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Aug. 21 – Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2025

294 Days 18 Hours 7 Mins

Creative Activities Sponsors

Thank you to our 2023 creative activities competition sponsors!

We are excited to have these great organizations partner with us to recognize our exhibitors through special awards and contests.

Knit & Bolt

Knit & Bolt will be awarding a $25 gift certificate to the following:

  • Best embroidered item (class 162)
  • Best mixed technique wall quilt (class 201)
  • Best nerdy knit item; judge’s choice (classes 240-270, 290-338 – combined)

Kowalski’s Markets

Join Kowalski’s Markets by bringing sunshine to the table with your best and brightest, citrus-flavored cakes. Feature lemon, lime, orange or other tangy citrus ingredients in your cake, solo or with any complimentary flavors. Wow the judges and our taste buds. Entries can be any size or shape: layer, sheet, tube, cupcake or bite-sized.

  • Kowalski’s Markets “Citrus Cake Contest” (class 1089)
  • Prizes for each contest:
    • 1st: $100 gift card
    • 2nd: $50 gift card
    • 3rd: $25 gift card
  • Bonus prizes for the class winners cake classes provided by Kowalski’s Markets

Minnesota Basket Weavers at Textile Center

The Minnesota Basket Weavers at Textile Center will be providing a rosette and $25 cash prize (included in the fair check) to the following:

  • First place winners in basketry classes (classes 558-562)
  • First place winner of basketry – any type (class 923)

Splenda

Chocolate Lovers! The new Splenda® Magic Baker Chocolate Dessert Contest is here! Make your favorite chocolate sweet treats with little to no added sugar and compete for $350 in cash prizes. Think pies, pastries, puddings, custards, cakes, cookies, or ice cream. Anything with chocolate goes!

  • Splenda Magic Baker “Chocolate Dessert Contest” (class 1091)
  • Prizes:
    • 1st place: $200
    • 2nd place: $100
    • 3rd place: $50

UnitedHealthcare

Don’t miss the new “UnitedHealthcare Healthy Cookie Contest” at the 2023 Minnesota State Fair. Make energy bars, on-the-go sweet treats or any cookie that has a health-minded twist or theme. Use “good-for-you” ingredients that help you power through the day, have nutritional value, or are a fit for special diets. Think protein powders, nuts, nut butters, fruits, and seeds. You can even simply “healthify” your favorite cookie to have less sugar, fat or calories. Your entry can be baked or no-bake style.

  • UnitedHealthcare “Healthy Cookie Contest” (class 1090)
  • Prizes:
    • 1st place: $200
    • 2nd place: $100
    • 3rd place: $50
    • Honorable mention: $25 (gift card)
  • Bonus prizes for the class winners in cookie and bar classes provided by Blue Ribbon Group.

Weavers Guild of Minnesota

Thanks to Weavers Guild of Minnesota, special prizes of $25 will be awarded in the following classes. In addition, WGM will award $80 to the item that best represents the mission of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, in honor of WGM’s 80th anniversary in 2020.

  • The best use of color in a woven or rya rug (classes 214-215, 222-226, 234 – combined)
  • The best “first” woven or rya rug (classes 214-215, 222-226, 234 – combined). Exhibitor must indicate “first time State Fair entrant” on their entry form.
  • The best use of texture in “woven” wearable items. Prize money included in fair check.
  • The best use of color in “woven” wearable items.
  • The best use of texture in “woven” non-wearable items.
  • The best use of color in “woven” non-wearable items.
  • The best overall woven item.
  • The best “first” woven item, to a first-time Minnesota State Fair exhibitor. Note: Must indicate it’s your first year.
  • The best fine-weight handspun yarn.
  • The best medium-weight handspun yarn.
  • The best bulky-weight handspun yarn.

Weavers Guild of Minnesota