Judging Information

• Fairs will be split into divisions based on their 2025 attendance (7,000 and under; 7,001-30,000; 30,001+)

• Ribbons will be awarded for First through Third Place for each category within each division.

• Entries will be judged (using a 1-to-15-point system where 1 is poor and 15 is excellent)

• Judges’ remarks concerning your fair entries will be available after judging.

• All Judges Decisions will be FINAL.

Descriptions:

• Creativity Award – Originality of thought or expression, new, different, unique in design. Indicative of creative excellence and attention to detail. Entry should excite or interest you and have visual appeal, color harmony, and visual impact. Entry is overall memorable. All classes will receive a separate score on Creativity.

PHYSICAL ENTRIES: (To be brought to the convention in person for submission)

• Fair Program – a pamphlet or booklet that contains information such as the schedule, map, entertainment, sponsors, etc.

• Poster / Flyer - “a printed picture and / or information about your fair, used for decoration or advertisement”. Posters and flyers come in many sizes and include a multitude of information. Most are color and some are black and white.

• Promotional Merchandise/T-shirts/Polo Shirts - “items that publicly promote something such as an organization or event in order to attract or increase interest in it”. Your fair may submit items that promote your fair. Items may include t-shirts, flashlights, hats, fans, etc.

• Magazine/Newspaper Advertisement - “a public announcement in a magazine not produced by your fair”. This is an advertisement you paid for or that was donated by the magazine. Affix a label on the front cover of the magazine with your fair name and the page number where the ad appears within the magazine. This can be a national or local magazine. The magazine publication date MUST be the current year. No proofs, slicks or photocopies will be allowed.

• Fair Scrapbook - “a blank book or album for pasting in photos, pictures, cuttings, or other material”. It may contain photographs, newspaper clippings, entry passes, flyers, etc. You may include items from cut up posters, flyers, etc. You may include parts of your website, magazine articles, advertisements, other promotional items, etc. Stickers, die cuts, ribbon, etc. may be used to embellish your scrapbook. Scrapbooks come in many sizes and binding types. We will accept any type of binding. The cover may be decorated in any way and must display the fair name and year. Photos may be either color or black & white or a combination of both. The Fair must produce the book and not a third-party.

DIGITAL ENTRIES: (To be emailed to vafmediaawards@gmail.com by November 5)

• Comprehensive - shows the overall marketing effort the fair undertook. A writeup, in essay form, that describes marketing plan, the impact that it had, includes any targets that were set and results. Pictures or marketing materials and graphics of results are encouraged.

• Newsletter - “a printed report or letter that contains news of interest to a specific group”. Entry may be a printed copy or an electronic or standard newsletter produced by your fair. The content must be of interest to your guests, exhibitors, sponsors or general public.

• Social media – (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) Submit your top posts from each of the platforms you use and to assist other fairs, tell us your results and share your statistics with us. And don’t forget to share the link or you may submit a paper copy.

• Commercial Streaming /Television Advertisement - “a public announcement on a local or national television station or steaming platforms. This is an advertisement you paid for or that was donated by the television station. There will be a 3-minute maximum time limit on your ad.

• Radio Advertisement – “a public announcement on a local or national radio station”. This is an advertisement you paid for or that was donated by the radio station. There will be a 3-minute maximum time limit on your ad.

People’s Choice Judging (Not Judged as part of the Media Awards)

Pageant Scrapbook - “a blank book or album for pasting in photos, pictures, cuttings, or other material”. This scrapbook is all about the Pageants and Queens at your fair. It may include contestants, pre-pageant info, pageant photos, advertisements, appearances, and events that your queens attended or organized, etc. It may contain photographs, newspaper clippings, etc. You may include parts of your website, magazine articles, advertisements, and other promotional items. Stickers, die cuts, ribbon, etc. may be used to embellish your scrapbook. The cover may be decorated in any way and must display the fair name and year.

Pageant scrapbooks will be on display in the grand foyer. Tickets will be sold for $1 each and can be purchased to ‘vote’ for your favorite scrapbook. Award to be announced at the Gala.