Message from Creative Living

As we initiate planning for the Florida State Fair six months in advance of the Fair's opening, the health, safety, and well-being of our visitors, our community, and our staff is of utmost importance to us during this time of heightened awareness over the COVID-19 virus. At this time we are proceeding in planning for the 2021 Florida State Fair with the knowledge that we may still be needing to take extra precautions to minimize our visitors' and our staff's potential exposures to the virus by following the recommendations of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health.

The primary precept of the plans that the Creative Living team is working on is to limit the risk so that our exhibitors & guests will feel safe to take part in the Competitive Exhibits portion of the Fair. Some of those plans include:  Exhibit display layout to allow for social distancing  Extended hours and reserving a block of time to drop off & pick up exhibit pieces.  Social distancing for our Creative Living judges  Baking competition to occur prior to fair to allow social distancing for exhibitors and judges.

During this time we will all need to remain flexible knowing that we are all doing what is safest for our community. I will do my best to keep you informed as we get closer to the Fair opening on April 22, 2021.

BRENDA GREGORY Creative Living Competitive Exhibits Coordinator P: 813.734.2810 | E: [email protected]

4800 US Highway 301 North | Tampa, FL 33610 Florida State Fair: April 22 – May 2, 2021

2021 Florida State Fair – Creative Living Competitions REV 3 – 12/7 Sewing Competition Handbook Adult IMPORTANT DATES Online or Paper For more information, contact Entry Form deadline Sunday, February 28, 2021 Competitive Exhibit Coordinator Deliver items to the Tuesday, March 30 thru Brenda Gregory Florida Center — Saturday, April 3, 2021 Phone: 813-734-2810 located at the Florida State T, W, F hrs: 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Email: [email protected] Fair. (see page 4) THR hrs: 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Shipping Information – SAT hrs: 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon (see page 4)

Reservations may be required for delivery

of items to the Fair.

Items exhibited April 22 – May 2, 2021 Entry pickup Tuesday, May 4 thru Saturday May 8, 2021 Reservations may be T, W & F hrs: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. required for pickup of THR hrs: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. items from the Fair. SAT hrs: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Benefits of Competing? The 2020 Sewing Best of Show The Florida State Fair is proud to showcase the bounty of was Christine Clark. talented people from around the state. Not only do we provide you the opportunity to win ribbons and prize money… it’s also a great way to share your talent with a larger community. In appreciation… all exhibitors receive a FREE ticket to attend the fair. Competition Overview Entry Fee: Adult Division $3 per entry Entry Fees are non-refundable Eligibility  The Sewing Adult Divisions are open to all Florida All information regarding Creative Living residents ages 18 and up. Competitive Exhibits can be found at www.floridastatefair.com >> PARTICIPANTS Divisions in the Sewing Competition (top of page) >> CREATIVE LIVING (drop down)  Adult Apparel – page 3 How to enter online – page 4  Children’s Apparel – page 3 General Rules – page 5  Special Occasion Apparel – page 3 Paper entry form is available on the last page.  Home Décor & Accessories – page 3  Cosplay Apparel – page 3 Exhibitors are encouraged to read this  handbook in its entirety. Recycled Fashions – page 3 To enter as a group or organization For Youth Fiber Arts Competitions contact Creative Living office at see the Youth Fiber Arts , Sewing & 813-627-4309. Quilting Competition Handbook. 1

Entry Rules Judging & Awards NUMBER OF ENTRIES The Fair ensures that the judges we employ are 1. Because of the limitations for display space knowledgeable in the division in which they are only eight (8) sewing items per person will judging and will be impartial. Judges reserve the be accepted for judging, however there is no right to reassign entries to a more appropriate division or class. Judging will be done using a limit to the number of pieces per class. scorecard to assist in keeping decisions as 2. Work must be of the artist exhibiting, objective as possible. The decision of the no teacher assisted work. judge(s) is final. GENERAL ENTRY RULES If, at the Judge’s discretion, an entry does not 3. Each adult exhibitor will receive one (1) daily merit a placing, the Judge shall give no award admission ticket to the Fair. under any circumstance. This rule applies whether 4. Entries previously exhibited in the Florida there is one or more exhibits in the Class. State Fair may not be submitted for competition. Awards Information 5. Exhibited work must be completed within Sewing – Adult Division the last two (2) years. First Place – State Fair Ribbon $12 6. Entries must have been prepared/made/ processed by the exhibitor in whose name Second Place – State Fair Ribbon $7 they are entered. Third Place – State Fair Ribbon $4 7. In keeping with the Florida State Fair’s Best of Show – State Fair Special Award $50 family orientation; nudes or items of an Best of Show Awards will be chosen from the first offensive, controversial or objectionable place winners in each Sewing Adult Division. Due nature or subject matter will not be to the COVID-19 circumstance, the Florida State Fair accepted. will be suspending the premiums for Best of Show 8. Entries completed by two or more & Best of Division awards for the 2021 Fair. individuals are permitted, but will be counted as one exhibitor (the individual Judging Criteria who completed the entry form). Construction – 50% Workmanship, Uniformity, Technique, Finishing Presentation Quality – 10% Suitability of fabric to pattern, Appropriate in quality, size, color, finish and design

General Appearance – 15%

Design, Originality, Color Combinations, Texture Combinations, Cleanliness Degree of Difficulty – 25%

The Sewing Exhibition will be held in the Florida Center during the Florida State Fair. The exhibit will be open for your viewing pleasure.

Sewing – Divisions & Classes Sewing: Adult Apparel – Adult Division 65.101 Sewing: Cosplay Apparel – Adult Division 65.105 Class Description 1 Dress (daytime) Cosplay is short for "costume play", is a type of performance art whose participants dress up as 2 Shirt, Blouse or Skirt (or combination) a specific character, often with elaborate costumes 3 Pants (Women or Men) and accessories. Costumes sewn to portray 4 Sportswear (Women or Men) characters from movies, comics, graphic novels, 5 Tailored Suit or Jacket (Women or Men) literature, science fiction, fantasy, history, etc. 6 Sleeping Wear or Robe (Women or Men) Class Description 7 Coat, Cape or Jacket (Women or Men) 1 Science Fiction Character Sewing: Children’s Apparel 2 Anime or Manga Character – Adult Division 65.102 3 Fantasy Character 4 Comic Book Character Class Description 5 Movie Character 1 Baby’s Apparel (up to 36 months) 6 Historical or Renaissance Character 2 Child’s Apparel (3-12 years) 7 Steampunk 3 Child’s Sleeping Garment or Robe 8 Holiday or Seasonal Costume 9 Other Not Listed Sewing: Special Occasion Apparel – Adult Division 65.103 Sewing: Recycled Fashions Class Description – Adult Division 65.106 1 Wedding Gown Recycled fashions must be made of at least 75% 2 Bridal Wear (bridesmaids, flower girl, recycled or reused materials that otherwise would mother of bride or groom dress) be thrown away or recycled. 3 Wedding Accessories, must be sewn Class Description (no flowers) 1 Dress – Daytime (Women) 4 Formal & Party Wear (Women, Men or Children) 2 Dress – Daytime (Children) 5 Evening Gowns or Prom Dress 3 Formal & Party Wear (Women) 4 Formal & Party Wear (Men) Sewing: Home Décor & Accessories 5 Formal & Party Wear (Children) – Adult Division 65.104 6 Gowns – Wedding or Evening (Women) Class Description 7 Gowns – Wedding or Evening (Children) 8 Coat, Cape or Jacket (Women or Men) 1 Hat, Scarf, Tie or Bowtie 9 Hats & Headpieces 2 Purse or Bag 10 Shoes 3 Apron 11 Other Not Listed 4 Pillow 5 Table Linen 6 Doll Clothes 7 Other Not Listed

How to Enter Online Delivery of Entries We encourage you to enter online, using ShoWorks.  All entries must be delivered to the Florida The Florida State Fair has implemented ShoWorks, State Fair Authority on either: an on-line entry program. ShoWorks is an industry Tuesday, March 30, 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. standard used by over 50 fairs nationally. This user- Wednesday, March 31, 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. friendly program can be trusted to accurately enter Thursday, April 1, 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. you into our competitions and allows for efficient Friday, April 2, 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. communications via e-mail. We are excited to have Saturday, April 3, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon ShoWorks to better facilitate entering Florida State Fair competitions. Deliver entries to: Florida State Fair Authority  Take a moment to look through this Competition Florida Center Bldg. Handbook to see which division and class your Enter off of Orient Road thru the Service entrance entry is eligible to compete in. Then, follow the on the west side of the fairgrounds. easy steps listed below to enter the competition you have chosen. Map with directions to the Florida Center available on the Creative Living Competitions  To Enter Online using ShoWorks. webpage. Go to www.floridastatefair.com and at the top of the home page select the PARTICIPANTS TAB  Entries arriving at the Fairgrounds after Delivery and you will see in the dropdown list a link for and Shipping Deadlines may be disqualified. CREATIVE LIVING. Select the ENTER ONLINE link on the left side of the page. Shipping Information  Everyone must register as a new exhibitor even if  Shipped entries must arrive no later than you have competed in the past. Friday, March 26, 2021.  Note that sessions expire after 20 minutes of  Include a Shipping Form, available at the bottom inactivity, so “save the cart” if you plan on leaving of the www.floridastatefair.com on the Creative the computer for more than 20 minutes. Living Competitions webpage. Shipments missing  When registering, please verify that all information their form will be returned COD after the Fair. that you entered into ShoWorks is correct. Please  Shipped entries, with Shipping Form to: pay special attention to capitalization, full names Florida State Fair Authority – Sewing of cities/counties and use proper spelling (no 4800 US Hwy 301 North abbreviations). Tampa, FL 33610.  You can pay fees online with a credit card or delay  Entries are shipped back to exhibitors after the payment and mail in a check to Creative Living. Fair in the same container. Use reusable shipping containers. Mailing Paper Entry Forms  Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the  Entry Forms must be postmarked by entrant. Sunday, February 28th, 2021.  Return shipping options: Prepaid shipping label, Failure to complete any portion of entry form UPS or FedEx account. may result in disqualification. Mail Entry Form to: Retrieving Entries Family Living Competitions – Sewing  See the calendar for Pick Up dates, times and Florida State Fair locations (page 1). P.O. Box 11766 Tampa, FL 33680  Entries not picked up on designated dates can be arranged for special pick up appointment by Make checks payable to: Florida State Fair Authority emailing [email protected].  All entries not claimed by September 1st of the same year will be recycled, disposed or donated through our program department.

General Rules Previously Entered Entry Any entry that has been exhibited at a previous Florida Disclaimer State Fair is not eligible for entry in this year’s Florida Please be advised that competitive exhibits are entered at State Fair. This excludes Horticulture & Aquarium the exhibitor's risk. The Florida State Fair does not insure Beautiful entries. and is not responsible for any loss, damage, or theft of entries, even if the loss, damage, or theft occurs as the Verification result of the handling of the exhibit by staff, volunteers, Exhibitors wishing to verify that the Florida State Fair has contractors and/or visitors. If the exhibitor desires received submitted entry forms and fees must include a insurance coverage, this coverage should be secured from self-addressed/stamped envelope when submitting entry a personal insurance agent prior to entry and the policy forms. Online submissions will receive a confirmation written to cover the period of exhibition and code once entries are submitted. transportation. Reasonable care will be taken to prevent loss or damage to exhibits. Unauthorized persons are not Responsibility permitted in the building after closing hours. The Florida State Fair shall not be responsible for exhibits remaining on the fairgrounds after designated release Division/Class Cancellation times. All still exhibits or display elements remaining on The Florida State Fair management reserves the right to the Fairgrounds after the designated release time will be return entries and cancel any division or class in which, treated as abandoned property and will be disposed of in its judgment, the entries are insufficient to secure on or before September 1st of the same year. adequate competition. Removal of Entries Entry Errors An exhibitor may not remove his or her entry from the Florida State Fair management is not responsible for Florida State Fair once it has been accepted. Entries must be finding errors in entries. Exhibitors are responsible for on exhibit at the official opening of the Fair or at any other any and all errors which were submitted online or on time specified in the Competition Handbook and shall not be entry and summary forms. No exhibitor shall be entitled removed from the Fairgrounds prior to the release date to an award which has been disallowed as the result of printed in the handbook, except (at the discretion of the his own error. The Florida State Fair management shall Florida State Fair management) in cases of positive evidence withhold the payment of awards for exhibits that are of sickness, accident and/or death, or other circumstances ineligible and may recover awards that have been paid that are in the best interests of the Fair. for ineligible entries that are disclosed during post audits of Fair records. However, exhibitors with cause are Dishonored Checks entitled to question the validity of any disallowance. A penalty of $25.00 per dishonored check must be paid Such exhibitors should inform the Florida State Fair if a check in payment of entry fees or other applicable management immediately, in writing, giving their name, fees is refused by the bank. Only cash, certified check or address, complete description of the entry and the reason money orders are acceptable for penalty payment. for requesting reconsideration. Requests will not be considered later than ninety (90) days after receiving Design notice of disallowance. The Florida State Fair assumes total design control over the presentation of all exhibits. Entries designed for Premium Payments hanging and not so equipped will be hung in a manner Premium Awards will be paid according to the Judging deemed appropriate by the Fair. No exhibit changes Criteria Record Sheets, not according to the placement will be made once the entries have been displayed. ribbon attached to the entry. Sometimes placement Once an entry has been received by the Florida State ribbons may be attached to an entry through mistake, Fair, no further handling of entry by exhibitor shall be or may be misplaced, or lost. permitted. Relocation and final placement shall be accomplished by Florida State Fair personnel. Entries Substitution requiring assembly/disassembly must include detailed Substitutions changes if necessary, must be within the instructions and sketches for assembly/disassembly. same department by the original exhibitor. Substitutions Instructions should indicate lifting points, unsecured must be completed the last day of the entry delivery parts and any other information required for such period. The Florida State Fair or its judges may disqualify handling. Where necessary, bank pins will be utilized entries, or reclassify an entry to the correct class if it is to attach exhibits for display. not a true representative of the division or class in which it is entered. You cannot transfer your entry to another exhibitor.

2021 Florida State Fair OFFICE USE ONLY Exhibitor # Sewing Competition Entry Form Total Fee Paid YES NO Entry Forms must be postmarked by Sunday, February 28th, 2021. Type  Cash  MO  Check Failure to complete any portion of entry form may result in disqualification. Check No. Please print legibly

Exhibitors Name (First, Last)

Mailing Address County

City State Zip Code

Phone ( ) Email ssEntry Fee: Adult Division $3 per entry Exhibitors may enter up to eight (8) entries for judging, however there is no limit to the number of pieces per class.

# DIVISION # CLASS # Entered Item Description FEE

Total Amount Due $

I hereby certify that I have read the Florida State Fair General Rules for the Competitive Exhibits Program (Page 5) and the above item(s) is/are entered for exhibition strictly in accordance with these rules, by which I agree to be governed. I also agree that the Florida State Fair may use my name, likeness, or photograph (including, but not limited to photographs of my entry), in any manner relating to my participation in the Competitive Exhibits Program, free of charge and without further notice or consultation.

I understand that the 2021 Creative Living Competitions & Exhibits are held in conjunction with the 2021 Florida State Fair and agree that the Florida State Fair is not liable or responsible for any delay, change of dates or cancellation of the 2021 Florida State Fair due the following unforeseeable circumstances: (a) acts of God; (b) flood, fire, earthquake; or (c) other potential disaster(s) or catastrophe(s), such as epidemics, pandemics, or explosion.

Signature of exhibitor Date

Mail Entry Form to:

Creative Living Competition – Sewing Florida State Fair P.O. Box 11766 Make checks payable to: Florida State Fair Authority 6 Tampa, FL 33680