So there we were at the State Fair one year.
We love to go down to the capital to watch the dog jumping, eat some of the best ice cream cones on the planet, try to tip some cows, and wander around looking at all the wonders. At the time of our story, I think we were on our way from the children’s art exhibit to the goat barn, when we came across …
The Tablescape Competition!
Who knew that even existed!?! I was entranced! My husband had to leave me there and go see not only the goats, but the rabbits, chickens, and ducks on his own, because I wasn’t budging. I studied every tiny little detail. I read every word of description, every remark by the judges. On every table.
There were lots of rules, and the judges were severe. Nevertheless, I vowed I would enter the tablescape competition the next year. All my linens would be pressed, all my pinks would match, all my chargers would be exactly one inch from the edge of the table!
My husband finally coaxed me away. But visions of creative and beautiful table settings were still dancing in my head weeks later.
And the Rest is History!
This month will be my 4th tablescape competition in 5 years. (Although I did have a table planned for the year I didn’t enter.) Each year is different, and each year I learn something new. Mostly, I’m so amazed and inspired by the creativity of my fellow tablescapers.
I usually spend several months preparing. I set up my card table, and mess around with ideas from April through August. Also I take about a zillion pictures so I can brood over them when I’m not actually at the table.
However, this year I had other things going on, and totally lost track of time! I realized the other day that setup was in less than 3 weeks! Additionally, I only had a vague idea what I wanted to do, and had only sourced one thing. We’ll see if I can put together a table I like, in two weeks instead of two months! But more on this year’s table in another post.
The Tablescape Competition Process
For now, here’s a quick rundown of what planning for a tablescape competition is like. Not all state Fairs have tablescape competitions, and those that do likely have different rules and protocols. But the concept is the same. I’ll tell you about Oregon’s, and I’d love to hear about your state’s in the Comments.
Choose Your Category & Register
Around the middle of April, the Fair people issue the rules and categories for the coming competition. Our Fair is the 11 days running up to and including Labor Day. So that gives us 4 months to prepare.
We have an Adult Division and a Youth Division. And within the Division they have classes, which are themes you need to use for your tablescape. There’s only one class where you have to follow the American Standard Table Setting rules.
Of course, I always choose that one! Fortunately, they do have a handbook, listing all the rules! You need to choose your category and class, and register as soon as possible. They only allow 24 tables, and it fills up fast.
Understand the Rules
It’s really important to understand the tablescape competition rules before you get started. Some are explicitly stated. But some unfortunately, are not quite as easy to suss out. For instance, one time a fellow tablescaper had a fabulous cardboard cutout of James Bond that was supposed to preside over the table. But she couldn’t use it because it had to stand on the floor!
I had the same thing happen the year before, when I wanted to put a stand next to the table to hold the description. Nope! That little oversight made a reasonably large difference in my table. And no ribbon that year.
Here are just a few of the rules that we have to follow in the Oregon tablescape competition:
- 36″ x 36″ max tabletop size
- Exactly 2 place settings
- No real food, liquids, or florals
- Must use place cards
- Menu must be easily read by visitors (oops!)
- No disposable tableware
- All decorations must be ON the table (this one was clarified after the mishap above!)
Choose Your Sub-Theme
As I mentioned, I always learn something at the tablescape competition. Either about decorating, or about the competition itself. For instance, the fact that you had to choose a sub-theme passed me by on my first entry. I just did a table for the “Elegant & Formal Circa 1900” class. I didn’t realize you had to come up with a secondary theme too, like “Elegant & Formal Picnic in the Park Circa 1900″ or something.
One year my sub-theme was kind of two-or three-fold. It started out as a New Year’s Eve setting, with bells for a “Ring in the New Year” sub-theme. But then I found some totally amazing silver leopard fabric that I absolutely HAD to use as a table skirt.
So I added the element of a benefit for The Snow Leopard Trust. (Which is a real organization, btw, and does amazing work to protect snow leopards.) Besides the leopard print skirt, I had white snow leopard cut outs on the bells for place cards. That many sub-themes might have been a bit of overkill, but I sure had fun with it!
Our judges like to have a little story or description that goes along with your table setting. If you can think that up at the beginning, it helps with the next steps.
Plan Your Tablescape
As opposed to having the table plan all defined before I start, I usually work it out as I go. It is good to have a general idea though, so you know what you’re looking for if you happen to find yourself at Good Will.
And speaking of Good Will, that’s a great place to find pieces for your table. But even before the thrift shops, it’s great to start with your own home! Most of us have so many things that would be perfect to use. Some years I hardly have to buy anything.
For example, my first year, my grandfather’s white and gold china was exactly what I wanted. However, it’s virtually irreplaceable, and I was afraid a goat or rooster or someone might get out and charge the table! I did end up using a few pieces from that set, and just crossed my fingers. Of course, not a single goat got out, and everything was fine!
Plan Your Menu
I usually plan the menu after I come up with my table setting, because I want my table to look the way I want it to look. So I fit the meal to the pieces that are on the table. But you could do it the other way around – whatever works best.
Planning the menu is super fun. As you might imagine, I have different wines with each of my courses.
One year I did a Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers table. I named each of the dishes after one of their movies or dances. I thought it was pretty funny, but the joke might have been lost on most visitors. I overheard one person ask who Fred & Ginger were! (And if you don’t know, they were famous, elegant moviestar dancers in the 30s.)
And I always try to have courses I’d actually like to eat. I’ve always threatened to have a dinner party using my State Fair table setting and menu, but I haven’t done it yet. Someday!
Set the Table
And finally, be sure you actually set your entire table, exactly the way you’ll do it in the competition. Take it apart and put it back together a couple times. You’d be surprised how tricky it might be! Sometimes you have something worked out in your mind, only to find it doesn’t work in real life.
And don’t forget about dusting and ironing! A stray wrinkle or fingerprint could spell disaster! You also have to haul all the pieces down to the Fair site, and keep them safe and clean during the trip. So plan for proper packing and transportation. Since you only have a limited time to set up, it’s very good to have practiced.
That’s All For Now!
Wow – I guess I had a lot to say about planning for a tablescape competition! I can’t wait to share the setup process, and this year’s table! They’ll be coming up in future posts!
Have you ever done a competition like this? If so, what tips and adventures have you had? And if not, what do you think? Let me know in the Comments – I love to hear from you! Thanks so much for being here!
This Post Shared With
- Tablescape Thursday #586 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Style Showcase 94 – Hosted by Designthusiasm
- Tablescape Thursday #662 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 08.20.20 – Hosted by Katherine’s Corner
- Tablescape Thursday 06.09.22 – Hosted by Between Naps on the Porch
- Thursday Favorite Things 06.09.22 – Hosted by Follow the Yellow Brick Home
- Fabulous Friday 06.10.22 – Hosted by Living Large in a Small House
- Tuesday Turn About 08.30.22 – Hosted by My Wee Abode
- Tablescape Thursday 07.25.24 – Hosted Between Naps on the Porch
I hope you win this year too Barbara and I can’t wait to see your table!!
Thanks Kim! You sure you don’t want to be a judge … !?! 🤣
Sending good wishes and hope you win again for this year!
Thanks so much Pam! Fingers crossed! 😊🤞🏽
I can’t wait to see what you come up with this year. Good luck to you, my friend. HUgs to you.
Hi Renae! It’s always a fun time – thanks for following along! Hope you’re enjoying our lovely sun! 😊
Barbara, this is just so cool! What gorgeous tables! Wow! I knew that you won first prize before but I didn’t realize that it was more than that. Are you entering this year? So well done my friend!
Hi Kim! Yes, I’m going to enter again this year. Registration opens on the 15th, so I’ll be standing by with my clicking finger poised over the mouse right from the gun! 🤣 It’s just so much fun, and you know what a rule-follower I am! Do you have anything like that in AB? You should do it too, then we could compare as we create the plans. 🙂 Happy Friday! Hope you have a lovely weekend!
Ha! I can’t wait to see what your table looks like and I’m sure it will be fabulous! I’ve never heard of anything like this in AB and a quick Google seems to suggest only in the U.S., which is too bad because I’d be sooo tempted to enter – just for the fun of it. Good luck with the registration and I hope you have a lovely weekend yourself!
💛!!
Ok, you have completely elevated my opinion of your table setting skills, which is hard to do because I think you are amazing. Wow! Who knew? Truly, I have never heard of a competition like this. I should check our State fair, but I only think they have the animals and lots of greasy food. I didn’t see you mention how many ribbons you have won???? Such a great post and I’m glad you linked back to this because in 2017 my life was without you! Hard to believe!
HA! I Know – it IS hard to believe! 😉 I was really surprised to find out that ours had more than my other favorite things – ice cream cones, Extreme Air Dogs, and kids’ art! Maybe your state or county fair has a tablescape section. If so, you should definitely enter or at least go see it – the whole thing is really a scream! (I might have gotten a ribbon or two!) 🙂 SO glad you’re now privy to one of my favorite funny things!
Thank you so much for your submission today. I love it and can’t stop scrolling through it over and over. A good friend of mine and I enter the tablescaping competition in two fairs and year here in our part of California and love the whole experience from start to finish. Sad to say because of Covid 19 this year both fairs have been cancelled. We have hardly known what to do with ourselves for the last six months. We missed the study, the prep and everything involved. Again, thank you for your submission today and I know what I will be doing for the rest of the day/week… scrolling and rescroling.
Marilyn! How sweet of you to stop by and comment! I’m right there with you! Planning my table entry usually fills most of my summer and I’m a little adrift without it! I’d love to see some of the tables you’ve set – I’m hopping over to your blog now! 🙂 Thanks again for stopping by!
My tables pale in reply to yours. I will see if I can’t gather a few of my photos together and figure out how to send them your direction. I’m not very techy and that’s why I kind of had to give up my blog that was called mulberries and lace. Maybe you could go to the remains of that blog and see some of my things.
Marilyn I found your blog – so fun!! I know – the tech stuff can be really challenging! But your tables were lovely! 💗
It’s my first time visiting, and I must say that it was an enjoyable experience. I didn’t know those types of events existed. Congratulations on winning !st. Place! A win is a win. and you should be very proud. Looking forward for more tips in the future.
Hi Edmee – I’m so glad you stopped by and enjoyed yourself! 💗 I know – I didn’t know anything about these competitions either, but now I’m hooked! 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful evening. Thanks so much, and see you soon!
Where was your competition? Beautifully done.
Thanks so much Tyler! It was in Salem, OR at the Oregon State Fair – such a fun time! 🙂 Thanks so much for popping in!
Oh, my, I never knew there were such things as tablescape competitions! I’m sure each table entered would be swoon-worthy! It was fascinating to see the judges’ comments. They are some of the things I think about when designing my tables, but I certainly take more liberties! Thanks for sharing the process.
I know – who would have thought?! 🙂 Most of us never need to get so picky in real life. Table settings are much more casual and friendly these days. And fascinating is a perfect word – it’s exactly what I am with this whole process. Thanks so much for stopping by Sandra. I’m going to head over and see some of your tables now! 💗
Such a fun post to read, Barbara. The tablescape competition at our fair is by far my favorite of all! This helped me understand the competition even more! And, who in the HECK doesn’t know who Fred and Ginger are? Shame on their parents for not sharing classic culture with them! LOL!
Ha! You and I are obviously from the same movie-watching generation, Julie! 🙂 So glad you liked the post. If you enter your fair next year, we can compare our strategies! 💗
What a cool competitionBarbara! I have never seen anything like that in NOVA, I wonder if Virginia has such a competition. Did I see that you won FIRST PLACE??? WOW! Congratulations! You skirted over that little tidbit of info!! Luckily my keen eye picked up on it..way to go my friend 🙂
Ha! You do have a keen eye! 😉 I did win first place one year, but I might have been the only person in my category, so I don’t crow too loudly! It would be so cool if you had one in your state – it’s such a fun thing to do!💗 Happy Wednesday over there!
You should crow very loudly! In fact, you should have titled the post “I won state championship for table decorating”!!! I love it!! way to go!
HA! Well if I win this year maybe I’ll write a post and use your title!! 🤣
It’s a deal!
Well better late than never I sometimes say! Oh dear, I’m almost a year late in answering your comment! Plus I didn’t use your title on my competition post! I guess I owe you a drink when we can finally meet up in person! 😉 Hope you had a lovely 4th my friend! 💗
We should create one in Virginia!
You totally should then we could compare notes! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Sabra – I just took a peek at your lovely website! I’m going to pay you a long visit soon! 💗