The Great Allentown Fair’s Premium List booklet detailing the procedures and categories for entering the Fair’s blue-ribbon competitions are now available at the Allentown Fairgrounds main office. PDF versions are available to download at: allentownfairpa.org.

Placement ribbons and cash prizes are awarded in each of the exhibitor categories judged prior to and during the Fair, Aug. 28 - Sept. 3. There are contests for youth entrants in addition to the all-age categories.

Two separate guideline booklets are available, one for Agri-Plex entries and one for livestock entries.

The deadline for registering livestock is July 9.

The deadline for Agri-Plex entries is 6 p.m. Aug. 4. Ways to register are listed in the booklets.

In addition to farmers and gardeners, amateur crafters, collectors, cooks, photographers and others with creative talents have the opportunity to enter items for judging and display inside Agri-Plex, the Fair’s main exhibit hall.

There are 145 types of vegetables juried, plus 15 different varieties of potatoes giving “spuds” its own department.

The Fair typically exhibits more than 1,200 farm animals and more than 9,000 products from farms, gardens and homes, including arts and crafts.

There are 12 Culinary Contests that offer cooks and bakers incentives for utilizing favorite recipes or creating new dishes that are judged during the Fair with an audience watching. These sponsored contests are included in the Agri-Plex Premium List but require the completion of separate applications providing important details.

The Premium Lists and applications for the special contests may be picked up at the Fair office behind the Ritz Barbecue on the Allentown Fairgrounds at 17th and Chew streets from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays- Fridays or on the web at allentownfairpa.org and clicking on “Contests” to download the list and applications. For more information: 610-433-7541.

The Allentown Fair Special Culinary Contests sponsored by PenTeleData include:

Vynecrest Vineyard & Winery Homemade Chocolate Cake Contest

Ritz Barbecue Ultimate Fruit Pie Challenge

Wicked Sweet Bakeshop Thumbprint Cookie Challenge

Suburban Car Wash Ultimate Cheesecake Challenge

The Great American Spam Championship Hawaii and Island-inspired recipes

PA Preferred Junior Baking Cookies, Brownies and Bars Contest, sponsored by Newburg Deli & Catering

Clover Hill Vineyards and Winery’s Homemade Candy Contest

Pampered Chef Marvelous Muffin Contest

Bechdolts Orchard Fresh Peach Dessert Contest

A&A Plumbing Best “No Bake” Dessert Contest

Nicole M. Gruber Memorial Pineapple Upside Down Cake Contest, sponsored by M. Frantz Lawns

Grim’s Orchard & Family Farms Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest