Special Baking Contest

Enter for your chance to win The Homemade Chocolate Cake Contest, the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest, The PA Preferred Junior Baking Contest, or the Angel Food Cake Contest. Click the Rules to the right to download.

Youth Fair Poster Contest

Theme: Growing A Nation

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will once again conduct a
statewide poster contest at the agricultural fairs.

Each fair in the State may submit a winning poster in each of the three age groups for the competition at the 2027 Farm Show in January.

Only one poster may be submitted per exhibitor per age group as follows: 8-11, 12-14, 15-18 as of June 1, 2026.

Poster size must be either 14 X 22 inches or 14.5 X 22 inches. Any other size will be disqualified.

Contestants will be asked to submit artwork that showcases Pennsylvania agriculture and its role in powering the state’s economy.

First-place winning poster in each age group will be sent to Harrisburg for consideration for State awards of $100, first: $75, second, and $50 third, regardless of age.

All posters sent to Harrisburg will become property of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for possible promotional use and may be returned by special request and arrangements for pickup.

1. Only one poster may be submitted per exhibitor, per age group. There will be three state competitions: ages 8-11, 12-14, and 15-18. Exhibitors must be in one of these age groups as of June 1 of
the current fair season to qualify.

2. The poster size must be either 14 x 22 inches or 14 ½ x 22 inches. Other sizes will not be accepted for judging at the state level.

Poster Entries can be entered during normal fair entry times:

Sunday, August 30, 2026 2 pm- 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm – 8 pm

Scarecrow Contest

Tap into your creative side and participate in our PATRIOTIC Scarecrow Contest!
Scarecrow Drop off: Sunday, August 30th from 2 pm – 4:30 pm or 5:30 pm – 8 pm. Check in at the Bingo Pavilion Registration Table.
Rules:
1. Can be an individual, partner, group, club, or family project!
2. Scarecrow must be 4-6ft tall
3. Scarecrow must be free-standing
4. Scarecrow must be durable. Will be displayed outside for the duration of the fair
5. Scarecrow must be patriotic themed.  
Fairgoers will vote for their favorite scarecrow during the fair.
 
At the end of the fair, the scarecrow with the most votes wins! Prize money split in the case of a tie
 
Scarecrow pick up is: Sunday, September 6th from 11 am – 1 pm
Contest Sponsored by: Yecks Pumpkins and Hayrides
Prize: $50 CASH (Split in the case of a tie)

Popsicle Stick Contest

Tap into your creative side and participate in our first-ever Popsicle Stick Project!
 
Rules:
Theme: Fair
Build with supplies: Popsicle sticks and adhesive
Decorate with supplies: Markers or paint
Size: No larger than 8″ wide, 8″ high, and 9″ deep
 
Project turn-in:
Sunday, August 30th, 2-4:30 pm and 5:30-8 pm
 
Contest Sponsored by: Adam’s Petroleum Products
Prize: 1st: $25  2nd: $15  3rd: $10
 

Bucket of Junk Contest

Pick up your bucket: Monday, August 24th, 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Bucket turn-in: Sunday, August 30th 2-4:30 pm and 5:30-8 pm
All Ages!

You take your bucket of junk and transform it into a masterpiece! 
 
Rules:
1. Use every item in the bucket in its entirety
2. Do not use the bucket
3. Any type of adhesive can be used
4. No other object can be added to the bucket
5. Items can be cut, bent, twisted, frayed, etc…
6. Paint, pens, markers, pencils can be used to decorate the creation
7. A base can be added to mount the creation on. Cannot be larger than 12×18.
Creations will be judged on creativity, use of all materials, and execution.

Prize: 1st: $50   2nd: $30   3rd: $20
Sponsored by: Penn Energy

Design a Cake from Cupcakes Contest

Cupcake Cake Turn In: Sunday, August 30th 2-4:30 pm or 5:30-8 pm.  Check in at the Bingo Pavilion Registration Table.

All Ages!

Rules:

Turn 24 cupcakes into a single layer cake!

1.Must turn 24 regular size cupcakes into a cake

2.Cupcakes can be from scatch or a box mix

2.Decorations must be edible.

3.Cakes should be held in place by icing

4.Cupcakes are to be arranged into a single layer shape and decorated

5.Cakes should be on a display board or cake box and covered.  Cakes sit out all fair week.

Winners will be decided by peoples choice.  Fair goers can vote throughout the fair week.

Prize: $50 CASH

Contest Sponsor: Electric Garage Door Sales

Eating Contests

Tuesday, September 1st 6:30 pm

1st Responders & Community Officials Ice Cream Eating Contest!

On the outdoor Stage following opening ceremonies.  First one to finish their pie wins!

Prize: $100 Cash

Sponsored by: Mitsubishi Electric

 

Scavenger Hunts

Anyone can enter!

Find all 8 photo stations around the Fairgrounds and take your photo.  

Show the volunteers in the downstairs exhibit hall your photos and be entered into the drawing for a $25 Cash Prize!

1 Winner drawn at the close of the Fair on Thursday and 1 Winner drawn at the close of the Fair on Saturday

 

Contest Sponsored by: Lisa Caughey – State Farm

Guessing Contests

Located at the bottom of the ramp of the Grange building.  Free to guess!

1st Candy Guessing jar

September 1-3 (Tues.-Thurs.)

Anyone can make a guess of how many pieces of candy are in the jar.  The closest guess without going over is the winner.  Guesses must be turned in by 9:30 pm on Thursday, September 3rd.

Prize: $50 Cash

Sponsored by: Zimmaro Law

2nd Candy Guessing Jar

September 4&5 (Fri. & Sat.)

Anyone can enter.  All guesses must be turned in by 9:30 pm Saturday, September 5th.  The winner will be announced on the Stage at 10 pm. 

Prize: $50 Cash

Barnyard or Fair - Fairy Garden

First-Ever Barnyard or Fair Theme Fairy Garden! 
 
Let your imagination run wild as you build a magical miniature world on a round 8–10″ saucer. Choose a barnyard or fair theme, sprinkle in creativity, and bring your tiny scene to life!
✨ All ages are invited to participate — kids, teens, adults… everyone can join the fun.
📅 Contest Entry Drop-Off:
Sunday, August 30th
⏰ 2:00–4:30 PM and 5:30–8:00 PM
📍 Bingo Pavilion
Whether it’s tractors and barns or Ferris wheels and fair food, we can’t wait to see your enchanting creations. Bring the magic to the Big Knob Grange Fair! 🌟
Prizes: 1st: $25   2nd: $15   3rd: $10
Sponsored by: American Legion Post 512

Photo Contest

1st Facebook Photo Contest

September 1-3 (Tues.-Thurs.)

Take a photo at the 2026 Big Knob Grange Fair and put it in the comments of the designated post on our Facebook page.  Can be family, animals, games, rides, portrait, scenic, etc.. Facebook fans will “like” their favorite!  The photo with the most likes by 9 am Friday, September 4th will win!  Photos must be appropriate; anything that is not will be removed.  Only 1 entry per person.  Photos become the property of the Big Knob Grange Fair

Prize: $25 Cash

Sponsored by: Renee Dean – Howard Hanna 

2nd Photo Contest

September 4&5 (Fri. & Sat.)

Take a photo at the 2026 Big Knob Grange Fair and put it in the comments of the designated post on our Facebook page.  Can be family, animals, games, rides, portrait, scenic, etc. Facebook fans will “like” their favorite!  The photo with the most likes by 9 am Sunday, September 6th will win!  Photos must be appropriate; anything that is not will be removed.  Only 1 entry per person.  Photos become the property of the Big Knob Grange Fair

Prize: $25 Cash

Bag of Scraps

10 bags available, 1st come, first served!

Bag of Scrap Pickup: August 24th, 5:30 pm – 7 pm at Big Knob Grange

Project Turn-Ins: Sunday, August 30th, 2-4:30 pm and 5:30-8 pm

Rules:

  1. Pick up your Bag of Scraps
  2. Use all of the “Scraps” but not the bag to create a project!
  3. Scraps can be cut, frayed, tied, glued, pinned, or sewn. 
  4. Only optional extra materials that can be used are poly- fill/stuffing, wire, buttons, zipper.
  5. Can not add any other material to the project.
  6. Must use as much of the scraps as possible
  7. Along with the project, turn in the bag with any leftover scraps
  8. Project can sit, lay, or hang.
  9. Project judged on creativity, use of materials, and execution.

Prize: 1st: $50   2nd: $30   3rd: $20

Sponsored by: Patriot Home Care

Fair and Carnival Apron Contest

Entries: Sunday, August 30th 2 pm – 4:30 pm and 5:30 – 8:00 pm

The Best of Show ribbon will be eligible to enter the 2027 PA Farm Show!

  1. Fair and Carnival Theme
  2. Half Apron or Bib Apron
  3. Apron must have been made in 2026

Judged on Overall Appearance, Creativity, Workmanship/Suitability, Design/Color

Contest Info can also be found under Department 18.

Cowboy Games

Feed Sack Carrying, Bale Toss, and Tire Rolling

Age Groups: Under 15, 16-20, 21+

Tuesday, September 1st, 7 pm, at the Horse Arena 

Prize: 1st: $20   2nd: $10 (For Each Age Group)

Sponsored by: Inman Car Wash

Power Wheels Drag Race

Tuesday, September 1st, 7 pm, Track

Ages: 3-5 and 6-10

Prizes: 1st and 2nd place: $25 each age group

Sponsored by: Novak Auto Parts