The theme for the fair this year is “Where Traditions Shine.”

Preregistration for open class entries is encouraged. This can be done at the fair office, which will be open starting July 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Entries will be accepted during check-in time. Each category has different deadlines, and judging days and times. Be sure to verify when exhibits are accepted and when judging begins. Information for the open class details are on the Hamilton County Fair website.

For open class entries, there is a $1 entry free for each judged item, which will be deducted from any premium checks. Premium check awards vary depending on the category.

Categories for open class, deadlines and time of judging are as follows:

Field and Garden: Deadline to bring items: 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, July 22. Judging will be held at 3 p.m. the same day. Categories for entries include agricultural, fruits, vegetables, herbs and miscellaneous.

Products of the kitchen: Articles for the exhibit must be in place by 1 p.m. Wednesday; judging begins at 2 p.m. Categories include bread, cakes, cookies and bars, candy, pies, decorated cakes and cookies, snack creations and a junior class for age 10 for ugly cakes, canned goods, balanced meal, individual jar exhibits, jellies, jams and preserves, butters, vegetables, meats, pickles, and relishes.

Hobby Craft: All articles must be in place by 2 p.m. on Monday, July 20. Judging will be on Tuesday following the textile category. Class 1 categories include Christmas or novelties or gifts, embroidery, needlepoint, dolls for decoration, dolls to play with, stuffed animals, miniature needlecraft, cross stitch, counted cross stitch, jewelry, stenciling, miscellaneous needlework, child’s fabric book, applique fabric picture-frame, holiday table decoration — non Christmas, any other table decoration, woven basket, holiday tablecloth — other than Christmas, greeting cards and miscellaneous.

Class 2 categories include metal work, wall plaques, articles made from unusual materials, candles, rosemaling, china painting, bead craft, glass craft, anything made of wood, leather, ceramics, tolle painting, articles made from a kit, painting on unusual items, mobile, metal punch, porcelain dolls, recycled materials, plastic canvas and miscellaneous.

Class 3 categories for Lot 1 are complete albums, Lot 2 is a one-page layout. Both these lots would be using the following design tools: mosaic, mixed media, quilt, paper piecing, journaling and digitally designed photo books.

Textile: All entries must be in place by 2 p.m. on Monday, July 20; judging will begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 21. Categories include garments, stretch sewing, decorative needlework — handwork, decorative needlework by machine, quilts including bed quilt, wall quilt, small or doll quilt and miscellaneous quilted items, team or group quilts, crocheted items, knitted, doll clothing, miscellaneous decorative and household articles and rugs. There is also an intermediate category for ages 16 to 20 years, and a junior class age 15 and under.

Fine Arts: All entries are due by 2 p.m. Monday, July 20. Judging will be at 10 a.m. July 21.

Categories include advanced-art teacher, art degree or sales over $500, amateur, student, children or special needs. Subcategories include oil painting, water-based media, drawing, mixed media, Hamilton County two-dimensional and miscellaneous.

First flower show: Exhibits must be in place by noon on Wednesday, July 22; judging begins at 1 p.m. July 22. Categories include primary noxious weeds, secondary noxious weeds, annuals, perennials, bulbous plants, trees and shrubs, collector’s showcase, table artistry, designers choice “prizewinning perfection,” distinction “time honored traditions” — which uses all dried materials, tricolor “fresh faces” — all fresh materials, petite design “shiny brite,” beautiful dreams.

Second flower show: All entries must be in place by noon Saturday, July 25; judging will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Categories include gladiolus, rose, dahlias, daylily, hosta, perennials, houseplants,outdoor containers, time-honored traditions,

Photography: All entries must be in place by 2 p.m. Monday, July 20. All photos must be mounted and unframed. Judging will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 21.

Categories are split between adults and youth. Each lot has the same type of photography, which is landscape, people, animal, things and plants in either black and white or color.

There is also a category for special occasions, before and after, previous Hamilton County Fairs, photos taken with a disposable camera, sports action, or miscellaneous. There is also a lot for “Anything Goes” and the fair theme class “Where Traditions Shine.”

The open class exhibits allow anyone of any age to participate, regardless of involvement in either 4-H or FFA. This list is in addition to any exhibits prepared for 4-H or FFA.

For more information about the Hamilton County Fair, fair schedule, and exhibit rules, go to the Hamilton County Fair website at https://hamcoexpo.com/fair.