Registration for the Creative Arts Division of the 2026 Hill County Fair will be open online from Monday, December 15, through Wednesday, December 31. The fair is scheduled to run from check-in on Sunday, January 11, through Saturday, January 17, at the Hill County Fairgrounds in Hillsboro.
All creative arts items must be registered at hillcountyfair.org prior to 11:59 p.m. the day the registration window closes. No late entries will be accepted.
Participants must reside in Hill County or be actively enrolled in a Hill County public, private or home school, or be a member of a Hill County 4-H or FFA club. Participants must not be a professional for the duration of the fair.
Divisions include home-baked foods, crafts, art, photography and textiles. There is a non-refundable entry fee of $6.
Those entering the photography division should note that photos must be uploaded to hillcountyfair.org in the appropriate class at the time of entry.
Baked goods, arts, crafts and textiles should be dropped off at the fairgrounds from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, January 11. Judging, which is closed to the public, will be Monday, January 12.
Item tags will be distributed at entry check-in, but all food items must be labeled on the top/front with the item name using a tag similar to the sample in the creative arts catalog at hillcountyfair.org. The exhibitor can include their name on the back of art/craft/textile entries in a manner that cannot be seen, but it is not required.
The Creative Arts Division will open to the public Tuesday, January 13, at 9 a.m.
All first-place entries will automatically be entered into the annual auction. Items winning grand champion or reserve champion are eligible to be placed into the auction. Exhibitors with more than one first-place entry will be contacted to determine which item will be entered into the auction.
All home-baked foods will need to be remade with a freshly prepared item for the auction.
The auction will be held Friday, January 16, at 6:30 p.m. Youth selling items will need to check in at 6 p.m. Auction add-ons will be open from January 18-31.
The Creative Arts Committee is looking for volunteers to help receive and judge items, as well as to assist with the bake sale and auction. Those interested can email hcfcae@gmail.com.
For more information about the county fair in general, visit hillcountyfair.org.
The Lakelander 