2025 Special Contest: Decorate a Tree

Back by popular demand, the Aitkin County Fair is hosting a special contest for all open class exhibitors at the 2025 Aitkin County Fair:  Decorate a Tree Contest – Year Two.  Cash prizes are sponsored by Aitkin County Friends of the Arts.

Last year, the Aitkin County Fair offered the Decorate a Tree Special Contest.  The response included a wide variety of “trees” and creative themes and decorations.  To build on those interpretations and make the contest a bit more challenging, there are a few new RULES. 

Here are the TOP TEN RULES for this year’s contest:

1.     Include an artificial tree that is either deciduous or evergreen;

2.     Tree must be at least 3 feet in height but not more than 8 feet in height (NEW can be tabletop size);

3.     The tree must include lights that work (electrical outlet provided);

4.     The decorations must have a theme (for example music, pets, food, loons, etc…);

5.     At least 50% of the decorations must be handmade by the exhibitor(s);

6.     NEW:  The theme and decorations must be only one color (variations of a single color are acceptable, for example:  navy blue, bright blue, baby blue);

7.     The tree must be decorated in the Creative Activities Building between noon and 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9th, the first day of the fair;

8.     Trees will be judged on Friday morning of the Fair by a three-member panel of judges, a representative of the exhibit MUST be in attendance for the judging;

9.     Trees must be able to be moved from their assembly/display location to the judging stage on Friday morning by the exhibitor(s), and then returned after judging is complete (HINT:  this requires the decorations to be securely attached to the tree);

10.  Groups, organizations, clubs, and families are encouraged to enter.

Prizes for the Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, and Peoples’ Choice Awards are provided by Aitkin County Friends of the Arts.  The Grand Champion winner will receive $250, the Reserve Champion winner $150, and the Peoples’ Choice Award winner will receive $50. 

The 135th Aitkin County Fair will be held Wednesday, July 9 through Saturday, July 12, 2025.  Entry and online registration will be available in May, or in person registration will be available on Tuesday, July 8.  YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS CONTEST NO LATER THAN 4:00 p.m. on JULY 8th.  For questions about this contest, please contact Christine Bright at 218-513-9339 or brightchristinemm@gmail.com.

Judging will be on Friday July 11at 10:00am in the Creative Activities Building