The best fairs in Tennessee are being honored for their success in sharing agriculture with citizens statewide.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture and Tennessee Association of Fairs recently presented awards to the top county, regional, and state agricultural fairs for the 2019 season. Approximately 850 people attended the Fairs Merit Awards event during the 98th Tennessee Association of Fairs Convention held January 16-18, 2020, in Murfreesboro.

A total of 53 fairs received the Award of Merit based on agriculture, educational value, overall operations, and the promotion of local interest and community spirit. The Sevier County Fair received the highest honor when it was named the Champion of Champions Fair for 2019. The Champion of Champions is selected from the 2018 division winners.

In 2019, nearly three million visitors attended county, regional, and state fairs in Tennessee, enjoying more than 212,000 exhibits. There were more than 76,000 entries in livestock and farm crops contests and other exhibitions. More than 22,000 volunteers made those fairs possible, contributing to $13.5 million in economic impact.

Here are the winners in the coverage area honored:

Premium Book – A Division

1^st – Morgan County Fair

2^nd – White County Fair

3^rd – Overton County Fair

Premium Book – AAA Division

3rd – Putnam County Fair

Premium Tabloid

3^rd – Bledsoe County Fair

Letterhead

2^nd – Overton County Fair

Scrapbook – A Division

1^st – Bledsoe County Fair

2^nd – Fentress County Fair

Scrapbook – AA Division

2^nd  – Rhea County Fair

Scrapbook – AAA Division

1^st – Cumberland County Fair

2^nd – Putnam County Fair

Pick Tennessee Products Exhibit

1^st – Clay County Fair

Fair Picture Collage

2^nd – Overton County Fair

Quilt – Hand Pieced and Hand Quilted

3^rd – Clay County Fair

Quilt – Machine Pieced and Machine Quilted

3^rd – Bledsoe County Fair

Quilt – Machine Pieced and Hand Quilted

2^nd – Clay County Fair

3^rd – Rhea County Fair

Fair Display – Free Standing

1^st – Rhea County Fair

Fair Display – Table Top

1^st – Overton County Fair

3^rd – Putnam County Fair

Best Season Pass

1^st – White County Fair

2^nd – Morgan County Fair

Best Fair Theme Display

1^st – Rhea County Fair

Power Point

1^st – Putnam County Fair

3^rd – Bledsoe County Fair

Creative Fair Idea – Agriculture

2^nd – Rhea County Fair

Fair Hat – Any Medium

1^st – Morgan County Fair

Fair T-Shirt – Embroidery

3^rd – White County Fair

Recycled Product

1^st – Rhea County Fair

2^nd – Bledsoe County Fair

3^rd – Putnam County Fair

Fair Follies Picture

1^st – Rhea County Fair

Painted Rock

1^st – Bledsoe County Fair

3^rd – Putnam County Fair

Most Unique Crocheted Item

2^nd – Rhea County Fair

3^rd – Bledsoe County Fair

Most Outstanding Entry

“A real working pedal car made from parts from 8 bicycles and other recycled items”

Rhea County Fair