SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California State Fair has won numerous awards from the International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE) at their annual convention held in Las Vegas in November.

Judging of the awards is conducted by division, based on fair attendance, and by category.  With an annual attendance well over 500,000, the California State Fair competes against the nation’s largest fairs.

“We’re ecstatic to have received so many awards this year,” said Norbert J. Bartosik, State Fair chief executive officer and general manager. “These accolades validate the work we do and help energize us to do bigger and better things in 2013.”

Each year, the IAFE solicits entries for their awards programs in the areas of Agricultural Education and Communications. The California State Fair won the following awards for the themed 2012 State Fair “FUN THAT MOVES YOU!”

2012 IAFE Agricultural Awards Program Sponsored by John Deere:

• Best of Division: “Sun-Maid - 100 Years of Fruit and Sunshine” exhibit - First
• Newly Established or Developed at Fair: “My First Ride” - First
• Fair & Sponsor/Partner Joint Exhibit Program “Sun-Maid - 100 Years of Fruit and Sunshine” - First
• Interactive Competitive Exhibit Contest "United State Postal Service Cook-off" - Second

2012  IAFE Hall of Honor Communications Awards:      

• Best Web Ads - First
• Best Point of Purchase Display - First
• Best Ad Campaign - Second
• Best Multiple Billboard Series - Second
• Best Magazine Ad - Second
• Best Non-Traditional Ad Effort - Second
• Best E-newsletter - Second
• Best Single Outdoor Ad - Third
• Best Brochure – Third

The 2013 California State Fair will run July 12-28.  

For more information, please visit the State Fair website at www.bigfun.org .