Competitions
Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show -> Competitions
OVER $100,000.00 IN PRIZES!
Each year, the Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show comes to life, celebrating the passion, dedication, and incredible talents of the creators, growers, makers, and dreamers in our community. This beloved event is a time-honored tradition where people of all ages come together to showcase their hard work and creativity across a wide range of categories, from agricultural displays and crafts to culinary creations and fine arts. We invite you to be part of the excitement and put your skills to the test for a chance to earn bragging rights, beautiful rosettes, and a share of over $100,000.00 in available prizes. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a first-time participant, there’s something for everyone at the Norfolk County Fair. Join us in celebrating the spirit of community, talent, and tradition.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER YOUR 2026 ENTRIES IS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26.
Competitions FAQ – Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show
1. Who can enter competitions at the Fair?
Competitions are open to exhibitors of all ages; you can enter your age group OR above. NEVER below. We welcome entries from across Norfolk County and beyond, with categories ranging from livestock and produce to quilting, baking, crafts, photography, and more.
2. How do I enter a competition?
You can register your entries online through our website. Entry deadlines vary by division, so please check theCompetitions Guide for exact dates.
3. How do I enter my class/students through a school?
There are two options.
- Have students open an account with their school email, using the school’s phone number, and remember to add the school’s name in the drop-down menu.
- If your students are younger, a teacher may create a profile and add each student under their profile. ALL prize money with a school attached to it will go to that school.
If you have any questions, please email competitions@norfolkcountyfair.com
4. Is there an entry fee?
There is a $10 Exhibitor Fee to participate in the general competition department at the Fair. There are no individual entry fees per class. Instead, a 15% holdback on awarded prize money is applied as a “Fair Share”contribution. This modest amount helps support the Norfolk County Agricultural Society, a registered charity, and ensures we can continue to offer high-quality competitions year after year.
There is no exhibitor fee collected on JUNIOR entries.
5. Why is 15% withheld from prize winnings?
The 15% retention applies toall exhibitor prize winnings, whether the class is sponsored or unsponsored. Sponsorships are considered donations to the Norfolk County Agricultural Society and go in full toward supporting competitions and prize funds.
This practice is standard at many fairs. As a registered charity, the retention helps offset the high costs of competitions — including facilities, judges, prize payouts, and administration — and ensures the long-term sustainability of the Fair.
6. Where do I drop off my entries?
Homecraft Basement:
Junior Crafts, Junior Culinary Arts, Junior Art, Special Needs, Educational Projects, Kiddie Korner, Junior Needlework
Upper Homecraft Building:
Sr. Culinary Arts, Quilts, Needlework, Community Project, Retirement/Nursing Homes, Group Displays, Paint by Numbers, Art, & Crafts, 4-H
Grandstand:
Field Crops, Garden Products, Pumpkin & Squash, Fruit, Honey, Plants & Flowers, Professional Florists, Junior Plants and Flowers, Junior Garden Products, Junior Field Crops, Junior Fruit, 4-H
7. How do I collect my prize money?
Cash Prize Pick-Up: General Earnings under $20 will be paid in cash only at the Fair Office. All Junior prize money is paid out in cash. All entries made through a school will be sent to the school.
- Junior Saturday, October 10th – Friday, October 30th, 2026
- General Wednesday, October 14th – Friday, October 30th, 2026
Pick up at the Fair Office – 172 South Drive Simcoe BLDG # 5. - Unclaimed cash prizes after Friday October 30th, 2026, will be forfeited and considered as a donation to the NCAS.
Cheque Prize Pick-Up:
- Available from Wednesday, October 14th to Friday, October 30th, 2026 at the Fair Office – 172 South Drive, Simcoe BLDG # 5.
- After Friday, October 30th, the remaining cheques will be mailed out (subject to postal service availability).
Please ensure your contact and mailing information are correct when you register.
8. Where can I find the full competition rules?
All rules and regulations are available in the annual Competitions Guide on our website. This includes entry deadlines, rules by division, and prize structures.
9. When can I pick up my entries?
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM or 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the same building where you dropped them off.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, between 3 pm and 5 pm in the Homecraft Building Basement (Junior Fair)
Items not picked up by 5 pm Wednesday, October 15, 2026, will be recycled.
10. Do I need to bring my check-in document to pick up?
Yes we strongly encourage bringing your check-in document with you to ensure you take home all of your entries.