Vegetables

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. The building will close at 9 PM on Tuesday of Fair week, which is the day entries are due, starting at 2 PM. Allow yourself enough time to set up your entries to meet this deadline.
2. All vegetables must be raised by the exhibitor.
3. Please include on your entry form any and all vegetables you HOPE will be ready at Fair time, even though they may not be.
4. All exhibits must be pre-registered; no walk-ins will be accepted
5. Only 1 entry can be made of the same variety by 1 exhibitor, either singly or in a collection in each class.
6. All exhibits must remain on display for the length of the Fair. Exhibits may be picked up Sunday between 6–8 PM and Monday following the Fair between 5–7 PM. ON SUNDAY, VEHICLES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON THE GROUNDS BEFORE 7 PM.
7. Any exhibits not picked up by 7 PM on Monday become the property of the Durham Fair Association. If you wish, your exhibits can be donated to a local food bank. Checks will be mailed to winners who cannot pick up their prize. Ribbons will not be mailed.
8. All exhibits of vegetables offered for premium must be composed of exactly the number of specimens or quantity named in the schedule. All varieties of vegetables cannot possibly be listed in this Guide but all new varieties or other specimens not listed are welcomed for exhibit.
9. The specimens offered for exhibit must match the description on the entry form. SUBSTITUTION IS NOT PERMITTED.
10. Exhibits are judged by variety, but the judges may, at their discretion, combine varieties into a single group if there are not sufficient entries of 1 variety.

Judging Pointers

• Clean, Free From Injury: Not over 2% waste and not more than slightly affecting the appearance.
• Uniform in Size, Shape and Color: Not over 10% in variation.
• Of the Best Market Size and Quality;
  • Beets: 11⁄2 to 3” in diameter
  • Carrots: 1 to 21⁄2” in diameter
  • Onions: Over 2” in diameter
  • Potatoes: 6 to 10 oz.
  • True to variety type

Note: Space is limited for Vegetable Displays and Specials (Classes PA and PH) and will be allocated to the exhibitors whose entry forms are received earliest. Due to limitations on space, vegetables and autumn yard display entries must be received by Thurs., two week prior to the Fair.

Special Awards

J. Burton Gastler Memorial Award

A special award will be given for the Best Collection, in memory of J. Burton Gastler by the Gastler family. The award will be a Special Ribbon, $50 and a Plaque with the winners name permanently displayed in the Department.

Nancy Montes Memorial Award

The Nancy Montes Rosette, given in memory of Nancy Montes by her family, will be awarded to the blue ribbon exhibitor for best Herb Collection. Nancy was a dedicated gardener, and herbs were her specialty. She was a member of both the Vegetables and Fruits Departments for over 25 years, many of those years as either the superintendent or assistant superintendent.

Best of Show

Best of show will be awarded to individual vegetables in the following 9 categories:

1. Vine vegetables (pumpkin, squash, cucumbers, etc.).
2. Root vegetables (radishes, beets, turnips, etc.).
3. Tomatoes (Big Boy, cherry, etc.).
4. Peppers (bell, frying, etc.).
5. Other stalk vegetable (eggplant, corn, etc.).
6. Most unique vegetable.
7. Individual herbs.
8. Best potted plant.
9. Best dried; fruit, vegetable or combination.
10. Best eggs.

Each Best of Show will receive a rosette ribbon.

The Shirley Harris Rosette

The Shirley Harris Rosette will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most blue ribbons in Individual Vegetables (Class PC).