Photo Credit: State Fair of Texas® Archives
By Karissa Condoianis, Senior VP, PR, State Fair of Texas | Contributor
Dating back to 1886, creative arts has always been one of our most treasured State Fair of Texas traditions, and although the 2020 State Fair is on hiatus due to current landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, we did what we do best and found a way to creatively keep this tradition alive. The revised 2020 Creative Arts Handbook includes more than 900 arts & crafts contests – and the registration deadline has been extended to September 1, 2020. While historically the Fair has more than 1,100 contests, we are committed to offering as many creative arts participation opportunities in a safe environment for our participants, to carry-on our nonprofit mission of promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement.
“While we are all still processing the loss of the 2020 State Fair of Texas this year due to COVID-19, we are committed to maintaining as many participation opportunities as possible for our community members who participate in creative arts and livestock each year.”
The State Fair of Texas is excited to continue offering a large portion of the arts and crafts contests that you know and love, even in this unprecedented environment of COVID-19. The following departments will showcase more than 900 contests:
- Fine Art
- Ceramics and Hand-Painted China
- Designer Craftsman
- Dolls
- Canning
- Hobby Collections
- Holiday Corner
- Needlepoint, Crewel, and Counted Cross Stitch
- Needlework and Sewing
- Afghans, Rugs, Quilts, and Bedspreads
- Photography
- Glue-a-Shoe
- Pumpkin Challenge
Detail on specific contests* can be found in the revised 2020 Creative Arts Handbook – you can view or download the digital Handbook at BigTex.com/CreativeArts.
*Contests may be added or adjusted for the revised 2020 Handbook if any orders are in place by local, state, or federal agencies, or if health and safety concerns exist.
The revised 2020 Creative Arts Handbook features arts & crafts contests that we have the capability to execute safely, while still maintaining a State Fair of Texas quality level contest. Unfortunately, we must postpone the Big Tex BBQ & Chili Challenge, as well as the cooking contests, until 2021 due to the nature of these competitions, in addition to health and safety concerns. With our participant’s health and safety as our number one priority, the State Fair will implement all preventive measures recommended by the CDC and other relevant health agencies for these contests. We encourage participants to utilize the mail-in option for arts & crafts contest submissions; however, should they choose to hand-deliver their item(s), we have delayed the drop off dates to September 9 through September 13 and will be enforcing all necessary safety and social distancing protocols.
We are no different than a patchwork quilt – made up of so many beautiful, unique fabrics, stitched together by our creative minds and Texas pride.
Artisans; Painters, chefs, woodworkers, quilters, designers, inventors, collectors, seamstresses, bakers, photographers, and decorators; Children and adults; Amateurs and professionals; Texans. We are no different than a patchwork quilt – made up of so many beautiful, unique fabrics, stitched together by our creative minds and Texas pride. Now more than ever, we must embrace that spirit and Texas pride, by exuding our creativity and bringing joy to our family, friends, and neighbors of the Lone Star State. It can be challenging to get together in person these days, but our creative arts contests serve as a wonderful opportunity to build a virtual community with those you love by sharing a common goal and activity. Whether you are a first timer or a creative arts veteran – you just might take home a blue ribbon in 2020!
Should there be additional changes or information regarding the revised 2020 creative arts contests please check back on BigTex.com/CreativeArts for information. The 2021 State Fair of Texas is scheduled to run Friday, September 24 through Sunday, October 17 in historic Fair Park.
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About the State Fair of Texas
Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with proceeds helping to preserve and improve our home, Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives, and scholarship programs to support students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and help improve State Fair operations. The 2021 exposition runs September 24 through October 17 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information.