2025 Theme: Soundside Soirée

Bring the beauty of our local landscape to your table with fresh, flavorful fare and coastal charm.

 

1st Place - $100 and Rosette

2nd Place - $50 and Rosette

3rd Place - $25 and Rosette

All entries receive a participation ribbon.

 

Pre-Registration is required. Registration fee is $10 and competition is limited to 10 contestants. Contestants may not register for multiple tables. Register at sdetiquette.com/tablesetting

 

Set-up will be the afternoon of Monday, September 22. You will be notified of the set-up time prior to the fair. Judging will occur immediately after set-up. Judging results, judges’ comments, and all entries will remain on public display throughout the fair. Pick up time will be Sunday, September 28 from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm. Monetary prizes will also be awarded at this time.

 

JUDGING CRITERIA:

25% Adherence to theme (2025 theme is “Soundside Soirée”)

25% Creativity and originality

25% Visual appeal

25% Correctness of place setting

 

Contest is open to all age groups and will be judged in a single division. Competitors will each be provided a 34” square and 28” high card table upon which two place settings, a centerpiece, and any other décor must be displayed. A black floor length cloth will be on all tables to serve as a “blank slate” but competitors must bring a table covering to go on top of this. Due to space limitations, there will be no chairs at the tables.

 

Place settings may be formal or informal but must have a minimum of three courses.

 

No food items, disposable place settings, paper tablecloths, or paper napkins. Due to the length of time the tables will be displayed fresh flowers are not allowed. Pumpkins, gourds, greenery, succulents, and dried flowers are welcome. Fair staff cannot maintain battery operated accessories. If used, these items will not be replaced. Candles, if used, may not be lit. All décor must be self-supporting and cannot be adhered to a wall.

 

Menus are highly encouraged. If used, they should be easy to read and correspond with the theme. Settings must correspond with the menu (example: if your menu states you are serving a soup, salad, and entrée then your place setting must include a soup spoon, salad fork and knife, and entrée fork and knife). Centerpieces may be scaled for a larger table.

 

Although every effort will be made to protect the exhibits, neither Chowan County Regional Fair nor Sydney Dunn assumes responsibility for loss, damage, or theft.

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Formal Place Setting Example and Tips