PRIZES
Blue (1st place), red (2nd place), and white (3rd place) ribbons will be awarded in the following category:
Best District Poem
One blue (1st place) ribbon will be awarded in the following category:
Best District Artwork
RULES
Individuals may not submit more than one entry for each of the categories listed above.
Entries must be original works of art, and completed within the past two years, and not previously exhibited at the DC State Fair. Entries for artwork cannot use published patterns or be copies/prints of the individual’s original work.
Entries for artwork are limited to a maximum size of 36 inches in any direction.
Entries for artwork can be a painting, drawing, or made from mixed media.
Entries for artwork should not contain parts that expose the public, judges, or volunteers to injury (i.e., sharp edges or points).
The DC State Fair is not responsible for any damage to entries.
JUDGING CRITERIA
For District Poem:
Creativity/Originality (40%)
Poem is notable in its meaning and uniqueness.
Coherence of Form and Structure (30%)
Poem conveys a pleasing harmony of words.
Clarity of Imagery and Language (30%)
Poem conveys its meaning in a vivid way.
For District Artwork:
Design (40%)
Artwork has appealing and interesting shape, form, color, proportion, and/or texture.
Concept and Creativity (30%)
Artwork exhibits meaning and originality.
Skill and Handling of Medium (30%)
Artwork conveys mastery of the medium.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
For District Poem:
Register for the poem contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2026-contests by 11:00 pm on Friday, August 21.
Submit a document (Word or PDF) of your entry at https://forms.gle/bbgbcMKs86zakwzQ7 by 11:00 pm on Friday, August 21. For the file name of the poem, please use the following naming convention: Contest Name_Entry Name_Last Name. For example, Poem_District of Champions_Anderson. Do not include your name in the text of the document.
Note that uploading documents to that form requires a Google account sign in. If you are unable to access or submit the form, please send your submission to contests@dcstatefair.org, with the subject line “Poem Contest Submission.” In the email, include your name, the email you used to register for the contest, and the name of the entry.
For District Artwork:
Register for the artwork contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2026-contests by 11:00 pm on Friday, August 21.
Bring your entry, accompanied with a removable label that includes your name, the contest category, and the name of the entry (see template), to the 4th Floor Conference Center at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G St NW on Saturday, August 29 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS
To pick up your artwork entry, you (or someone on your behalf) must pick it up between 4:00 and 5:00 pm on the same day as judging (Saturday, August 29) from Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
PRIZES
Blue (1st place), red (2nd place), and white (3rd place) ribbons will be awarded in the following category:
Best District Poem
One blue (1st place) ribbon will be awarded in the following category:
Best District Artwork
RULES
Individuals may not submit more than one entry for each of the categories listed above.
Entries must be original works of art, and completed within the past two years, and not previously exhibited at the DC State Fair. Entries for artwork cannot use published patterns or be copies/prints of the individual’s original work.
Entries for artwork are limited to a maximum size of 36 inches in any direction.
Entries for artwork can be a painting, drawing, or made from mixed media.
Entries for artwork should not contain parts that expose the public, judges, or volunteers to injury (i.e., sharp edges or points).
The DC State Fair is not responsible for any damage to entries.
JUDGING CRITERIA
For District Poem:
Creativity/Originality (40%)
Poem is notable in its meaning and uniqueness.
Coherence of Form and Structure (30%)
Poem conveys a pleasing harmony of words.
Clarity of Imagery and Language (30%)
Poem conveys its meaning in a vivid way.
For District Artwork:
Design (40%)
Artwork has appealing and interesting shape, form, color, proportion, and/or texture.
Concept and Creativity (30%)
Artwork exhibits meaning and originality.
Skill and Handling of Medium (30%)
Artwork conveys mastery of the medium.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
For District Poem:
Register for the poem contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2026-contests by 11:00 pm on Friday, August 21.
Submit a document (Word or PDF) of your entry at https://forms.gle/bbgbcMKs86zakwzQ7 by 11:00 pm on Friday, August 21. For the file name of the poem, please use the following naming convention: Contest Name_Entry Name_Last Name. For example, Poem_District of Champions_Anderson. Do not include your name in the text of the document.
Note that uploading documents to that form requires a Google account sign in. If you are unable to access or submit the form, please send your submission to contests@dcstatefair.org, with the subject line “Poem Contest Submission.” In the email, include your name, the email you used to register for the contest, and the name of the entry.
For District Artwork:
Register for the artwork contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2026-contests by 11:00 pm on Friday, August 21.
Bring your entry, accompanied with a removable label that includes your name, the contest category, and the name of the entry (see template), to the 4th Floor Conference Center at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G St NW on Saturday, August 29 between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS
To pick up your artwork entry, you (or someone on your behalf) must pick it up between 4:00 and 5:00 pm on the same day as judging (Saturday, August 29) from Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
