Blue ribbon sweet potato pie? First place antique farm equipment? Grand or reserve champion? 
 

There are awards to be won in the various exhibits and shows at the Cumberland County Fair. 
 

Debby Lewis, president of the Cumberland County Livestock Association, contributes more than 100 volunteer hours to the Cumberland County Fair every year, supporting both 4H and the FFA groups. 
 

“I just finished ordering all of the trophies and ribbons for the livestock shows,” Lewis said.

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A longtime volunteer at the show, Lewis has been involved for more than four decades.
 

“My husband and I raised hogs, or feeder pigs, for years,” Lewis said. “When my boys, Shane and Shawn, got older, they started showing them. They showed at the county and state fairs until they aged out and then I started volunteering. We’ve always been active in the Livestock Association. My sons are in their 40s now.”
 

The Cumberland County Livestock Association is ready for the entries this year and so is the county co-op extension staff who help work with the 4-H and FFA groups. 
 

“We have youth from across the state come to show at our fair. Gray's Creek High School is fortunate to have a barn at their school and their FFA members will be showing goats this year at the Cumberland County Fair. That show will take place on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m.,” said Liz Joseph, livestock extension agent for the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension. “We have livestock that remains at the fair for the duration, usually chickens, rabbits, goats, sheep, and sometimes pigs and ducks. These animals are judged for a different competition based on their species and gender. Animals are awarded ribbons based on the placing they receive.” 
 

Along with livestock and poultry exhibits, there are opportunities to win ribbons for seasonal entries from carved pumpkins to Christmas ornaments, clothing, arts and crafts including photography and birdhouses, handicrafts such as cross stitch and quilts, canned fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies, baked goods, floriculture, agriculture, horticulture and 4-H entries. New this year, they are allowing 4-H Cloverbuds and K-2 youth are limited to 10 items and youth, grades 3-12, and 4-H entries ages 8-19 to enter up to 20 items (with the exception of 4-H Project Expression Exhibits). 
 

Outside of the Cumberland County Fair, there is also a winner named for the County Fair “Best in Show” who then goes to the North Carolina State Fair. 
 

Open to first- and second-graders in Cumberland and contiguous counties only, is the 2021 Fair Scene coloring contest. First-place winners will receive a prize and ribbons will be awarded to the top three per grade level at each participating school. 
 

Another fun couple of fair entries are the “table setting contest” and the “build a scarecrow contest.” For the table setting contest, themes can be chosen for family celebration, holiday or one of the four seasons. For the scarecrow, 30 out of 100 points can be awarded for adherence to the fair theme “Agriculture, Food and Rides! Oh My!”
 

The Cumberland County Fair Pageant is also back this year on Sept. 4 with applications due on Aug. 23. There are two divisions from birth to 6 years old and from ages 7 and up. For the application and more information, visit www.cumberlandcountyfairpageant.com. 
 

Along with the contests, there is an auction for swine and feed calves at the fair. 
 

“We have a mock auction after our Show and Sale which features pigs and beef cattle. Everyone is welcome to bid on the animal during the auction. The money goes to the child showing the animal and unlike a typical auction, the animal stays in the possession of the showmen,” Joseph said. “This show will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 8 and starts at 5 p.m.”
 

Lewis agreed that it was an exciting time for the participants.
 

“The auction on Wednesday night is when the kids can make some money. They really work hard,” said Lewis, “We help with a week of shows at the Cumberland County Fair including junior laying hens, market lambs, meat goats, beef heifers, swine/market hogs, feeder calves and steers. This auction is always special for them.”
 

If anyone is interested in getting involved or helping raise funds for the young farmers in FFA or 4H, the Cumberland County Livestock Association will have its annual Oyster Roast fundraiser on Nov. 4. 
 

Find more information on awards or how to submit entries here.