home arts & hobbies

Collections & Hobbies

• Collections
• Tablescapes
• Miniatures, Models and LEGO

Competition Timeline

Eligibility

• Adult Divisions are open to all adults aged 18 years old by the Entry Deadline listed above.
• Entries must be original work of the exhibitor and completed in the last two (2) years.
• Work by two (2) or more artists is not eligible.
• Work, or nearly identical work, previously shown at the Fair, regardless of title, is not eligible.
• Work created by generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), either partially or completely, is not eligible.

CONTACT US

Elena Liu, Coordinator

2025 LOCAL RULES

1. Completion of online entry registration shall be deemed acceptance of all rules. Acceptance includes permission to use your name, photograph, and exhibit for the news media.
2. Online registration is required in all departments and for one-day contests. Online entries are accepted until 8:00pm (Pacific Time) on the deadline day for online entry registration, unless otherwise stated.
3. Once registered, the description, title, and price may not be changed. Substitutions will not be allowed. Fair Management is not responsible for errors on entry forms which may lead to elimination or disqualification of an entry.
4. Processing fees must be paid online at the time of registration. Processing fees are non-refundable.
5. Exhibitors must be living at the time the entry form and/or online entry is submitted.
6. All non-livestock entries must be the creative work of the exhibitor (whose name appears on the entry registration), be in good taste, and suitable for family viewing. Fair Management reserves the right to disqualify any entry/exhibit it deems objectionable or not in accordance with competition standards.
7. If an entry is disqualified after judging is complete, no changes will be made to the status of awards given for other entries.
8. Exhibitors are responsible for obtaining necessary permission from models and/or to use material in their entry that is considered copyrighted.
9. No entry will be accepted should the exhibitor describe the conditions under which he/she will exhibit, or the exhibit will be displayed.
10. Judges are qualified in the medium(s) they are judging. New judges may be chosen each year, and judges may be assigned to different divisions/classes from year to year.
11. If a coordinator or judge deems an entry to be in the incorrect category, division, class, etc., he or she may direct the Entry Office to move that entry as appropriate. The Entry Office may combine divisions or classes to create an adequate judging pool.
12. Fair Management reserves the right to limit entries, and display thereof, to facilities available and to cancel any division or class in which, in its judgment, the entries are insufficient to secure adequate competition.
13. Entries must be delivered on the date(s) and times specified. Entries will not be accepted before or after the stated entry delivery date. All accepted exhibits must remain on display and shall not be removed until the stated entry pick up date. Any exhibit not picked up on the specified date becomes the property of the San Diego County Fair and will be disposed of promptly.
14. All exhibits are entered and shown at the owner’s risk. Reasonable care will be taken to prevent loss or damage to exhibits, but in no event will the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) be responsible for any injury or loss which may occur or for the actions of third parties. Insurance, if desired, should be obtained by the exhibitor at his/her own expense.
15. Any person who violates any Local, State, or Department rule or displays unethical conduct will forfeit all privileges and premiums and be subject to such penalty as the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) may order.
16. To ensure reliable award notification, exhibitors are responsible for submitting all address, phone number and email address updates promptly in writing to entry@sdfair.com or Entry Department, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014.
17. Premium money will be paid per the recorded placings in the official judging books rather than the ribbon attached to the exhibit.
18. Donated Award recipients will be selected per the instructions given on the Donated Award Confirmation Form submitted by the donor.
19. Premium, donated cash award, and auction checks will be made payable to the exhibitor as listed on the online entry registration. Checks will be mailed within 30 days after the close of the Fair to the address shown on the online entry registration, or as updated by the exhibitor via written notification to the Entry Office. Auction checks may be held longer if the buyer has not paid. Checks not cashed within 6 months from the date of issue will be forfeited. Replacement checks may be subject to a $35 stop payment fee.
20. The 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) is required by the Internal Revenue Service to report any premiums paid totaling the amount of $600 or more. Exhibitors may be required to submit a W-9 form.
21. The 22nd District Agricultural Association management reserves the right to amend or add to these rules; the 22nd District Agricultural Association (San Diego County Fair) assumes no liability or responsibility not herein expressed.

California State Rules apply and are available here.

Entry Limit

Two (2) entries per exhibitor per class. Exhibitors may enter as many classes as desired.

Entry Fees

• Adult divisions: $10 per entry
• Youth divisions: $5 per entry

Entry fees are payable online with a credit card and are not refundable.

Fair Tickets

Each exhibitor will receive two (2) Exhibitor Access Passes.

How to Enter

1. After reading all entry materials, click the “Enter Now” link below to go to the ShoWorks Entry Homepage.
2. Register as an Exhibitor.
3. Select the appropriate division and class and input the required information. (See “Divisions and Classes” below for a list of all divisions and classes.)
   • In the Subject Matter field, include an image description. For example, “Baby with dog” or “Purple house.” The character limit is 100 and includes spaces.
   • In the Materials/Methods field, include only the medium(s) and method(s) used. For example, “Acrylic paint and fabric on Masonite substrate,” or “Assembled, embossed porcelain clay with high-fired glaze finish.” Character limit is 100 and includes spaces.
4. Review your entry before completing registration to ensure that you have entered the correct division and class for each entry.
5. Click the check-out button and pay for all entries.
6. Read the confirmation statement and type YES. Do not click multiple times, as it will charge you each time.
7. You will be prompted to upload your image(s) AFTER you pay. Digital image(s) of entries must be submitted before the entry deadline. Ensure uploaded images match the entry division, class and title for each entry. (See Photographing Your Entry for Upload.)

If you plan to make changes to your entries or need to leave ShoWorks at any time, SAVE YOUR CART before exiting out.

For additional help with entering and uploading images, review this detailed step-by-step guide: Entry Tutorial

Still have questions?
Please call or email the Entry Office.
Phone: (858) 792-4207, Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm

How to Prepare Your Entry for Delivery

Please see individual categories, divisions, and classes for specific entry requirements.

• Fabrics must be clean, reasonably odor-free, and free of pet hair and dander.
• Framed work must be able to stand on its own or be ready to hang with wire.
• Pillows and pillowcases must be finished and have forms inside.
• Wall Hangings, wreaths, and macramé must include a secure means for hanging. Exhibitors may provide a stand that will be returned at entry pick-up.
• Delivery bags, boxes and containers may be used for delivery but will not be saved in the exhibit. Exhibitors should take them away after delivery.

Judging

The Home Arts & Hobbies competition uses the American system of judging for Adult Divisions.

Judging Results

Results will be announced at the Home Arts & Hobbies Open House and posted on the San Diego County Fair’s website by the second week of the fair.

Entry Delivery & Pickup

Entries must be delivered to the Fairgrounds. Please refer to the Exhibition Timeline for in-person delivery dates. Exhibitors will be emailed delivery and pick up instructions including a map showing access to the Fairgrounds.

Home Arts & Hobbies will provide entry tags at entry delivery. Please allow time to attach entry tags to projects with materials and assistance provided by fair staff. Exhibitors will be responsible for attaching tag.

A claim check will be issued to each exhibitor upon entry delivery and must be presented at the time of entry pick up. If an exhibitor is unable to pick up their artwork, they may arrange for another person to bring in their claim check with a signed written authorization from the exhibitor.

Quick Group Delivery Appointments - If you registered as a Quick Group (clubs, guilds, organizations) and plan to deliver all entries in the group together, please CLICK HERE to request an appointment time on one of the in-person delivery dates.

Awards

Award checks will be available at entry pick up. Checks not picked up will be mailed within 30 days.

Adult Divisions

Special Awards

ADULT COLLECTIONS AND OTHER HOBBIES

See Glossary for all definitions

Division 123: Collections

• Collections to be installed by exhibitors on the delivery date(s) and within the time period listed in the Exhibit Timeline.
• Collections must be curated by the exhibitor and fit into allotted display space.
• Items must be secured by the exhibitor. Museum tack will be provided by Fair staff.
• No tape or glue may be applied to display cases.
• Items may be delivered attached to a flat base, if required.
• The display must include a write-up describing how the exhibitor acquired the collection. Additional information or narratives may be displayed.
• Collections may only be entered once.

The exhibit coordinator will make the final display assignments.

Judging Criteria: Originality, uniqueness, rarity, write up, and presentation.

Class 001 Oldies but Goodies

Class 002 Postage Paid

Class 003 In the Wild

Class 004 Famous Faces

Class 005 Around the World

Class 006 En Vogue

Class 007 Mi Casa es Su Casa

Class 008 Toys and Games

Class 009 You’re So Extra

Class 010 Fair Theme "Summer Pet-tacular"

Division 124: Tablescapes

The exhibitor whose name appears on the entry must set up their display on the delivery date(s) and within the time period listed in the Exhibit Timeline.

One (1) 34” x 34” table with a black linen tablecloth table will be provided.

Class 001 Ready for Royalty

Class 002 All Day, Everyday

Class 003 Let's Celebrate

Class 004 International Flair

Class 005 Fair Theme "Summer Pet-tacular"

Division 125: Miniatures, Models, and LEGO

Exhibitors must provide protective acrylic for miniatures, models, and LEGO builds that are dimensionally larger than 16”H, 18”W or 18”D.

Judging Criteria: Visual interest, originality, workmanship, skill level and attention to detail.

Class 001 Miniature Structure and Furnishings

Class 002 Room Boxes, Shadow Boxes, Vignettes, etc.

Class 003 Single Models - Planes, cars, etc. Still or remote-controlled. Kits may be used.

Class 004 3D Printed Models

Class 005 LEGO and Brick-building – Original creations (parts from sets may be repurposed)

Class 006 Fair Theme "Summer Pet-tacular