Illinois State Fair Competition Deadlines Approaching

SPRINGFIELD -- Entry deadlines for the many competitions to be held at the 2015 Illinois State Fair (ISF) are quickly approaching. The Illinois State Fair will be held August 13-23.

Every year the fair hosts more than 8,700 contests, ranging from livestock and horticulture competitions to judged art shows and culinary showdowns.

New competitive events are added annually. Information about all the offerings for the 2015 Illinios State Fair can be found in the ISF premium books, which are available online as well as in print. These boks contain not only descriptions of each event, but also specify their rules and regulations. They can be found online at www.illinoisstatefair.info under the "Competitions" tab. Print copies are available by phoning the Competitive Events office at 217-782-0786.

Entry deadlines for various competitions are listed. If the deadline falls on a weekend, all entries postmarked by the following Monday will be accepted.

July 1 -- Livestock (except Poultry and Rabbits)

July 10 -- Rabbits and Poultry

July 15 -- General Entries (except Floriculture, Blue Ribbon, Dairy Products, Bee Culture)

August 1 -- Floriculture (except Horticulture-Roses)

August 12, 9 a.m. -- Horticulture (Roses)

August 12, noon -- Dairy Products

August 13 -- Bee Culture-Professional

Bee Culture-Open -- Until judging begins