Picture a blue ribbon at the 2019 Clay County Fair

With new themes and a new sponsor, now is a perfect time to begin sorting through all of the photos you have taken since the 2018 Fair and enter them in one of the many photography competitions at the 2019 Clay County Fair.

Photographers may enter up to 12 photographs with one entry per class. Divisions include color photographs or black and white photographs of people, places, landscape, things, plants, or animals/insects world.

A separate division for creative photography allows photographers to use different techniques to alter the photograph, including computer manipulation, multi-images into one photo, camera filters and trick lenses. A separate class, other than above, is available for people who have altered an image other than the three categories.

“Each year we get more entries, and the quality and interpretation of our themes is better every year,” said Dana Metcalf, superintendent of the Photography Department.

Exhibitors entering sponsored divisions have the opportunity to win increased cash prizes. All divisions include a youth class for those under 18 and an adult class.

Sponsored divisions include “Proud to be a Fan” (Proud division sponsored by VW Docks of Spirit Lake); “Standing on the Edge” (Concepts division sponsored by Campbell, Higgins, and Mummert, P.C.); “Up in Smoke” (Photojournalism division sponsored by the Spencer Daily Reporter); “Seasons” (Beautiful Iowa division sponsored by Clay Mutual Insurance); “Protecting our Wildlife” (Conservation division sponsored by Clay County Soil Conservation Service); and “Sports” (Action division sponsored by Fox, Boyd, Sailer, & Shiver Dental Center).

Metcalf also mentioned that the Photography department is still looking for a sponsor of the Objects division. The theme for this year is “Flags.” Sponsors are open to all and every business and group.

Check out the exhibitor handbook online at www.claycountyfair.com or pick one up at the Fair Administrative Offices to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the Fair.  Pre-registration for all exhibits is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by August 15.  For those who choose not to pre-register, registration can also occur when entries are accepted at the Photography Center on Aug. 30 (Noon-7:00pm) and Aug. 31 (9:00am-3:00pm).