Hay Bale Decorating Competition
Hay Bale Decorating Competition
Your organization can enter the Hay Bale Decorating Contest for free! Entry deadline August 28, 2026. Gain exposure for your business or organization and have fun with your team!
Entries and judging will be held in 3 divisions: School, Business, Organization
There are a total of 24 hay bales available for decoration; ONE will be assigned per group. No other round hay bales may be added.
Hay bales will be assigned a number. Numbers will be assigned to participants on a first come first serve basis.
The theme for the hay bale decoration should be general agriculture/fair or patriotic to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of America's independence.
Bales can be placed lying on their side or standing on end. Please specify position of the bale on the entry form.
The dimensions of the round bale are approximately 4’ x 5’ - sizes may vary slightly.
Space for each entry is not to exceed 15 ft high by 15 ft deep by 15 ft wide.
Organizations must provide their own decorating supplies. Decorations should be weather and wind proof.
Each entry may also use a maximum of 8 small rectangular bales for decoration, which the organization must provide.
No mechanical, electrical or electronic devices may be used. Battery or solar powered devices are allowed.
Spray paint or latex paint may be applied to the hay bale, painting the ground is not permitted.
Designs that are religious, political or sexual in nature will not be accepted.
The bales should be decorated with a good clean wholesome nature. No vulgar decorations will be allowed.
The entrant’s name must be displayed on a sign no larger than 3’ x 3’ and placed within the allotted 15’ x 15’ space.
Division judging will be based on eye appeal, construction, materials used, creativity and interpretation of the themes.
A People's Choice Award winner will be announced at the end of the fair and will be determined by popular vote. A QR Code will be posted in the Hay Bale Competition Area. The winning entry will have their name and year on a plaque displayed at future county fairs.
Decorations are to remain for the entire fair. Decorations may be removed from bales after Sunday September 20, 2026 after 6 p.m. All decorations must be removed by Friday September 27, 2026 by 5 p.m.
All entries must submit a description, sketch, picture or diagram of decoration along with entry form.
Designs will be evaluated by a review panel to ensure they conform to these guidelines prior to judging.
The review panel may reject any design that does not adhere to these guidelines.
If it is determined that an organization’s finished hay bale is not in substantial conformity with the approved design, the hay bale may be removed at the sole discretion of the review committee.
YOU CAN BEGIN DECORATING HAYBALE BEGINNING SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2026. ALL DECORATIONS HAVE TO BE IN PLACE BY WEDNESDAY SEPTMBER 16, 2026 BY 7 P.M. A FINAL SCHEDULE WILL BE PROVIDED ONCE REGISTRATION CLOSES.
For questions and more information about the Community Hay Bale Decorating Contest please contact Jenilee Hallman at jhallman@isleofwightus.net or 757-357-5959.
