The 2026 Marin County Fair Wants Your Entries!
The Marin County Fair is back for summer 2026, with the theme "Stars, Stripes & Stories," and now is the time to start thinking about your entries for the fair's many competitions. The online entry application is open now, and the deadline for entry to most competitions is on or before Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (Clothing & Textiles entries must be submitted by Thursday, June 4.)
Children ages 5–18 can enter any number of Junior Division competitions, including arts and crafts, hobbies, cartoon art, performing arts, photography, poetry, and creative writing, not to mention traditional preserved food, horticulture, and floral categories. Do you have a prize-winning cow, goat, or chicken in the backyard? Kids can enter all sorts of livestock in the fair. Don't have a farm animal? Don't worry — kids can also enter their furry friends in the Guinea Pig, Rabbit, or Pocket Pet (mice, rats, hamsters, turtles, and other critters) competitions. "Stars, Stripes & Stories"-themed competitions include Taste of Tradition, Piñatas, and Produce Art for both kids and adults.
There's bound to be something for everyone in the family to enter. My kids always love entering something in the fair, and it's thrilling to see what kind of ribbon you've won! Register for exhibits at marin.fairwire.com. There is a small entry fee, usually $2 to $6, for junior and family competitions and special fair theme categories, although some competitions are free to enter, too.
This year the Marin County Fair takes place July 1–5 at the Marin County Fairgrounds near the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael. Visit www.marinfair.org for more information.
