PUEBLO – The second annual Poetry Competition is returning to the Colorado State Fair after receiving two prestigious national awards.

During the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) annual convention, the Colorado State Fair took first place in the “Outstanding New or Unique Contest to Attract New Competitive Exhibitors” category. In 2017, a total of 49 entries were submitted from 21 exhibitors, 12 of which were new exhibitors.

“Our Fine Arts Exhibition has been a tremendous success and has brought amazing artwork from across the state onto the fairgrounds.  The poetry competition hopes to provide an opportunity for wordsmiths to do the same,” said Interim General Manager Chris Wiseman.

The fair welcomes original and unpublished writing. The deadline to enter is August 17, and entry fees are only $2. There are two age groups: 18 & older, and 17 & younger. Poetry enthusiasts can enter by visiting our website at www.coloradostatefair.com/events/2018/poetry or through the Fair’s General Entry office, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 719-404-2080. The competition will conclude with a reading during the Colorado State Fair to give winning poets and finalists the opportunity to share their work during “A Night to Recite” on August 30. The judge for this year’s competition is Assétou Xango, Aurora Poet Laureate.

During the IAFE convention, the Colorado State Fair also took 2nd place for “Miscellaneous Marketing/Promotional Display or Piece” for a car wrap that was given away.

The State Fair poetry competition also took top honors in January at the Western Fairs Association’s annual convention in Anaheim, California, along with several other winning programs:

·  First Place: New Exhibits – Competition

·  First Place: New Wellness Program

·  First Place: Printed Marketing Campaign

·  First Place: Give it your Best Shot: Animals

·  Second Place: Inspiring Collaboration

More information on each of the categories can be found at https://www.westernfairs.org/p.aspx?pID=convention/awards/achievementawards&#3

The Colorado State Fair runs August 24 - September 3. For more information, visit www.coloradostatefair.com.