NEW-MEXICO

You can still participate in New Mexico State Fair competitions. Here's how.

From Staff Reports
Las Cruces Sun-News

ALBUQUERQUE - Though the 2020 New Mexico State Fair has been canceled this year, organizers still have plans to host friendly online competitions and offer support for New Mexico 4-H and FFA members, as well as vendors and entertainers.

"The Fair has always been a celebration of innovation," stated General Manager Dan Mourning in a news release. "We've had to pivot due to the challenges presented by the pandemic, and our fair staff has come up with some fun and creative ways to bring a bit of the fair into New Mexico homes. This year, home truly is where the fair is."

This 2020 New Mexico Virtual State Fair will run Sept. 14-20.

The New Mexico Virtual State Fair will host an online competition for best floral arrangement. It's one of several online competitions this year.

4-H and FFA youth can compete in a virtual show and a premium sale. Video entries in six classes are being accepted though Aug. 31. The classes eligible for competition are:

  • Breeding Heifer
  • Replacement Dairy Heifer
  • Cattle
  • Goat
  • Swine

New to this year’s 4-H and FFA competitions are a public speaking competition and an ag science fair.​ Information regarding video submissions, fees, and regulations can be found at https://statefair.exponm.com/p/2020-virtual-fair/livestock-shows.

This year's virtual fair also offer fun categories for anyone to enter, including:

  • ​Cake Decorating
  • Cookie Decorating
  • Tablescapes
  • Floral Arrangements – Fresh
  • Floral Arrangement – Dried
  • Photography – “Back to Nature”
  • Photography – “Pet Costume Contest: Pets Dressed as Livestock or Farm Animals”
  • Sidewalk Chalk Art
  • 2021 New Mexico State Fair Poster Design

The competitions are free to enter and are open to New Mexico residents in a range of ages, professional status, and abilities.

Contest prizes include season passes and admission to 2021 New Mexico State Fair, swag bags, and gift certificates at local restaurants. 

More:Las Cruces restaurant owner adapts during COVID-19 closure

New this year is a poster design contest. This year’s winning entry will be selected as the official 2021 New Mexico State Fair poster and sold at the 2021 event.

Information regarding rules, guidelines, and instructions for each contest can be found at https://statefair.exponm.com/p/2020-virtual-fair/competitions1

“We look forward to seeing the creativity of New Mexicans at the Fair every year and we’ve come up with competitions folks can easily take part in and have some fun with,” Mourning said. “The fair was cancelled, but the fun is not.”

Performances by popular New Mexico musicians and fair entertainers will be featured on the fair’s social media platforms. Activities including digital and word find puzzles will be featured on the fair website, and shoppers can find their favorite fair retail on the fair’s “Shopping” page.

For information, visit exponm.com.