SACRAMENTO – The California State Fair, which takes place July 13 to 29, is looking for Golden State residents with hidden talents.

The California State Fair Competitions showcase the best of the best. All California residents are encouraged to enter.

Whether a budding artist or a seasoned baker, there is a category designed for any hobbyist or enthusiasts in the California State Fair Competitions.

The competitions which are open are:

– Photography;
– Student showcase;
– Fine arts;
– Crafts;
– Canning and baking;
– Youth canning and baking.

Up next are the animal and livestock competitions. These competitions are always a highlight at the California State Fair.

Hundreds of exhibitors are given the opportunity to showcase their hard work and what they have learned through their livestock and animal projects.

The competitions that will be opening in April include:

– Junior livestock;
– Open livestock;
– Fur and feathers;
– County fair best of show.

In the professional competition categories, commercial cheese and commercial craft beer will be open on April 2.

The guidelines for the competitions are posted here.

For the commercial cheese competition, awards will be given to the top finishers in each division and class, such as soft cheese, hard cheese and california original.

The California State Fair will award Best of California and Best of Show for cow milk and other milk types which include goat and sheep. The Best of Show and category winners are featured in the Best of California Magazine and showcased at the California State Fair.

For the commercial craft beer, the third largest in the country, the California State Fair awards top honors for categories in lager, wheat, Belgian ale and stouts among others.

The best of show and brewery of the year are recognized at the annual, high profile press event on the steps of the State Capitol. In addition, selected commercial beer winners are invited to pour at the exclusive Best of California Tasting event at Cal Expo on June 21.