Crafts & Collections

2026 Entry Instructions

ONLINE ENTRY IS REQUIRED. To be an Exhibitor, click on the Online Entry link and follow the instructions. If you have questions, or are unable to complete the online form, please contact the department superintendent.

Entry deadlines are listed on the Entry Deadlines and Delivery Schedule page.

Rules

1. Entries must be entirely the work of the exhibitor.
2. Articles previously exhibited at the Durham Fair will not be accepted.
3. The judges’ decisions are final. The Danish system is used whereby each entry is judged on its own merit. Multiple awards may be given in each class.
4. Items must be clean and free of dust, dirt, animal hair or other debris. Unclean items will not be accepted. Department leadership reserves the right to not judge or display any items that do not meet these exhibit standards.
5. All craft entries must be ready for display when dropped off in the department. Items must be assembled, with components securely attached, before the entry will be accepted at check-in. Craft exhibitors may not assemble their entry in the staging area during exhibitor drop off.
6. When possible, a committee member oversees the Department at all times during the Fair. The building is locked at night and security guards are on duty. However, the Fair is not responsible for anything damaged, lost or stolen.
7. Committee will be responsible for displaying craft items; items will be moved during set-up of crafts exhibits.
8. Exhibitors may submit ONLY 1 ENTRY IN EACH category or subcategory.
9. Multiple Items within the same category will not be accepted unless part of a related set. Acceptance of sets is at the discretion of department leadership.
10. Any entry which requires hanging must be equipped with screw eyes, hooks, wire or other necessary hardware.
11. Professionals may enter exhibits in all categories, however they must do so under their personal name. A professional is one who sells the articles exhibited. The department will not display promotional items or company names/logos within the exhibit displays or on item tags.
12. Please DESCRIBE THE EXHIBIT on the entry form. DO NOT LIST the category description.
13. Items created using Silhouette/Cricut or other laser-cut tools must include an index card noting which elements were crafted using machining.
14. Exhibitors may share any information with your entry that might be helpful to fairgoers; please include no more than 2 index cards or one 8.5" × 11" page.
15. No articles made from kits will be accepted EXCEPT in categories indicated. Crafts made from Diamond Art kits will NOT be accepted.
16. Jewelry—Metal Work categories include hammering, drawing, spinning, casting, or other decorative processes such as embossing, chasing, repousse, damascening, enamel work, filigree, inlaying, and gilding. Items that merely contain metal beads, without other techniques applied to the item, will not be accepted.
17. Exhibits may be picked up between 6 and 7:30 PM on Sun. and between 4 and 7 PM on Mon. following the Fair.
18. Collections exhibitors must submit their display size requests when entering. Case assignments will be shared in late August or once the entry period closes. No more than 2 cases per exhibitor unless extra cases are available; please contact the assistant superintendent from Collections. Only 18 cases of each size are available. We will work to accommodate all requests for collection display cases, however, requested spaces are not guaranteed.
19. Limited space for “outside collections” is available and are limited to footprints no larger than 4' × 5'. Collection exhibitors must submit their display requests when entering. Case assignments will be shared in late August or once the entry period closes. We will work to accommodate all requests for collections, however, requested spaces are not guaranteed.
20. Six “triangle” cases are available for collections (20D × 29W × 24H). Collection exhibitors must submit their display requests when entering. Case assignments will be shared in late August or once the entry period closes. We will work to accommodate all requests for collection display cases, however, requested spaces are not guaranteed.
21. For safety reasons, exhibits may not include firearms or live ammunition.
22. Exhibits may be picked up between 6 and 7:30 PM on Sun. and between 4 and 7 PM on Mon. following the Fair.

Judging Criteria

Collections will be judged on the following elements:

• Creativity
• Content
• Originality
• Presentation (including cleanliness and neatness)

Craft entries will be judged on the following elements:

• Creativity
• Skill/Craftsmanship
• Aesthetic Quality (composition, balance, design)
• Presentation/Neatness

2026 Themed Rosette: America The Beautiful

The Personal Skills departments will once again celebrate a shared special theme across their departments! We will be awarding TWO Rosettes in Crafts & Collections – one for Craft item and one for a Collection. Items entered into ANY of our regular Crafts or Collections categories will be considered for this Rosette if the entry fits the special category theme, as well as any of the other awards or rosettes for which that item is eligible. Entries should highlight the theme AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL. In honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we are honoring American history at this year's fair. The goal is to celebrate this special anniversary, inspire fairgoers to reflect on our celebrate, honor our community, and strengthen our love of country. We’re excited to see entries that demonstrate our exhibitors’ idea of what makes America Beautiful.

Awards

Special Category

• 2026 Themed Rosette: America the Beautiful

Collections

• 1st: $8 and ribbon
• 2nd: $6 and ribbon
• 3rd: $4 and ribbon
• 4th: Ribbon only
• Rosette: Best Collection of Dolls or Toys
• Rosette: Best Collection of Antiques
• Rosette: Best Memorabilia Collection
• Rosette: Best Display
• Special Rosette: Best of Show, Collection

Crafts

• 1st: $8 and ribbon
• 2nd: $6 and ribbon
• 3rd: $4 and ribbon
• 4th: ribbon only
• Rosette: Best Holiday Article
• Rosette: Best Wooden Article
• Rosette: Best Jewelry
• Rosette: Best Pottery
• Rosette: Best of Early American Crafts
• Rosette: Best Hand Painted Article
• Rosette: Best Children’s Article
• Rosette: Best Paper Craft
• Rosette: Best Craft by Senior Citizen
• Special Rosette: Best of Show, Crafts

Cheryle M. King Memorial Crafters Award

A special award will be given for a craft voted on by the Craft and Collections Committee in memory of Cheryle M. King, former Asst. Superintendent for Crafts. The award will be a Special Ribbon and inscription on a plaque with the winners name permanently displayed in the Department’s Best of the Best.

Frederick J. Mastele Memorial Collections Award

A special award will be given for a collection voted on by the Craft and Collections Committee in memory of Frederick J. Mastele, former Asst. Superintendent for Collections. The award will be a Special Ribbon and inscription on a plaque with the winners name permanently displayed in the Department’s Best of the Best.