Exhibit Building

The Exhibit Building at the Mecosta County Free Fair is the vibrant heart of creativity and community talent, where participants of all ages showcase their skills, handmade creations, artwork, and more during the fair week (July 13th through July 18th in Big Rapids, MI).

Open daily from 10 am to 9 pm, this welcoming space invites everyone to enter competitive still exhibits across diverse categories including Culinary Arts, Creative Crafts, Needlework, Fine Arts, Photography, Agriculture & Horticulture, Floriculture, and special sections like Youth Science, Technology & Education, Pet Project, and even adult and youth Homemaker of the Year.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate personal achievements, connect with fellow makers, and enjoy the pride of displaying your work for fairgoers to admire and judges to evaluate. Check the full Exhibit Building Information Book for entry details, deadlines, and rules to get involved!!!!!

Anyone can exhibit! (Age as of July 1, 2026)

• Cloverbuds: Age 5-7 years
• Open Youth: Age 8-19 years
• Open Adult: Age 20+ years
• Any Age: Differently abled

What can I enter?
Categories Include:

• Agriculture & Horticulture
• Creative Crafts
• Culinary Arts
• Needlework
• Fine Arts
• Floriculture
• Photography
• Pet Project
• Youth Science, Technology & Education
• Homemaker of the Year

Early Registration (faster, easier process, strongly encouraged!!)

• June 29th – July 2nd }10:00am – 4:00pm | MSU Extension office

• Turn in registration forms (and non-perishable items) to the MSU Extension office or email registration form to ripkekar@msu.edu by 4:00 pm, Thursday July 2nd or enter your still exhibit entries via the Fair Entry system.

Fair Week Registration:

• Saturday, July 11th (8am-11am) Exhibit building check-in
• Turn in registration form and exhibit items at the fairground still exhibit building

Youth Culinary Arts Auction:

• Saturday, July 11th 6-8pm
• 5:30-6pm: Buyer Registration