Tennessee's Outstanding Fairs Honored

Tennessee’s agricultural fairs across the state were recognized for excellence during the Fairs’ Merit Awards at the 104th Tennessee Association of Fairs (TAF) Convention, held Jan. 15–17 in Murfreesboro.

In 2025, nearly 3 million visitors attended county, regional, and state fairs across Tennessee, enjoying more than 205,000 exhibits. More than 20,000 volunteers made those fairs possible, supporting livestock, farm crops, competitions, and education displays while contributing significantly to the state’s economic impact.

Nearly 900 people attended the convention, themed “Treasuring Agricultural Fairs,” where the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and TAF honored top county, regional, and state agricultural fairs from the 2025 season.

A total of 50 fairs received the Award of Merit for excellence in agriculture, education, community participation, programs, and appearance. The White County Fair received the highest honor, being named the 2025 State Champion of Champions Fair. The Champion of Champions is selected from the three 2024 division state champions.
“For more than 170 years, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture has promoted agriculture through fairs across Tennessee,” Commissioner Andy Holt said. “From livestock shows to local exhibits, fairs put Tennessee agriculture on display.”

“Agricultural fairs bring communities together through wholesome competition, family-friendly entertainment, and opportunities for youth,” Tennessee Association of Fairs President Heath Hill said.
 
2025 Fair Category Winners

Division A
•          State champion: Benton County Fair
•          First runner-up: Bledsoe County Fair
•          Second runner-up: Smith County Fair
•          Most improved: Clay County Fair

Division AA
•          State champion: Hardin County Fair 
•          First runner-up: Henry County Fair
•          Second runner-up: Middle Tennessee District Fair
•          Most improved: Obion County Fair               

Division AAA       
•          State champion: Sevier County Fair
•          First runner-up: Anderson County Fair
•          Second runner-up: Robertson County Fair
•          Most improved: Jefferson County Fair          

Champion of Champions: White County Fair

Judy Basse Memorial Award for Outstanding Fair Secretary: Cyndie Wolford, Sevier County Fair

Thornton Taylor Award for Outstanding Dedication to Fair Programs in Tennessee: Rick Clark, Greene County Fair

Vernon Henson Memorial Award: Heath Hill, Middle Tennessee District Fair

TAF Scholarship: Ty Childers, Warren County Fair

In the regional division, the Appalachian Fair, Tennessee Valley Fair, and The Nashville Fair received the Award of Merit. In the state division, the Wilson County — Tennessee State Fair received the Award of Merit based on overall fair operations.

The statewide Fair Showcase awarded prizes in 40 categories, including fair catalogs, social media, educational displays, videos, posters, scrapbooks, creative ideas, and exhibits. In its 28th year, the competition drew 622 entries from 45 fairs.

Find out more information about Tennessee’s agricultural fairs online.
 
Fair Showcase Winners 2026
Category                                                        First Place                                                     Second Place                             Third Place
Premium Book - A Division                   Sequatchie County Fair                          Clay County Fair                      Benton County Fair
Premium Book - AA Division                Bedford County Fair                                Dyer County Fair                     Warren County Fair
Premium Book - AAA/Regional Div.  Wilson County-Tenn. State Fair          Sevier County Fair                  Anderson County Fair
Premium Tabloid                                      Greene County Fair                                 Trousdale County Fair          Obion County Fair
Fair Collage                                                 Wilson County-Tenn. State Fair          Cumberland County Fair     The Nashville Fair
Fair Brochure                                             Morgan County Fair                                Greene County Fair               Lincoln County Fair
Fair Flyer                                                      Cumberland County Fair                       Lincoln County Fair                Wilson Cty-TN State Fair
Fair Poster                                                   Wilson County-Tenn. State Fair          Rhea County Fair                    Bedford County Fair
Ugly Fair Sweater                                     Clay County Fair                                        Putnam County Fair              Cumberland County Fair
Scrapbook - A Division                           Bledsoe County Fair                                Overton County Fair             Clay County Fair
Scrapbook – AA Division                       Rhea County Clay                                     Benton County Fair               Macon County Fair
Scrapbook - AAA Division                     Coffee County Fair                                   Cumberland County Fair     Jefferson County Fair
Scrapbook – Regional                             Wilson County-Tenn. State Fair          Tennessee Valley Fair           Appalachian Fair
Scrapbook – Digital All Divisions        Williamson County Fair                         Bedford County Fair              Lincoln County Fair
Pick Tennessee Products Exhibit        Wilson County-Tenn. State Fair          Coffee County Fair                 Warren County Fair
Baby or Lap Quilt                                     Rhea County Fair                                      Lincoln County Fair                Macon County Fair
Quilt-Hand Pieced & Hand Quilted   Lincoln County Fair                                  Macon County Fair                Wilson Cty-TN. State Fair
Quilt-Machine Pieced & Machine Quilted       Putnam County Fair              Lincoln County Fair                Wilson County-TN State Fair
Quilt – Machine Pieced and Hand Quilted      Macon County Fair                Wilson Cty-TN State Fair Sequatchie County Fair
Quilt – Hand Pieced and Machine Quilted      Macon County Fair                Fentress County Fair                               N/A
Fair Display - Free Standing                  Wilson County-TN State Fair                Rhea County Fair                    Macon County Fair
Fair Display - Table Top                          Fentress County Fair                               Wilson Cty-TN State Fair     Rhea County Fair
Fair Promotional Item                            Tennessee Valley Fair                             Lauderdale County Fair       Wilson Cty-TN State Fair
Best Season Pass                                      Wilson Cty-TN State Fair                       Rhea County Fair                    Tennessee Valley Fair
Best Fair Theme Display-Round          Bedford County Fair                                Lincoln County Fair                Bledsoe County Fair
TAF Theme Collage                                  Rhea County Fair                                      Clay County Fair                      Wilson Cty-TN State Fair
Digital Advertising Media                     Anderson County Fair                             Macon County Fair                Wilson Cty-TN State Fair
Other Media                                              Wilson Cty-TN State Fair                       Tennessee Valley Fair           The Nashville Fair
Creative Fair Idea - Agricultural          Rhea County Fair                                      The Nashville Fair                   Wilson Cty-TN State Fair
Creative Non-Ag Fair Idea                     Dyer County Fair                                       Lincoln County Fair                Wilson Cty-TN State Fair
Fair Hats                                                       Rhea County Fair                                      Putnam County Fair              Anderson County Fair
Fair Shirts – Screen Print                       Benton County Fair                                 Wilson Cty-TN State Fair     The Nashville Fair
Fair Shirts – Embroidery                        Macon County Fair                                  Lauderdale County Fair       Sevier County Fair
Fair Ribbon Craft                                      Overton County Fair                               Benton County Fair               The Nashville Fair
Recycled/Repurposed Item                  Lincoln County Fair                                  Dickson County Fair              Rhea County Fair
Fair Follies Picture                                   Wilson Cty-TN State Fair                       Bedford County Fair              Rhea County Fair
Painted Rock                                              Macon County Fair                                  Bedford County Fair              Warren County Fair
Unique Crocheted Item                         Humphreys County Fair                         Wilson Cty-TN State Fair     Bledsoe County Fair

Golden Needle Award – Quilt from the Macon County Fair                                            

Most Outstanding Entry (chosen from all 1st place winners) – Recycled Item - Firepit from the Lincoln County Fair