The 2024 Elizabethtown Fair will include a variety of contests. The fair will run from Monday to Saturday, Aug. 19 to 24, at the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, East High Street, Elizabethtown. To learn more about the fair, visit http://www.etownfair.com.

The Group Exhibits competition is open to any group, including youth, adult, or both. Exhibitors may include families, as well as 4-H, FFA, family, school, Scouting, industrial, and commercial groups. First place will receive a cash prize. Entries must be tabletop exhibits with a maximum size of 4 by 10 by 6 feet and should provide the viewer with a better understanding of agriculture and/or agribusiness either through their educational value or their promotion of a product. Each entry will be judged on how much it attracts attention, arouses interest, and conveys a message, as well as on design, workmanship, and originality.

All group exhibits must be entered on a General Entry Form and mailed with an entry fee to The Elizabethtown Fair, P.O. Box 285, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Entries must be postmarked by Thursday, Aug. 1. For information, contact Sally at 717-808-1397.

The fair will host its second annual baby race on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 5:30 p.m. The race is open to babies ages 6 to 12 months old who can crawl but cannot yet walk.

A parent or guardian and one other adult chaperone must escort the baby to the race mat. One adult chaperone will be positioned at each end of the mat, and the chaperones may use toys, bottles, binkies, and other items to help encourage the baby to crawl. The adults may not move or reach beyond their designated area during the race.

The baby who crawls from one side of the mat to the other the fastest will receive a cash prize. If no babies have crossed the finish line after 3 minutes, the baby who is closest to the finish line will be declared the winner. Babies who walk at any time during the race will be disqualified.

In addition to the race, competitors may participate in a costume contest with the theme "Barnyard Animals." A panel of judges will evaluate the entrants based on creativity, adherence to theme, and overall presentation to choose the winner, who will receive a gift certificate to Carter's.

To register, email the completed entry form to elizabethtownkiwanis@gmail.com. Registrations will also be accepted in the Fair Office on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Walk-up registration will only be available if space permits.

For more information, call Cortney at 570-412-3336.

The annual Talent Show will be held on Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. on the Kiwanis Stage. The contest is open to any amateur from the greater Elizabethtown area. No full bands are eligible to compete. The contest will have four divisions: Adult Amateurs, Youth Amateurs (up to and including age 18), Lip Sync, and Itty Bitty (under age 10).

Any type of talent is acceptable. Contestants will perform a two- to three-minute act. Each presentation must be fully staged with costumes, props, dancing, and so on as appropriate.

All contestants must supply their own CD for the song or dance to be performed. All lyrics and music will be used at the discretion of the contest officials.

No profanity or inappropriate actions or dress will be permitted. If an act is deemed inappropriate, the performance will be terminated immediately. Judging criteria will include musical ability (when applicable), choreography (when applicable), costuming, originality and creativity, stage presentation, effectiveness, and overall presentation. The decision of the judges is final. The top three winners will receive prize money.

Entry forms may be obtained from Gina Mariani or in the Elizabethtown Fair Premium Book. All entries and entry fees must be mailed to Mariani. Entries will also be accepted at the Fair Office on Aug. 17 between 9 a.m. and noon. For an entry form or additional information, contact Mariani at 717-278-8484.

The annual essay contest and poetry contest will again be held as part of the Elizabethtown Fair. Both an original essay and an original poem may be titled "Why I Like the Elizabethtown Fair" or any other title relating to the Elizabethtown Fair.

The essay may be handwritten or typed. It may not exceed one page typed or two pages written and must be neat and legible. Judging will be based on clarity of expression, content, creativity, grammar, and organization.

The poem may not exceed two pages in length. It must be neat and legible but may be handwritten or typed. Judging will be based on clarity of expression, content, and creativity.

Both contests are open to students in grades one to 12 and adults. There will be age divisions for judging. Prize money and ribbons will be awarded for five placings in each age division.

A cover sheet listing the entrant's name, address, phone number, and grade just completed or adult must accompany the essay and/or poem. Names should be on the cover sheet and not on the poem or essay. Entries are to be submitted in a page protector.

Essay and poetry exhibits may be picked up on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church.

A drug awareness poster contest will be open to students in kindergarten through grade eight. All posters must be on 11-by-14-inch poster board and must be done in dark pens, markers, or crayons. Posters must be neat and legible and will be judged on content and appearance. The creator's name, address, and phone number should be noted on the back of the poster. There will be five age divisions for judging purposes, and ribbons and prize money will be awarded to five places in each division.

Essay, poetry, and poster submissions will be received at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, 996 E. High St., on Aug. 19 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Entries will be displayed throughout the week.

For more information about the drug awareness poster contest, call Sally at 717-653-5985.