Creative Activities

Creative Activities Competition

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Pies and jams and quilts, oh my! From jams and jellies to woodworking and weaving, the creative activities competition has an abundance of divisions to enter. This classic Minnesota State Fair competition presents an annual exhibition of the best Minnesota-made creations. Each class is organized into one of the following divisions: baked products, canned & preserved foods, collections, garment making, handcrafts, needlecraftand work of senior citizens.

Descriptions of each competition and entry rules are in the 2025 Creative Activities premium book which will be available in May.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Registration opens on Monday, May 5. Please read the premium book rules before beginning online registration, as you are responsible for knowing the important rules and conditions it contains regarding your entries. Read how to enter exhibits before you begin. You must be a Minnesota resident to enter.

Important Dates

• Registration opens: Monday, May 5
• Registration closes: Tuesday, July 29, at 4:30 p.m.

Registration is required for entries in ALL categories and must be completed online or received (not mailed) by July 29, at 4:30 p.m.

ENTRIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IF NOT REGISTERED PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE.

EXHIBIT DELIVERY & RETURN

See the map of where to deliver exhibits. No entries in the baked products division are accepted for early drop-off.

• Delivery:
  • Baked Goods:
    • Saturday, Aug. 16, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Needlecraft, Garment Making, Work of Senior Citizens, Handcrafts, Collections:
    • Saturday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Sunday, Aug. 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Monday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Special Contests:
    • See individual contest rules for delivery dates. Admission to the fair is the responsibility of the exhibitor if dates fall during the run of the Minnesota State Fair (Aug. 21 through Sept. 1).
• Return:
  • Wednesday, Sept. 3, 1-7 p.m. (no items returned before 1 p.m.)
  • Thursday, Sept. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • No baked products will be returned, all containers and dishes presented at delivery are disposed of after judging concludes.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Creative Activities Premium Book (PDF)
• Creative Activities FAQs (link)
• How to Enter Exhibits (PDF)
• Creative Activities Registration Video Tutorial (link)
• Delivery and Return Procedures (PDF)
• Map of Where to Deliver Exhibits (PDF)
• Minnesota State Fair Agricultural Society Rules (PDF)

RESULTS

2025 results will be posted as they become available.

• 2024 Baked Products results (PDF)
• 2024 Canned & Preserved Foods results (PDF)
• 2024 Collections results (PDF)
• 2024 Garment Making results (PDF)
• 2024 Handcrafts results (PDF)
• 2024 Needlecraft results (PDF)
• 2024 Work of Senior Citizens results (PDF)
• Previous years’ results are available in the digital archive.

QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

For further information, please contact competition@mnstatefair.org or 651-288-4417.