Since its inception the McHenry County Fair has offered community members a chance to compete in various exhibition categories, and this year’s fair is no different. For 2024 there are 36 different McHenry County Fair exhibition categories that create over a hundred different classes for community members as young as three years old to compete in. That is over a hundred different opportunities to show off anything from the livestock they have worked hard to breed and raise, or the home and creative skills they have developed throughout their life.
The McHenry County Fair has a dedicated following of exhibitors across all categories, but the McHenry County Fair Association (MCFA) loves seeing new members each and every year. Most categories offer open and junior classes, and separate classes for amateurs and semi-pros. Read on for more information about each exhibition category and find a class (or more) that matches your unique skills and experience.
“Why should I enter a McHenry County Fair exhibition?”
As mentioned, the McHenry County Fair provides an excellent opportunity for locals to see how their skills compare to others, and earn recognition and titles for activities they might consider a hobby. However, the idea of competing is terrifying to many. Still there are tons of benefits to enter a local exhibition.
MORE Reasons to Enter a McHenry County Fair Exhibition
- Build connections and friendships among a group of like-minded locals.
- Challenge yourself to advance your skills, or learn about and develop a new skill or interest.
- Competition can build confidence, or help you prioritize time for important crafts and hobbies.
- Work on a project or side-by-side with a friend or family member to strengthen your bond.
- And MORE!
Livestock Exhibitions
The 2024 McHenry County Fair offers nine different Open Livestock exhibition categories and seven different Junior Livestock categories, with multiple divisions and classes for each category. Below is a quick overview of the 2024 Open and Junior Livestock categories.
Open Livestock
- Open Beef
- Open Dairy
- Open Sheep
- Open Dairy Goats (Dry Stock and Milking Stock)
- Open Swine
- Open Poultry
- Open Pigeons
- Open Rabbits
- Open Alpacas
Junior Livestock
- Jr. Beef
- Jr. Dairy
- Jr. Sheep (Breed Show and Market Lamb)
- Jr. Goats
- Jr. Swine
- Jr. Rabbits
- Jr. Open Judging Contest
Go to mchenrycountyfair.com/exhibitors to view and download Fair Book pages for each category and register. 2024 McHenry County Fair registration ends July 14, 2024 at midnight.
Home Arts & Crafts Exhibitions
The 2024 McHenry County Fair offers 10 different Open Home & Creative Arts categories, and eight different Junior Home & Creative Arts categories, plus special non-compete divisions for children seven and under.
Open Home & Creative Arts
- Open Grains, Veggies, and Fruits
- Open Flowers
- Open Sewing
- Open Art
- Open Crafts and Needlework
- Open Photography
- Open Foods
- Open Honey
- Open Writing
- Open Antiques
Junior Home & Creative Arts
- Jr. Grains, Veggies, and Fruits
- Jr. Flowers
- Jr. Sewing
- Jr. Crafts and Needlework
- Jr. Art
- Jr. Photography
- Jr. Foods
- Jr. Honey
7 & Under Non-Compete Categories
Division and class info for each 7 and under category can be found on the Fair Book pages for each class’s respective Junior Home & Creative Arts category.
- Mommy & Me (Jr. Sewing)
- Little Crafters (Jr. Crafts and Needlework)
- Little Chefs (Jr. Foods)
- Little Dabblers (Jr. Arts)
- Little Photo Bugs (Jr. Photography)
Go to mchenrycountyfair.com/exhibitors to view and download Fair Book pages for each category and register. 2024 McHenry County Fair registration ends July 14, 2024 at midnight.
Horse Show Exhibitions
The 2024 McHenry County Fair has two Open Horse Show categories.
Open Horse Shows
- Open Horse Show
- Open Horse Fun Show
Go to mchenrycountyfair.com/exhibitors to view and download Fair Book pages for each category and register. 2024 McHenry County Fair registration ends July 14, 2024 at midnight.
“How do I register for a McHenry County Fair exhibition?”
The first step for registering to compete in a McHenry County Fair exhibition is to select and download the Fair Book page for the category you wish you enter, which is available on the “Exhibitors” page on the McHenry County Fair website. On this page users can view and download the full variety of exhibitions categories. The forms are divided up into Livestock, Home Arts & Crafts, Horse Shows, Jr. Livestock, and Jr. Home Arts & Crafts.
After selecting their exhibition categories, prospective exhibitors can register for their exhibition competitions and pay their registration fees through the registration link located at the top of the “Exhibitors” page. Once registration is complete, all exhibitors have left to do is arrive prepared at the correct time and location of their exhibition. Exhibitors should also refer to their Fair Book page to make sure they fulfill any pre-judging requirements for each exhibition category they enter.
Registration for the 2024 McHenry County Fair ends July 14, 2024 at midnight. Your spot cannot be guaranteed if you attempt to register after this date and time.
Once again, competing in a McHenry County Fair exhibition is a great way to test your skills, earn recognition for your hobbies, and build connections within a community of like-minded people.
The McHenry County Fair Association encourages your participation and we hope to see you compete in the 2024 McHenry County Fair exhibitions.