QUEENS CO., N.Y. — The Queens County Farm Museum is calling on all artists, crafters, gardeners, bakers, jam makers, and livestock enthusiasts to register for the annual Blue Ribbon Competition at the 37th Annual Queens County Fair. Registration opens Friday, July 26th. The Queens County Fair will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 & 22, 2019.
There are 10 divisions in the Blue Ribbon Competition: Vegetables, Arts & Crafts, Livestock, Poultry, Aviculture, Apiculture, Culinary Arts, Floral Arranging, Junior Arts/Crafts and Junior Culinary with over 60 categories combined including some fan favorites like quilting, afghans, basketry, stained glass, pottery, photography, jellies, pickles, frosted cakes, pies, roots-tuber-bulbs, tomatoes, podded vegetables, dahlias and roses. A complete list of all 60+ categories is described on the Blue Ribbon Competition registration form along with a detailed description of competition rules.
The farm received over 2,500 entries in 2018 and is eager to showcase regional talent again this year. Queens has a rich agricultural history dating back to the early settlers. One of the earliest agriculture fairs was held in Queens in 1693 which even predates the history of the Queens County Farm Museum.
“Who doesn’t love a Blue Ribbon Competition?” noted Jennifer Walden Weprin, Executive Director of the Queens County Farm Museum. “I always think ‘pie’ when I think about this competition, but there is so much more from the obscure to the obvious and everything in between. It’s a real celebration of art and culture.”
There are no entry fees to participate in the Blue Ribbon Competition. Prizes will be awarded for first place, second, third, honorable mention and Best in Show in each category. In addition, there will be sponsored cash awards for sponsor’s choice. Each person may enter one item per category except the Livestock category in which multiple entries are permitted. The Junior Division is open to kids 16 years of age and younger. Junior Arts/Crafts features categories in Painting & Drawing, Photography, Sculpture and Needlework with subcategories in different mediums. Junior Culinary Arts includes categories for Jelly/Jam, Cookies, Brownies, Cake Frosted and Cake Unfrosted. All Blue Ribbon entries will be on display for the two days of the fair.
Entries are judged by experts in each discipline. Best in Show and Sponsored Award winners are notified by 11:30 am on Saturday, September 21st. First place, second, third and honorable mention winners are posted that morning as well. Best in Show and Sponsored Awards are presented during the awards ceremony at 3:00 pm on both days of the fair.
The Queens County Farm Museum is located at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park, New York 11004. Registration for the Blue Ribbon competition begins Friday, July 26th and continues through Friday, September 20th, 2019. Blue Ribbon entry forms can be found online at queensfarm.org or on-site in the Farm Store which is open 10:00 am–5:00 pm daily. Daily admission to the Queens County Farm is free, making it convenient to stop by and pick up a registration form. There is ample neighborhood parking and bicycle racks are available on-site. The grounds at the Queens County Farm Museum are accessible as well.
About the Queens County Farm Museum:
The Queens County Farm Museum is the longest continually farmed site in New York State dating back to 1697. The current site consists of a 47-acre tract of farmland that showcases the 300-year history of agriculture as a way of life in New York City. The Queens County Farm Museum is a New York City Landmark, on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of the Historic House Trust of New York City. Queens Farm hosts a wide variety of acclaimed education programs and special events like the Queens County Fair. It welcomes over 400,000 visitors a year and serves as a vital resource connecting people to agriculture and the environment.
