In an effort to recognize fairs who excel in the fair industry
The North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs makes
awards presentations at its annual convention. In an effort to
make the award program even for all, fairs are divided into
four categories and judging is done by a person or persons not
involved with a fair in the category of the fair being judged.
- Category 1 fairs are fairs whose paid attendance is from
0 to 25, 000 people.
- Category 2 fair attendance is between 25,001 - 100,000
- Category 3 fairs have attendance of over 100,000
Governmental fairs, or fairs that are operated by city,
county, or state governments are in a separate category for
the awards program. An Agricultural Award, Youth Award, and a
Media Award are presented in these four categories each year.
A fourth award, the Image Award, is given in categories 1, 2,
and 3 to a fair that is said to have the best fair of its size
for that year.
Fair Awards Criteria
IMAGE AWARD
The prestigious Image Award is given annually to fairs (one in
each Category - I, II, and III) that truly represents what a
NC Agricultural Fair should be. Award winning fairs will have
a balance of outstanding agricultural and youth exhibits and
displays, livestock exhibits and/or livestock shows, contests,
entertainment, commercial displays, a variety of foods, and a
good carnival (some small fairs may not have carnivals). Also,
the fair will involve many individuals, groups, organizations,
and clubs and generally be a cross-section of the area served.
The facilities and grounds should be clean, neat, and customer
friendly. Customers attending the fair are provided with a
safe environment and friendly, inviting atmosphere. The fair
will be very progressive and making improvements based on
available resources.
The fairs winning the Image Award should be and are striving
to epitomize the characteristics of what a good agricultural
fair is all about.
AGRICULTURE AWARD
The Agriculture Award is given annually to fairs (one in each
Category I, II, III, and Governmental) that best showcase
agriculture and the agricultural heritage of the area served.
The fairs have outstanding quality and quantity of
agricultural-related competitive exhibits and displays. Also,
the fairs have agricultural-related commercial exhibits and
involve agricultural agencies, agricultural commodity groups
and organizations. Agricultural products including new and
antique (old) agricultural machinery and equipment are
displayed and farm-related demonstrations are on-going.
Livestock and poultry exhibits and/or livestock shows are
representative of the area served. Agricultural-related
contests and entertainment are carried out at the fairs to
further showcase agriculture. Landscaping and/or decorations
are another way agricultural products are showcased. New areas
for agricultural competitions and/or displays, as well as,
innovative ideas expressing our agricultural heritage play a
prominent roll at these fairs and add variety and educational
value.
YOUTH AWARD
The Youth Award is given annually to fairs (one in each
Category I, II, III, and Governmental) that best showcases
youth and youth activities of the area served. Factors
involved in determining youth award winners are (1) numbers of
individuals, schools, school organizations and clubs, and
other youth organizations such as 4-H, Scouts, etc.,
(2) quality and quantity of competitive exhibits and displays
or educational booths, (3) variety of youth contests and
overall participation, (4) youth participation in Junior
Livestock Shows and/or as livestock exhibitors, (5)
involvement in special events and activities for youth, (6)
having youth involvement with the fair such as workers,
directors, or a Junior Fair Board, and (7) participation in
scholarship programs either locally or with the NCAOAF or
both.
Since youth are the future of Agricultural Fairs, the winning
fairs recognize the importance of youth participation and
involvement and strive to improve and add youth activities.
MEDIA AWARD
The Media Award is given annually to fairs (one in each
Category I, II, III, and Governmental) that have the best
overall advertising and public relations campaigns. Entries
are judged on creativity, attractiveness, originality, and
overall effectiveness. Entries include catalog or tabloid,
newspaper advertising, radio and television advertising,
billboards, specialty advertising, news releases and news
articles, website information and any other advertising or
public relations materials that are used
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