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PRIZES
One blue (1st place) ribbon will be awarded in each of the following categories:
Best Dairy Mac and Cheese
Best Vegan Mac and Cheese
RULES
Individuals must be present in person at the DC State Fair to participate.
Other than the pasta, entries must be made from scratch (no premade/packaged mixes).
Individuals may not submit more than one entry.
Entry must include at least three cups’ worth of food.
Entry must be brought in a slow cooker (preferred), covered casserole dish, or other container to keep it relatively warm throughout judging. Fair organizers will provide power so any appliances stay plugged in during judging.
Entry cannot include meat.
Entry cannot contain any of the following: uncooked dairy products, raw eggs, or other products that are high risk for spoilage or might cause sickness.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Taste (40%)
Mac and cheese is rich and creamy.
Appearance (30%)
Mac and cheese has an appetizing, non artificial color.
Texture (30%)
Mac and cheese is smooth and consistent, and may include an element of crunchy texture as contrast.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Register for the mac and cheese contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2026-contests by 11:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21. No walk-up registrations will be accepted.
Bring your entry in an appliance that can keep it warm to Anthem Row at 700 K Street NW on Sunday, September 6 (fair day). An exact location and time window for dropoff will be specified closer to the date. Alongside your entry, bring a removable label that includes a list of ingredients used in making your entry, your name, the contest category, and the name of the entry (see template).
PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS
You (or someone on your behalf) must pick up the appliance you brought your entry in between 4:00 and 5:00 pm on the same day as judging/fair day (Sunday, September 6) from Anthem Row.
PRIZES
One blue (1st place) ribbon will be awarded in each of the following categories:
Best Dairy Mac and Cheese
Best Vegan Mac and Cheese
RULES
Individuals must be present in person at the DC State Fair to participate.
Other than the pasta, entries must be made from scratch (no premade/packaged mixes).
Individuals may not submit more than one entry.
Entry must include at least three cups’ worth of food.
Entry must be brought in a slow cooker (preferred), covered casserole dish, or other container to keep it relatively warm throughout judging. Fair organizers will provide power so any appliances stay plugged in during judging.
Entry cannot include meat.
Entry cannot contain any of the following: uncooked dairy products, raw eggs, or other products that are high risk for spoilage or might cause sickness.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Taste (40%)
Mac and cheese is rich and creamy.
Appearance (30%)
Mac and cheese has an appetizing, non artificial color.
Texture (30%)
Mac and cheese is smooth and consistent, and may include an element of crunchy texture as contrast.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Register for the mac and cheese contest at https://www.dcstatefair.org/2026-contests by 11:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21. No walk-up registrations will be accepted.
Bring your entry in an appliance that can keep it warm to Anthem Row at 700 K Street NW on Sunday, September 6 (fair day). An exact location and time window for dropoff will be specified closer to the date. Alongside your entry, bring a removable label that includes a list of ingredients used in making your entry, your name, the contest category, and the name of the entry (see template).
PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS
You (or someone on your behalf) must pick up the appliance you brought your entry in between 4:00 and 5:00 pm on the same day as judging/fair day (Sunday, September 6) from Anthem Row.