherwise indicated.

Standards

Breads, Rolls, Biscuits & Muffins: ½ loaf bread or ½-dozen rolls/biscuits/muffins. Appearance: looks tender and good, even, golden brown color, good shape. Texture: fine, even grain; small thin cell walls; light for size. Crumb: good color; slightly moist; light and elastic; tender. Flavor: good, well-blended flavor, pleasing.

Cakes & Cupcakes: Whole cake or 3 cupcakes on a foil-covered cardboard base not exceeding 13″ square. Cakes must not exceed 12″ in height. Texture: light, tender, fine and uniform grain. Crumb: slightly moist.

Pies: 1/8 slice or individual. Crust is golden brown; uniform, attractive edge free of cracks or breaks. Texture: flaky, layered, crisp, not doughy.

Cookies: 6 cookies per entry, uniform size, not over 3 inches in diameter.

Candies: 6 pieces per entry. Texture: smooth consistency, free of crystals.

Class A2 – Food Preservation

Rules

1. All entries must be the product of the home kitchen.
2. All items for long-term storage must have been completed after September 15, 2026.
3. All items for short-term storage ought to have been completed after September 1, 2026.
4. The USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning (2015) will be the official guide for water-bath and pressure-canned items.
5. All entries must be in clean, regulation half-pint, pint, or quart canning jars. Entries with rusty lids will not be accepted.
6. Jars must be sealed with two-piece vacuum caps with the jar ring left on. No zinc or paraffin lids.
7. Jars must be labeled with: Contents; Type of processing; Length of processing time; Pounds of pressure; Date of preparation.
8. Canned tomatoes should document the addition and amount of lemon juice or citric acid at processing time.
9. Any jar may be opened at the discretion of the judges.
10. Dehydrated/freeze-dried items must be in regulation canning jars or vacuum-sealed bags, labeled with contents, processing type, and date.

Class A3 – Homebrewing

Rules for Wine

1. Open to amateur winemakers 21+ who are current Virginia residents using Virginia-grown grapes.
2. One (1) 750 ml bottle (or equivalent) required per entry.
3. A varietal wine must consist of a minimum of 75% of that grape, fruit or vegetable.
4. A vintage date requires that a minimum of 95% of the grapes or fruit used come from that stated year.
5. Please state the residual sugar if known, otherwise state dry or sweet.

Rules for Beer/Cider/Mead

1. Brewers must be Virginia residents, 21+, brewing for private non-commercial use.
2. Each entry consists of three (3) 12 oz. bottles or cans.
3. Bottles must carry no labels or identification. Please blackout all commercial cap designs.

Division B – Home Arts

Class B1 – Needlework

Rules

1. All submissions must be clean, finished, and ready for use/display, completed after September 15, 2026.
2. Items presented in protective covering will be removed for judging.
3. Clothing may be for an adult or child and must be accompanied by a hanger.

Class B2 – Hobbies & Crafts

Rules

1. All submissions must be clean, finished, and ready for use/display, completed after September 15, 2026.
2. Drawings, photographs, and paintings should be matted and/or framed.
3. Photographs must be the exhibitor’s own work – no exceptions.
4. Small articles such as jewelry must be mounted on cardboard.

Division C – Shop Arts

Rules

1. Submissions must be the exhibitor’s own work – no exceptions.
2. All submissions must be clean, finished, and ready for use/display, completed after September 15, 2026.
3. Exhibitors entering models with a footprint larger than 2′ x 2′ must provide their own table.
4. All entries judged on quality of workmanship, finish, scale/proportion, functionality, and durability.

Class D1 – Fruits & Vegetables

Rules

1. All submissions must be grown by the exhibitor from their home garden and harvested after September 15, 2026.
2. No waxing or polishing product. Exhibits must contain the number of items specified.
3. All entries must be exhibited on white disposable plates unless otherwise indicated.

Class D2 – Hay

1. All submissions must be grown by the exhibitor from owned or leased property, harvested after September 15, 2026.
2. Enter 3 flakes from a square bale or similar amount from a round bale, tied with string.

Class D3 – Field Crops

1. All submissions must be grown by the exhibitor from owned or leased property, harvested after September 15, 2026.
2. Tie stalks or shocks with string. Ears of corn should be entered with ½ husks pulled down but still attached.

Class D4 – Honey & Beeswax

1. All submissions must be produced by the exhibitor from their own beehives after September 15, 2026.
2. Enter honey in a pint or quart glass jar.

Class D5 – Eggs

1. All submissions must be produced by the exhibitor’s own birds after September 1, 2026.
2. Enter eggs in a plain carton, free from identifying marks.

Division E – Horticulture

All Floral Displays must be brought to the Reel Arena/East Complex on Thursday, September 10 between 7:00 am and 12:00 pm.

Rules

1. Displayed items must be solely the work of the exhibitor.
2. Garden Club or other organization membership is not required.
3. Only fresh plant material may be used unless otherwise noted.
4. No artificial flowers, fruit, or foliage are permitted.
5. Cut plants must be singly displayed in an appropriately sized clear container.
6. Flowers may be displayed singly or up to three stems per container.
7. Container-grown plants must have been in the possession of the exhibitor for not less than three months.
8. Two exhibits per class may be entered.
9. Entries may not exceed 24″ width and 24″ height.
10. The exhibitor’s name should be on the bottom of all containers.
11. Any container not collected at the conclusion of the Fair will be donated or disposed of in a suitable manner.
12. Entries must be free of mites and other plant bugs. If bugs are detected, the item will be removed from the Expo, and the exhibitor will be asked to retrieve the item.
13. Native plants on the 1979 Virginia Conservation list may not be used unless grown by an exhibitor and so labeled.

Division F – Fair Fantastics

For children aged 8 and younger (as of September 1, 2026). Each entry will receive a participation ribbon. A trophy will be awarded to the best-judged entry.

Division G – Educational Displays

Rules

1. All displays must have a title that can be easily read.
2. The space available for displays is 2′ x 4′ on a tabletop.
3. Displays or any part of the display may not be entered in another department.
4. Adult exhibitors awarded a white ribbon will not receive premium points.