2024 VAF Media Awards

TO:

VAF Fair Members We hope you are having a wonderful fair season. Each year VAF recognizes the efforts that goes into promoting your fair to the community. Judges review the item you submit under various categories and rate them based on how the ‘message’ is communicated. You may register to participate in the 2024 Fair Year Media Awards by completing the online entry form. Fairs that complete the entry form will also have their websites reviewed for award consideration. Digital entries will be accepted this year and are to be sent to VAFMediaAwards@gmail.com Physical entries will be accepted on Thursday evening and Friday morning (NLT 9am). Specific times for drop-off will be announced.

Judging Information:

Fairs will be split into divisions based on their 2024 attendance. Ribbons will be awarded for First through Third Place for each category within each division. Entries will be judged (using a 1-to-20-point system where 1 is poor and 20 is excellent) Judges’ remarks concerning your fair entries will be available after judging. All Judges Decisions will be FINAL. The Overall Winners will be determined based on total points.

Creativity Award – Originality of thought or expression, new, different, unique in design. Indicative of creative excellence and attention to detail. Entry should excite or interest you and have visual appeal, color harmony, and visual impact. Entry is overall memorable. All classes will receive a separate score on Creativity.

Descriptions:

Fair Program – a pamphlet or booklet that contains information such as the schedule, map, entertainment, sponsors, etc.

Poster / Flyer - “a printed picture and / or information about your fair, used for decoration or advertisement”. Posters and flyers come in many sizes and include a multitude of information. Most are color and some are black and white.

Newsletter - “a printed report or letter that contains news of interest to a specific group”. Entry may be a printed copy or an electronic or standard newsletter produced by your fair. The content must be of interest to your guests, exhibitors, sponsors or general public.

Theme - “a distinct, recurring, and unifying quality or idea”. Fairs will submit a creative display depicting their theme. Entry MUST include the theme (either spelled out on a banner, on items included in display or a written description). Entry can include promotional items, photographs, stuffed animals, toy tractors, etc. Photographs may be submitted for larger themed items. Display may not exceed 3’X 3’. Duplication of entry items will be permitted. A single page written description is allowed to accompany your display.

Logo - “a graphic representation or symbol of a company name, trademark, abbreviation, etc., often uniquely designed for ready recognition”. We will accept a printed copy of your fair or theme logo. Entry MUST be a single sheet no larger than 8 1⁄2” X 11”. Logo may be printed in either color or black & white.

Social media – (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, etc.) Submit your top posts from each of the platforms you use and to assist other fairs, tell us your results and share your

statistics with us. And don’t forget to share the link or you may submit a paper copy.

Commercial Streaming /Television Advertisement - “a public announcement on a local or national television station or steaming platforms. This is an advertisement you paid for or that was

donated by the television station. You must write, with a sharpie pen, on the front of the DVD itself or flash drive, the fair name and who created or you may submit via email stated on the entry form. There will be a 3-minute maximum time limit on your ad.

Radio Advertisement – “a public announcement on a local or national radio station”. This is an advertisement you paid for or that was donated by the radio station. You must write, with a

sharpie pen, on the front of the CD itself, the fair name and radio station or you may submit via email stated on the entry form. There will be a 3-minute maximum time limit on your

Magazine/Newspaper Advertisement - “a public announcement in a magazine not produced by your fair”. This is an advertisement you paid for or that was donated by the magazine. Affix a

label on the front cover of the magazine with your fair name and the page number where the ad appears within the magazine. This can be a national or local magazine. The magazine publication

date MUST be the current year. No proofs, slicks or photocopies will be allowed.

Promotional Merchandise/T-shirts/Polo Shirts - “items that publicly promote something such as an organization or event in order to attract or increase interest in it”. Your fair may submit

items that promote your fair. Space is limited to a 3’ X 3’ space – no height limitation if it is a reasonable height. Duplicate items from other class are permitted. Items may include t-shirts, flashlights, hats, USB adapters, fans, etc.

Fair Scrapbook - “a blank book or album for pasting in photos, pictures, cuttings, or other material”. It may contain photographs, newspaper clippings, entry passes, flyers, etc. You may include items from cut up posters, flyers, etc. You may include parts of your website, magazine articles, advertisements, other promotional items, etc. Stickers, die cuts, ribbon, etc. may be used to embellish your scrapbook. Scrapbooks come in many sizes and binding types. We will accept any type of binding. Duplicate items from other classes may be used. The cover may be decorated in any way and must display the fair name and year. Photos may be either color or black & white or a combination of both.

Photo Essay Board – “an analytic, descriptive board of photos dealing with a specific topic”. Photos on the board may be captioned and should depict different events that tell the story of your fair. These do NOT and should not be professional photos. Your board may be decorated in any number of ways. The fair name and year MUST appear on the board. Photos may be color or black & white or a combination of each. It is understood by the judge that many of the photos are “snapshots” and not the work of a professional photographer.

Pageant Scrapbook - “a blank book or album for pasting in photos, pictures, cuttings, or other material”. This scrapbook is all about the Pageants and Queens at your fair. It may include contestants, pre-pageant info, pageant photos, advertisements, appearances, and events that your queens attended or organized, etc. It may contain photographs, newspaper clippings, etc. You may include parts of your website, magazine articles, advertisements, and other promotional items. Stickers, die cuts, ribbon, etc. may be used to embellish your scrapbook. The cover may be decorated in any way and must display the fair name and year. Duplication of entry items from other classes will be permitted.

Pageant Program – a pamphlet or booklet that contains information such about your pageant. May include contestants, past winners, judging criteria, sponsors, etc.

Premium Book - “a listing or description of a series of related events and items”. - Should contain information about your fair events, contests, entertainment, premium awards, classes, etc. It may also include photographs, advertisements, sponsors, etc. We give bonus points when VAF and IAFE logos and directors are included in your premium book / catalogue. In the event your Premium Book / Catalogue is mass mailed in a newspaper it can also be entered in the Tabloid class. The book may be either black and white or color.