People who enter the American 250 PA Apron Contest will have a chance to reap what they sew.

The top three finishers at the Solanco Fair will each receive a cash prize, and the blue-ribbon winner will move on to the state competition with an opportunity to bring home more cash.

The contest is sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs (PSACF). "A flyer came to the (Solanco Fair) office, and since I'm in charge of the sewing area, they asked if we wanted to do this," Connie Rutt said. "I thought, 'Why not?' We have a good corps of sewers here in the Southern End."

Rutt said the contest could create even more interest in sewing competitions. "The numbers have gone down over the years," she said. "We don't have quite as many doing it. We have a few more young people the last couple years entering, and it's a great thing to promote in the area and to participate in the state farm show."

The apron competition is only for residents of Pennsylvania, and each person can only enter one apron. Participants are required to use the colors red, white, or blue, or a combination. The apron must be made in 2025.

Judges will score aprons on a 100-point scale, with a maximum of 25 points awarded for overall appearance, 25 points for creativity, 30 points for workmanship and suitability of materials, and 20 points for design and color.

Entries for the Solanco Fair must be taken to the fairgrounds, South Lime Street, Quarryville, between noon and 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16; the judging will take place the following morning.

The PSACF encouraged local fairs to find a contest sponsor, and the Solanco Fair has teamed with Farm Women Society 31, which will cover the premiums for the local contest. The first-place winner will earn $50, the second-place finisher will receive $25, and the third-place finisher will get $10, said Rutt, who is a founding member of Farm Women Society 31.

In addition to the $50 first prize, the winning apron will earn a place in the 2026 PA Farm Show, where first place will be worth $250, second place will earn $150, and third place will pay $100.

"Competition at the state level is pretty big," Rutt said. "It's going to be a tough competition for sure."

Rutt stated that the apron contests at the fairs is a fitting way to celebrate America's semiquincentennial. "Next year is a big year," she said. "It's the 250th birthday (of the country). Lancaster County comes from a sewing background, and the making of things is a biggie in Lancaster County and southern Lancaster County, especially. I was a sewing leader for 40 years in the 4-H Club. There's still a lot of kids doing it. ... It's still a craft that people want to learn to do. So I have a feeling that we're going to get a very good turnout for this. I think we'll have quite a few people. ... Our fair is very patriotic. It brings the whole community together, and what a better way to celebrate that."

Call Rutt at 717-940-5036 for more information about the Solanco Fair apron contest.