LEBANON – The 2021 Wilson County Fair-Tennessee State Fair made history in so many ways. This was the first year to add the Tennessee State Fair along with Honoring our Hometown Heroes while celebrating the Year of Beef. Events and activities from this year’s Fair were entered into competition with other Fairs from around the world to showcase the great fun, education and competitions that take place at agriculture-based Fairs.  

Over 1,100 Entries were judged by Fair industry professionals, and awards were presented during the 2021 Virtual Awards Show both on Zoom and Facebook Live. 

“We are honored to recognize organizations exceeding in agriculture, communications, competitive exhibits and sponsorship at their fair along with non-fair facility usage events,” Brittney Harper, IAFE Member Services Coordinator, said. “Those receiving these prestigious awards were selected by our panel of judges based on their creativity, concept development, promotion, innovation and adaptability. Winners were selected from the membership of the IAFE which has over 1,800 members from around the globe. Wilson County Fair-Tennessee State Fair received a total of 20 awards in five categories, including Agriculture Awards, Communications Awards, Competitive Exhibits Awards, Sponsorship Awards and Non-Fair Facility Usage Awards.” 

Agriculture Awards   

1^st place – Newly established or evolving program/exhibit at your fair which promotes agriculture to the fairgoing public – Celebrating Year of Beef Agriculture Commodity 

3^rd place – Agricultural exhibitor events, awards, participants incentives or retention programs – Incentives to increase exhibitor numbers in livestock 

3^rd place – Technique/procedure/policy developed by Farm Management to correct an issue/challenge related to an agricultural program – Increasing information to non-livestock showing public (Livestock Shows Catalog and Information Booth) 

3^rd place – Livestock picture – Youth showing cattle 

3^rd place – Agriculture Education picture – Feeding baby piglet from Birthing Barn  

3^rd place – Agriculture individual picture – Tennessee State Flag created from large round hay bales 

3^rd place – Any other Agriculture program/exhibit – Showcasing 4-H, FFA and Wool in Q Barn area 

Communications Awards  

1^st place – At Home Activities (non-video) – Mailbox and Door Decorating Contests 

2^nd place – Social Media Campaign 

2^nd place – Promotional/Advertising Poster – 2021 Fair Poster 

Competitive Exhibits Awards  

1^st place – Use of Theme Throughout Multiple Divisions of Competitive Exhibits 

1^st place – New Contest or Competition – Outhouse Race 

1^st place – Competitive Exhibit New Display Method and/or Prop – Youth t-shirt display 

2^nd place – Strategy or Tactic to Engage Competitive Exhibits Participants – Taste of Tennessee Big Beef Showdown 

3^rd place – Additional Competitive Exhibits Measures Taken – Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner Ninja Competition 

Sponsorship Awards 

1st place – Sponsor Innovation – Burger Republic’s sponsorship of Taste of Tennessee Big Beef Showdown 

1^st place – Sponsorship Continuity – Wilson County Farm Bureau 

1^st place – Sponsor Exposure – Celebrating Year of Beef with Tennessee Beef Council 

2^nd place – First Time Sponsorship – Academy Sports and Outdoors  

Non-Fair Facility Usage Awards 

2^nd place – Successful Non-Fair Event at your Facility produced or co-produced by Facility Staff – Christmas in the Grove