Written By: Abby Franzmathes
For many South Carolinians, the heart of what makes life special starts right at home. Maybe it’s a well-loved recipe card, its edges softened by time and stained with the happy spills of a hundred family gatherings. Perhaps it’s a patchwork quilt, carefully sewn bit by bit over countless evenings. It could be a backyard garden, bursting with blooms each spring, or a faded photograph capturing a memory that still makes you smile. For more than 150 years, the South Carolina State Fair has been the place where those stories come together.
Competitive Exhibits have been part of the South Carolina State Fair since the fair was founded. What began as a way to showcase South Carolina’s agriculture, heritage, and craftsmanship has grown into one of the Fair’s longest standing traditions.
Today, the program includes hundreds of categories, welcoming exhibitors of all ages and experience levels. More than a chance to earn a blue ribbon, Competitive Exhibits offer an opportunity to preserve traditions, celebrate creativity, and share the moments, memories, and passions that connect generations of South Carolinians. Every entry has a story worth telling.
Those stories often begin with something simple. Maybe it’s a family recipe that’s made an appearance at every holiday gathering, or a painting someone finally found the courage to finish. It might be a garden tended through long, humid South Carolina summers, or a handmade project built one late night after another. While a blue ribbon is certainly something to celebrate, it’s often not the reason people enter. Many exhibitors come back year after year to improve their skills, carry on family traditions, reconnect with friends they’ve made through the Fair, or simply experience the joy of seeing something they created displayed for thousands of Fairgoers to enjoy. At the heart of it all, Competitive Exhibits exist to showcase the talents, passions, and creativity that make South Carolina such a special place to call home.
If you’ve ever wandered through the fairgrounds and caught yourself thinking, “I could do that,” this might be the year to find out. You don’t have to be an expert to enter. Whether you’re a baker, gardener, artist, photographer, crafter, student, or someone who’s simply proud of what you’ve created, there’s a place for you at the South Carolina State Fair. Even better, registration is free for Art, Home & Craft, and Agriculture entries, making it easy for first time exhibitors to join in the fun. This year’s Rooted in Fun fair theme has inspired several new contests, from heritage bread recipes and patriotic seed art, to creative new competitions that celebrate family traditions, creativity, ingenuity, and the stories behind them. It’s a reminder that some of the best traditions begin with simply giving something new a try.
Registration for the 2026 Competitive Exhibits program is open through Sept.1. Registering simply lets us know you plan to participate, while entry and judging take place later according to each department’s schedule.
This October, don’t just admire the blue ribbons. Share the recipe that reminds you of home. Enter the project you’ve been proud to finish. Celebrate the hobby that brings you joy or the tradition that’s been part of your family for years. One day, those same traditions may be passed down to someone else, just as they were passed down to you. For more than 150 years, Competitive Exhibits have helped tell the story of South Carolina, one entry at a time. This year, we’d love for your story to be part of it.
Join us at the South Carolina State Fair, Oct. 15-25, to celebrate the stories, traditions, and talents of our state! Whether you showcase your own talents as an exhibitor or come to explore the incredible displays, competitive exhibits, and world-class shows, there is something new for everyone. Come see why the South Carolina State Fair is truly Rooted in Fun!
