General Rules:
1. Pre-registration via online registration is mandatory. Online registration is available at www.hcfair.net and will close at Midnight on Thursday, January 22rd, 2026. NO PAPER ENTRIES. A picture or PDF of each entry will be asked for when you complete registration. If you need help registering on-line contact the Fair Office at info@hcfair.net or call to set-up an appointment at 863-382-2255, option 1.
2. The Community Arts & Crafts is for competitive exhibits that are open to the public, exhibitions, education, and demonstration purposes. Sale(s) of exhibited items is prohibited during the Fair.
3. The Highlands County Fair Community Arts & Crafts is open to all amateur and professional artists, hobbyists and crafters who reside within Highlands County (including winter residents with a local address). There are NO ENTRY FEES. All items will be judged on individual merit (with the exception of Best of Show winners). Explanation of ribbons and prizes can be found within the Explanation of Prizes section.
4. All items entered must be completed, clean, odor free, in good taste, and the handiwork of the exhibitor listed on the Entry Form. Any items that do not meet the requirements will not be accepted. If an item is accepted as an oversight, it may later be disqualified and/or not judged or displayed.
5. Each entry will be judged on its own merit. Judging is done by the most qualified judges available; all judges’ decisions are final. The name of the exhibitor is concealed during judging to ensure that each entry will be judged fairly on its own merit. The entry of only one item in a division does not necessarily guarantee the top award for that entry. Items will not be accepted for judging that have been previously exhibited in the Highlands County Fair.
6. Entries must have been completed within the 2025-2026 Calendar Year to be eligible for judging.
7. All exhibits are under the management of the Fair Association. The Fair Association will take every precaution to protect exhibits, however the Association, its Officers or Agents will not be responsible for accident, loss, or damage of any entry. The Fair Association reserves the right to display or not display any item.
NOT MORE THAN A TOTAL OF 10 EXIBITS IN ALL DIVISIONS.
Important Dates 2026:
Online Entries Close - Thur 1/22/26 Midnight
Exhibit Drop Off in Fair Office - Fri 1/23/26 Time: 3 pm-6 pm
Exhibit Drop Off in Fair Office - Sat 1/24/26 Time: 9 am-12 pm
Exhibit Drop Off in Fair Office - Sun 1/25/26 Time 10 am-2 pm
Exhibit Release- must present Claim Ticket- Sun 2/16/26 10am-2 pm
Age Categories for all Amateur Divisions:
Category I -Small Sprouts - 2 -6 years
Category II – Junior Youth 7-12 years
Category III Senior Youth 13-18 years
Category IV - Adult 19-64 years
Category V - Senior Adult 65 and older
Age Categories for all Professional Divisions:
Pro I- 18-35 years
Pro II-36-55 years
Pro III- 56 and older