Every August, the exhibit halls at the Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair fill with quilts, photographs, canned goods, artwork, flowers, and prize-winning Hearts of Gold cantaloupes entered by exhibitors from across Nevada. Many entries represent months of work before they reach the exhibit hall.
Amateur exhibitors of all ages can compete in dozens of categories, from photography and fine arts to sewing, knitting, food preservation, gardening, and flowers. The festival's 2026 premium booklet includes entry requirements, judging information, and exhibit rules.
Nevada residents may enter work completed within the past year, provided it meets the requirements for its department. Youth exhibitors compete in Peewee, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions based on age.
Exhibits are judged using the Danish Judging System, which evaluates each entry against established standards rather than against other exhibitors. More than one blue ribbon may be awarded in a class if multiple entries meet those standards. Visitors also vote for People's Choice Awards during the festival.
Among the festival's best-known competitions is the Special Cantaloupe Growing Contest. Growers may enter Hearts of Gold cantaloupes in categories recognizing the largest, roundest, most unusual, and ugliest melons. Participants may also receive complimentary seeds through the festival and share photographs of their progress throughout the growing season using #TheColossalCantaloupe.
Visitors can browse exhibits ranging from heirloom recipes and handcrafted quilts to original artwork, flowers, preserved foods, and locally grown produce.
The 41st annual Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair will be held Aug. 28-30 at the Rafter 3C Event Complex. Premium booklets are available through the Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair.
Five Ways to Join the Competition
- Photography: Landscape, wildlife, portrait, and creative photography classes are open to amateur exhibitors.
- Home Arts: Quilts, sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery, woodworking, and other handcrafted projects have their own divisions.
- Food Preservation: Home-canned fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, pickles, and other preserved foods are judged in multiple categories.
- Flowers and Gardens: Exhibitors may enter fresh-cut flowers, floral arrangements, fruits, vegetables, and other garden produce.
- Special Cantaloupe Growing Contest: Growers compete for awards recognizing the largest, roundest, most unusual, and ugliest Hearts of Gold cantaloupes.
Thinking About Entering?
The 2026 Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair Premium Booklet includes complete competition rules, exhibit classes, judging information, entry requirements, and department-specific instructions for exhibitors.
Premium booklets are available through the Fallon Cantaloupe Festival & Country Fair.
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