The Elizabethtown Fair invites community members to participate in several competitions.

The Group Exhibits competition is open to any group of youths, adults, or both. Exhibitors may include 4-H, FFA, family, school, scouting, industrial and commercial groups. The first-place exhibit will receive a cash prize.

Group exhibits should be tabletop exhibits less than or equal to 4-by-10-by-6 feet. They should provide the viewer with a better understanding of agriculture and/or agribusiness either through their educational value or their promotion of a product. The judging criteria are as follows: attracts attention, arouses interest, conveys a message, design, workmanship, originality.

There is an entry fee, and entries must be postmarked by Sunday, Aug. 1. For information on how to enter the competition, contact Sally at 717-367-7256.

Participants in the fair may also enter the wine and beer competition, which includes commercial and non-commercial classes. Entries will be accepted on Friday, Aug. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Barton Signs and Apparel, 147 E. Harrisburg Ave., Elizabethtown. After judging, the empty containers will be displayed at the fair. Complete details and a general entry form are available in the premium book and at http://www.etownfair.com. For more information, contact Matt Swartz at 717-580-5409.

The annual essay and poetry contest will be held again this year. Entrants' original essays or poems may be titled "Why I Like the Elizabethtown Fair" or any other title relating to the fair. Both contests are open to students in grades one through 12 and adults.

Essays and poems may be handwritten or typed, but they must be neat and legible. Essays may not exceed one page typed or two pages handwritten, and judging will be based on clarity of expression, content, creativity, grammar and organization. Poems may not exceed two pages in length; judging will be based on clarity of expression, content and creativity.

Participants must include a cover sheet listing their name, address, phone number and grade just completed or specifying that they are an adult. The author's name should not be given on the poem or essay itself. Entries should be submitted in a page protector. All entries will be received on Monday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ (BIC) Church, 996 E High St.

Divisions for judging will be grades one through three, grades four and five, grades six through eight, grades nine through 12 and adult. Prize money and ribbons will be awarded for five places in each age division. Essays and poems will be exhibited during the fair and may be picked up on Sunday, Aug. 29, between 3 and 6 p.m. at Elizabethtown BIC Church.