Are you wondering where you can find competitions for the latest photo assignment? Here’s some ideas focusing around people competitions at local fairs and festivals. This time of year is popular for county and state fairs and festivals. Around my area this weekend are a half dozen festivals scheduled. Many of these events have competitions of all sorts.

A dairy cow seems to be saying, "Pick Me!", during a competition class at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 1600, EV +0.3, 200mm focal length.
Livestock competitions at fairs will have not only great people expressions but the animals have their own personalities. Makes for very compelling photos.

A judge looking over entries for a youth pumpkin decorating contest at the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest in Cortland, New York. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/200s, f/7.1, ISO 200, EV -0.7, 18mm focal length.
Autumn in upstate New York has many seasonal festivals like the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest with its annual youth pumpkin decorating contest. For the farmers and gardeners, there is a biggest pumpkin contest.

A boy looks up from his pie eating to check on his competitors at the Golden Harvest Festival in Baldwinsville, New York. Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/200s, f/9, ISO 400, EV -0.3, 200mm focal length.
Looking for excitement and kids having a good time? Look for kid events at a fair or festival. Talent and eating contests make for great photos!
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Thanks for the ideas – hoping to put them to use this Sunday! I haven’t been to a certain little ol’ fair they have in these parts in about 10 years; I think I may need to clear a memory card for the occasion!
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I was thinking about this competition and darn if you didn’t already find so many of my thoughts! Great shots! This should be fun.
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harhar:0 That boy shot is awesome.
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What a photogenic cow and what a great idea for a photo assignment! Hopefully I’ll be able to find something appropriate here in Cow Bay 🙂
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I almost want to set up a pie eating contest, just so I can see kids looking just like that
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There were adult pie eating contests, too. Just as much fun to photograph.
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I love the pic of the boy eating that pie! Amazing! Don’t know if I’ll play just now, but it sounds like a fun assignment. 🙂
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No contests in the UP, Kathy? I bet there are some fun festivals this time of year.
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Scott, no contests this time of year. All of them end in August. Everybody here is waiting for snow.
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Lol, love the pie eating contest. 🙂
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Most adorable boy and what a great portrait !
Would an “air show” be considered as a competition ? We had one recently in our area. I tried to take some pictures from higher up in the mountains but the planes look like little birds or bugs ;( The noise was deafening though !
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Did they have any races? Where the planes being judged? Doesn’t sound like you got anything good if the planes were there small in the images.
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