The 2026 Elizabethtown Fair will include a variety of contests. The fair will run from Monday to Saturday, Aug. 24 to 29, at the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, 900 E. High St. To learn more about the fair, visit http://www.etownfair.com.

Several competitions will be held in celebration of the United States' 250th birthday. Exhibitors may enter only one item in one category. The entry must be patriotic and include the colors red, white and blue, but it may not be political. Exhibitors must be amateurs. The entries will be judged on overall appearance, creativity, and workmanship. Entries must be registered through the Showman App by midnight on Friday, Aug. 21. Each category will have one winner, who will receive a cash prize.

The categories are vegetables; baked goods, consisting of cakes, cookies, and bars; flowers; needlecraft; art; photography; and handcrafts.

Vegetable entries must use vegetables grown by the exhibitor. The vegetables may be painted or presented in a patriotic display, and the exhibit may not exceed 18 by 18 inches.

Baked goods must be baked from scratch. Cakes should not exceed 13 inches long by 18 inches wide or 12 inches in diameter. Entries will be judged on appearance and taste and then sold at the baked goods auction.

All flower entries must be grown and displayed by the exhibitor. Each exhibit should be an artistic arrangement not exceeding 12 inches long by 12 inches wide by 15 inches high.

Needlecrafts are limited to wall hangings and will be displayed on a clothesline. Each exhibit should not exceed 24 by 24 inches.

Any art entry must be in a frame and should not exceed a 90-inch perimeter, including the frame.

A photograph must be 8 by 10 inches and must be submitted in a page protector.

Handcrafts entries should not exceed 12 inches long by 18 inches wide. Legos and K'nex toys are not included in this contest, which is sponsored by Elizabethtown Area Grange 2076.

The annual essay contest and poetry contest will again be held as part of the Elizabethtown Fair. Entries must be original and may not be generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

The essay should have the titles "My Favorite Things at the Fair" for students in first through fifth grades and "What I Learn From Going to the Fair" for those in sixth through eighth grades. For students in grades nine through 12 as well as adults, the essay should address the question "As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, how does the Elizabethtown Fair continue to exemplify the principles of that document?"

The essay may be handwritten or typed. It may not exceed one page typed or two pages written and must be neat and legible. Judging will be based on clarity of expression, content, creativity, grammar, and organization.

The poem may be titled "Why I Like the Elizabethtown Fair" or any other title relating to the Elizabethtown Fair.

The poem may not exceed two pages in length. It must be neat and legible and may be handwritten or typed. Judging will be based on clarity of expression, content, and creativity.

Both contests are open to students in grades one to 12 and adults. There will be age divisions for judging. Prize money and ribbons will be awarded for five placings in each age division.

A cover sheet listing the entrant's name, address, phone number, and grade just completed or adult must accompany the essay and/or poem. Names should be on the cover sheet and not on the poem or essay. Entries are to be submitted in a page protector.

Essay and poetry exhibits may be picked up on Aug. 29 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, 996 E. High St.

A drug awareness poster contest will be open to students in kindergarten through grade eight. All posters must be on 11-by-14-inch poster board and must be done in dark pens, markers, or crayons. Posters must be neat and legible and will be judged on content and appearance. The creator's name, address, and phone number should be noted on the back of the poster. There will be five age divisions for judging purposes, and ribbons and prize money will be awarded to five places in each division.

Essay, poetry, and poster submissions will be received at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church on Aug. 24 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Entries will be displayed throughout the week.

For more information about the drug awareness poster contest, call Sally at 717-653-5985.