PAVILIONS COMPETITIONS
This is where Lake County comes to compete each year. From quilts to cattle, pickles to petunias, and sheep to scrapbooks….
there is a category for every age and talent!
2026 LAKE COUNTY FAIR COMPETITIONS KEY DATES
Tuesday, April 28 @ 9:30am: Online registration opens
Saturday, May 24 @ 11:59pm: Early Bird Special ends
Sunday, May 17 @ 1:00pm: Pavilions Open House - This is your chance to visit the fairgrounds, ask questions about pavilion competition entries, and get expert guidance on preparing your exhibits for the fair. (Please RSVP to the email lcfair.pavilion.info@gmail.com by Saturday, May 16 if able to attend)
Sunday, July 12 @ 11:59pm: Entries Close
Late entries accepted until 5:00pm Saturday July 25th ($5.00 per item applies)
GENERAL INFORMATION
All competitions are open to Lake County and non-Lake County residents.
If you have any questions about your specific department (judging criteria, which division/class to enter, etc.), please contact the department Superintendent via email: lcfair.pavilion.info@gmail.com
Entries cannot be changed or voided once they have been submitted. No refunds.
The Lake County Fair reserves the right to change premium amounts. Any changes will be made in the Competition Handbooks and posted on this website.
HOW TO ENTER
REVIEW THE COMPETITIONS HANDBOOK
In the Competitions Handbook, review the General Information page and Department Rules for the department you are entering.
ENTER ONLINE
Entries will only be accepted online.
If you do not have access to a computer, need assistance entering online, or do not have a credit/debit card and wish to pay by check or cash, please call the Fair Office to schedule an appointment and we’d be happy to help you in person.
Click ‘Enter Online’ to access the Showorks online entry system.
TAG PICK-UP, ENTRY DROP-OFF & OTHER INFORMATION
Entry tags will be available at check-in when you drop off your entries.
Entry drop-off times are listed in the Competitions Handbook.
Once your department is judged, you may retrieve your items on the date and time listed in the Competitions Handbook - This will be Sunday for most Pavilions departments. You will need a ticket to enter the fair!
Prize Money: If you placed and receive a monetary prize, premium checks will be mailed the week of August 10. All winners must have a social security number on file if prize winnings are $600.00 or higher - no exceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Send us an email!
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Please call the office at (847) 680-7200 Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm. Or, if you need some extra assistance, call us to set up an appointment and we'd be happy to help you in the fair office to get your entries submitted online. If you have a specific question pertaining to a Division/Class (for example: What Swine division to enter or what materials to use for a Textiles entry), please contact the Superintendent directly (contact info is listed in the Competitions Handbook) or use the above form for any Pavilions-related questions.
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ShoWorks™ is the most popular exhibitor and entries management software used by almost all state and county fairs in North America.
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Once you submit your entries, you may not change or delete your entries. If you feel like you may change your mind, we suggest you put the entries in your cart until you are 100% sure that you want to enter. Remember - your entries must be paid for by the entry deadline in order to be eligible for this year’s fair.
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You may pay online with Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or PayPal.
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You may pay with cash or check, but will need to make an appointment with the fair office. We will sit with you at a computer and help you enter online and then you may pay in cash or make a check payable to "Lake County Fair Association"
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Yes. If you were an exhibitor last year, you will need to register as a new exhibitor. Once registered, you may save your cart and log-in (with your password) at a later time to finish your entries. Your account will not save unless you have added an entry to your cart.
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Yes. You will have the option to have a receipt emailed to you. Or, you can view your past transactions when you log into your Showorks account.
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Your username and password will only be saved in Showorks if you have submitted (paid) for your entries OR you have items in your cart.
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You will need to purchase a ticket each time you visit the fair from July 29-August 2. You will need to purchase a ticket to pick up your entries on Sunday, August 2. Fair tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Fair tickets cannot be purchased via Showorks. Porkchop Pass: enter 15+ entries, and you will be emailed 1 free ticket to the fair! You may use this to pick up your entries on Sunday.
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If you are showing livestock, or believe your prize winnings and auction earnings may total over $600, we suggest you enter your Social Security Number. This is the most secure way for your 1099 information to be processed. If you earn over $600 and chose not to enter your Social Security Number online, you will required to complete a paper W-9 before your premium check is released.