2026 PA FAIR QUEEN STATE COMPETITION

The state competition for selecting the 2026 PA Fair Queen will be a 3-day event commencing Thursday, January 22 and culminating with the Coronation banquet and ceremony on Saturday, January 24, 2026.  The PA Fair Queen State Competition is held in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs (PSACF) and Pennsylvania Showmen's Association (PSSA) convention events.

All PA Fair Queen competition events will be held at the

Hershey Lodge and Convention Center
325 University Drive, Hershey, PA  17033      Driving Directions
Phone:  717-533-3311

Link to PA State Association of County Fairs' Convention website 

• General Hotel Accommodations (for non-contestants;  see below for special Contestant Room Block)

• PSACF Convention Registration (everyone)

2026 APPLICATION PROCESS

STEP ONE:  CONTESTANT HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Hotel Reservations - Deadline October 15

CONTESTANTS:  A block of rooms has been set aside at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center for the Contestants at the convention rate.  

Reserving the Contestant's room is the responsibility of the Fair or Contestant's family. The PA Fair Queen Program is NOT responsible for reservations or payment for any hotel accommodations.
NOTE:  If you do NOT want the Contestant's Room to be in the Contestant Room Block, then follow the instructions below for "All Other Guests".

DEADLINE for Contestant Room Block reservations is October 15, 2025.
After October 15, the Lodge reserves the right to release any unused rooms in the block to other hotel guests.   

DOWNLOAD the 2026 Contestant Room Block ROOM RESERVATION FORM.

• Deadline:  October 15 to secure a room in the Contestant Room Block

• Download the form to your computer - "Save As" and name the file for your fair queen contestant.  Complete the form after you have saved it to your computer!

• Email the completed form saved to your computer directly to Hershey Lodge - Michelle Maxwell - mamaxwell@hersheypa.com 

• Receive a Confirmation Number via email from Hershey Lodge (usually within 72 hours)

• Call the Hershey Lodge Reservation Toll-Free Line to add a Credit Card to that confirmed reservation. 
  855-729-3108   NOTE:  NO advanced deposit will be charged.  The only time the card will be charged is at the time of check-in or if the room is not canceled by the deadline.

• Room cancellation date is no later than January 14, 2026 or the hotel will charge for one-night's stay.

A contestant's room will NOT be guaranteed without a confirmation from the Hotel and a credit card number on file. 

The room costs are NOT included in the $125 Contestant Fee. 

ALL OTHER GUESTS:  

All Contestants, parents, chaperones, and fair members are responsible for their own hotel accommodations. 

The PA Fair Queen Program is NOT responsible for reservations or payment for any hotel accommodations.

The General Convention Hotel Room Block for non-contestants is now OPEN.
Instructions are available on PSACF's website.
Reservations must be made by phone.  There is NO online reservation option.
Reservations will close when the open block is filled.  It is recommended to book early!
Note the room cancellation date is no later than January 14, 2026.  

STEP TWO:  CONTESTANT APPLICATION
DEADLINE TO APPLY:  November 15, 11:59 PM

• DOWNLOAD and READ the 2026 APPLICATION PACKET for step-by-step instructions on how to apply for the PA State Fair Queen competition.

• Download the following forms to your computer - "Save As" and name the file for your fair queen contestant.  Complete the form after you have saved it to your computer!

  • • 01-CERTIFICATION FORM

    • 02-RESUME FORM

• Prepare the other Application Items (refer to the Application Packet for instructions)

  • • Short Biography

    • Contestant Photo

    • Essay    (Note the A.I. Use Policy in the Application Packet)

• Go online to the 2026 PA State Fair Queen Contest Application
  (Application must be submitted online) 

  • • LINK:  https://forms.gle/N5fKAFzBxX8pn2LB9 

    • Deadline:  November 15, 2025; 11:59 pm

    • Complete the application and upload the required contest documents 

• Download the PSACF Convention Registration Form (includes an Instruction Sheet; can be filled out on the computer)

  • • Deadline:  December 15, 2025

    • Queen Contestant Fee:  $125.00 made payable to "PSACF Convention Account"

Every person who wants to attend any of the Convention, Queen and/or Banquet events
    MUST be registered with PSACF.  This includes the Queen Contestants.  The Contest Application only
    signs up the Contestant to compete.  

Submit the form directly to PSACF, with all payments, to register the Contestant ($125 contest fee payable to
    "PSACF Convention Account") and register any of her personal guests.

STEP THREE:  CONTESTANT HANDBOOK and SUPPLEMENTAL HANDBOOK 

Once a Contestant is verified by the PA State Fair Queen Contest Committee has having met all the criteria and having correctly submitted all application documents, the Contestant will receive an Official Contestant Handbook and Supplemental Handbook in December.

Contestants and Coordinators are encouraged to download, print and review both documents. 
It is also highly recommended to bring copies to the competition.  There will be NO PRINTED copies available at the competition.

1. Contestant Handbook 2026 (PENDING)

2. Contestant Supplemental Handbook 2026 (PENDING)

The Handbook is designed to give a detailed look at the Contest schedule, judging processes, requirements and expectations.  

The separate Supplemental Handbook provides important forms and information including: 

• Contestant's Individual Schedule, 

• Packing Checklist, 

• Scoring Criteria, 

• Driving Directions, 

• Hershey Lodge venue map,

• Commemorative Item Order Form,

• Medical Release Form   *must be turned in when checking in for Orientation on Thursday January 22

EVENT SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Thursday, January 22 

10:30 am – Deadline for submitting Queen Scrapbook

               (Trade Show Communications Area; optional)

Noon – 4:00 pm Fundraising Table (benefits Queen Program)

2:45 pm Orientation Check-in opens – bring $25 Dining Gift Card

3:15 pm Contestant Orientation begins

6:15 pm Judging: Stage Introduction

                           (Professional Business Attire)

                           (before the PSACF Annual Banquet; line up before 6 pm)

Group Photo (immediately after the PSACF Banquet)

Friday, January 23        

7:00 am – 5:00 pm Judging:  Personal Interviews

10:00 am – 4:00 pm Raffle Table (benefits Queen Program)

11:00 am or 2:15 pm - Leadership Seminar

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm – Round Table (Coordinators only)

5:30 pm - Judges’ Reception with Contestants

7:00 pm - Contestant Pizza Party with
              2025 PA Fair Queen Ava Immel
 

Saturday, January 24   

7:30 am – 3:00 pm Judging: Speech Presentations

9:00 am – 12:45 pm – Raffle Table (benefits Queen Program)

10:00 am – 11:00 am – Seminar (Coordinators & Contestants)

4:30 pm - Coronation Rehearsal for Contestants

6:00 pm - Coronation Banquet

7:30 pm - Crowning Ceremony

For Questions or More Information, contact:

Karen Dobson

610-212-6180 c

kardob@msn.com