District fair announces entry dates, new categories

The annual Comanche/Empire District Fair is set to open its doors to exhibitors and attendees soon, with organizers announcing specific dates for entry submissions and highlighting several new categories for this year’s event.

Fair entries for household sciences, flowers, baked goods, canning, art, photography, 4-H, horticulture and crops, forage crops, and fruits and vegetables will be accepted only on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. All entries must have been made, preserved, or grown by the exhibitor within the past year.

Fair officials emphasized the introduction of “New Categories” this year, including more junior divisions and entirely new classes, along with “Best of Show” awards in all categories.

Judging for these entries will be completed before the fair reopens to the public at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8. All exhibits will be released at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8.

Livestock entries will be accepted at the Comanche Ag Complex on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 8 a.m. Superintendents for livestock include James Morgan with Comanche Ag. The show order for livestock will be cattle, swine, sheep, and goats.

Livestock Divisions include:

n Dairy Cattle: Bulls, Cows (over 1 year), Heifers (under 1 year).

n Beef Cattle: Bulls, Cows (over 1 year), Heifers (under 1 year). Classes will be divided by superintendents after all entries are officially made.

n Swine: Gilt (Jr.), Gilt (Sr.), Market Barrows, with specific breeds including Berkshire, Poland China, Chester White, Spots, Duroc, Yorkshire, Hampshire, and Cross. Classes will be divided based on the number of entries.

n Sheep: Rams, Ewes (under 1 year), Ewes (over 1 year), Market Lambs, with breeds such as Southdown, Shropshire, Suffolk, Dorset, Hampshire, and Cross.

n Goats: Nubians, Pygmy, Crossbreeds, Angora, and All Other Purebreds. Goat classes will be divided by the number of entries.

The Flower Show, overseen by The Comanche Garden Club, will feature:

n Adult (19 and over) divisions: Fresh and Dried Arrangements (including Summer Bouquet, Miniature, Tea Cup & Saucer, Country Road, Ornamental Grass), Flowering Plants & Others (Floral Pot Plant, Foliage Pot Plant, Hanging Baskets, Dish Garden, Water Garden Plant or Lily, Planted Terrarium, Cacti and Succulent categories), and Cut Flowers (Petunias, Marigolds, Celosia, Zinnias, Periwinkles, Roses, Other Annuals/Perennials, Flowering Shrubs, Crepe Myrtle).

n Juniors (18 and under) divisions: Bouquet, Hanging Basket, Potted Plant, Roadside Flower, Cacti, Dish Garden, Planted Terrarium.

n A “Best of Show” ribbon will be awarded in both adult and junior flower divisions.

Horticulture and Crops categories include:

n Vegetables: Irish, Sweet, and Red Potatoes; Beets, Carrots, Turnips, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Cucumber, various Pumpkins, Peas, Watermelons, Melons, various Peppers, Squash, Tomatoes, Okra, Onions, Gourds, and Garlic.

n Fruits: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Winesap, Jonathan, and All Other Apples; Grapes, Pears, Peaches, and All Other Fruit.

n Herbs: Potted Herb, Dried Herb.

n Home Garden Basket: Senior and Junior divisions, requiring 6-10 different kinds of fruits and/or vegetables for display and judging.

n Grains and Legumes (1 peck): Alfalfa, Plains Bluestem, Vetch, Barley, Cowpeas, Millet, Oats, Rye, Sudan, Threshed Grain Sorghum, Spanish Peanuts, Other Peanuts, Early/Medium/Late Maturing Wheat.

n Corn, Grain & Sorghums (5 ears or heads): Yellow Corn, White Corn, All Other Varieties of Corn, Grain Sorghum, Cotton (5 open bolls).

n Forage Crops (bundle 3-5 inches in diameter): Alfalfa, Plains Bluestem, Millet, Sudan, Peanuts (with nuts), Sorghum, Fall Grain, Little Bluestem, Switch Grass, Indian Grass, Weeping Love Grass, Big Bluestem, Bermuda, Grass Collections.

n Apiary: White/Amber Bulk Comb Honey, White/Amber Extracted Honey, One Frame Honey.

n Eggs: One Dozen White, One Dozen Non-White.

n Canning and Preserving will feature:

n Canned Pickles & Relish (Pint or Quart): Pickled Beets, Cucumbers (Sweet/Sour), Dill Relish, Relish, Peppers, Pickled Fruit, All Other Pickled, Picante Sauce, Pickled Okra.

n Preserves: Apple, Strawberry, Pear, Watermelon, Peach, Tomato, Plum, Pear Honey, All Other Preserves.

n Canned Jellies: Apple, Berry, Grape, Plum, Peach, Cherry, All Other Jellies.

n Canned Butter & Jams (1/2 Pint or Pint): Apple, Apricot, Berry, Peach, Plum (Jam/Butter), All Others.

n Canning Junior Division (18 and under): Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Canned Pickles or Relish, Preserves, Canned Jellies, Canned Butter or Jam, Dried Fruits or Vegetables.

n Dried Fruits or Vegetables: Sealed in Plastic Bag or Jar.

Baked Goods entries include:

n Youth Division (16 and younger): Cake, Cookies (3), Pie (Any Kind), Brownies (3), Muffins (3), Bread (Fruit), Bread (Yeast), Others Not Listed.

n Adult Division: White/Whole Wheat/Bread Machine/Nut or Fruit Bread (1 loaf), Yeast Rolls (3), Chocolate Cake (Frosted), Cake Not Listed, Cookies (Sugar/Other/Chocolate Chips (3)), Brownies (3), Pound Cake, Candy, Muffins.

n Pies (in foil pans): Chocolate Cream, Lemon, Coconut Cream, Pineapple, Cherry, Peach, Pecan, Custard, Apple, Any Other Flavor.

n Textiles & Household Science, superintended by OHCE, features:

n Household Linens: Apron, Place Mats, Table Runner/Cloth, Kitchen Accessories, Doily/Center Piece, Embroidered Item, Dresser Scarf, Pillowcases, Bedspread, Comforter, various types of Quilts (Hand/Machine, Appliquéd/Embroidered), Toys, and Others Not Listed.

n Clothing (Youth Division - 18 and under): Sportswear, Dress Wear, Shorts/Pants/Skirt, Clothing Not Listed, Any Crochet/Knitted Item.

n Clothing (Adult Division): Baby Sets, Girls/Youth/Boys Clothing, Children/Teen’s Sportswear, Woman’s Dress, Men’s Wear, Suit or Coat, Adult Sportswear, Night Wear, Vest, Shirt (Decorated), Sweatshirt Class, Purse/Tote/Handbag, Others Not Listed.

n Crocheted & Knitted Garment: Baby Afghan/Set, Sweater, Crocheted Afghan/Toy/Doily/Bedspread/Tablecloth/Doll Item, Knitted Afghan/Toy/Vest, Other Crocheted/Knitted Item, Rug (Crocheted/Knitted), Purse/Tote (Crocheted/Knitted).

n School Age: Watercolor, Pencil, Color Pencil, Chalk, Oil Original, Oil Pastel, Copy Work (all media), Charcoal, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Other Not Listed.

n Adult Division: Same categories as School Age.

All pictures must be mounted or matted; frames are not permitted. Picture story entries consist of 3 prints displayed as one.

n Jr. Photography: People, Animal, Scenic, Picture Story (3 Pics), Other Photo Not Listed.

n Adult Photography: People, Animal, Scenic, Comedy, Plant Life, Black & White, Hobby Picture, Picture Story (3 Pics), Other Photo Not Listed.

n Jr. Crafts (16 and younger): Plaster Art, Pottery, Textile Craft, Bead Work, Toy, Wall Hanging, Wood Craft, Recycled Item, Leather Work, Others Not Listed.

n Adult Crafts: Felt/Weaving/Plastic/Paper, Leather Work, Needlepoint, Metal Silhouette, Jewelry, Wall Hanging (Any Kit/Original), Accessory Pillow, Flower Arrangement (Permanent), Crewel, Needlework Picture, Refinished Furniture, Woodwork (Stained/Varnished), Painted Woodwork Item, Purse/Tote Bag, Stuffed Toy, Dolls, Cross Stitch (Any Kit/Smaller), Christmas Craft, Plastic Canvas, Recycled Item, Stained Glass, Bird House, Painted Gourds, Basket Weaving, Other Not Listed, Ceramic (All Media), Pottery, Barn Quilt.

4-H Exhibits will align with County Fair Exhibits. It is rec