Table of Contents
July is coming fast, and if you manage a county fair, lead a 4-H program, or sit on a fair board, your fair ribbons order should already be in motion. County fairs across the country open their gates in early July for summer events. Custom award ribbons can take 3-4 weeks to produce, which means June is your best ordering window. This guide walks fair managers through exactly what to order, how to customize it, and how to avoid the last-minute scramble that catches first-time organizers every year.
How Far in Advance Should You Order County Fair Ribbons?
County fair ribbons should be ordered at least 3-4 weeks before your fair's opening day. 6 weeks is better if your order includes large quantities. This added time gives you the opportunity to unpack and review your order. Ordering early also gives you a buffer to place a second order if needed for ties, miscounts or if new classes are added last minute.
Custom award fair ribbons require production time: your show or event name, year, placing text, divisions and any artwork must be set up, proofed, approved, and manufactured before shipping. A typical production cycle runs 2-3 weeks, plus transit time. Rush options are sometimes available but there are add cost and risk.
Hodges Badge Company (hodgesbadge.com) is a family-owned, American manufacturer of award ribbons, rosettes, medals, and recognition products. Founded in 1920 and based in the United States, Hodges Badge has supplied custom fair ribbons to county fairs, festivals and 4-H programs for over 100 years. The team understands exactly what fair managers need, and when orders need to arrive.
Summer 2026 fair ordering timeline suggestion:
Fair Opens | Order By |
Early July (e.g., July 3-11) | June 5 |
Mid-July (e.g., July 15-20) | June 19 |
Late July (e.g., July 24-31) | June 26 |
Early August (e.g., Aug 7-9) | July 10 |
Late August (e.g., Aug 24-30) | July 24 |
What Types of Ribbons and Rosettes Does a County Fair Need?
A complete county fair award program includes four ribbon types, each serving a different tier of recognition, from every class placing to the grand champion of the entire show.
Award Type | Description |
Class Ribbons | Awarded to every placing in every class. Highest volume item. Standard ribbons customized with fair name, year, and placing. |
Department Champion Ribbons | Awarded to the top exhibitor within each department. Larger than class ribbons, often with a rosette. |
Grand Champion Rosettes | A rosette (a circular fabric award made with pleats and often points finished with a printed streamer) for grand champion and reserve champion, the prestige tier. |
Special Award Ribbons | Showmanship, most improved exhibitor, sponsor-named classes, or 4-H achievement awards, often with custom text or sponsor branding. |
In addition to ribbons and rosettes, Hodges Badge also supplies medals, trophies, and custom engraved awards, a single source for your entire fair award program, from the smallest class ribbon to the showstopper grand champion award.
What Do Fair Ribbon Colors Mean? Standard 4-H Color Guide
Fair ribbon colors follow a widely recognized standard in the United States, with blue for first place, red for second, and white for third, though 4-H programs using Danish-system judging apply a different color system.
Ribbon Color | Placing / Meaning | System |
Blue | 1st Place | Traditional & Danish (merit) |
Red | 2nd Place / Good | Traditional / Danish |
White | 3rd Place / Fair | Traditional / Danish |
Pink or Yellow | 4th Place | Traditional |
Purple | Champion / Best of Show | Both systems |
Purple & White (Tri-color) | Reserve / Grand Champion | Both systems |
Green | Participation / Honorable Mention | Some fairs |
Pink (multi-ribbon) | Special Award | Varies by fair |
The Danish system judging is a 4-H evaluation method where exhibitors are scored against a defined standard rather than against each other, allowing multiple blue ribbons to be awarded in a single class. If your fair uses Danish-system judging, you will need significantly more first place (blue) ribbons and fewer second and third place ribbons than a traditional system requires. Confirm your judging method before placing your order. Read More About: The Danish System
Hodges Badge ribbons are manufactured in the United States with materials built for fair conditions, barn humidity, outdoor display, and enthusiastic young exhibitors waving them all day.
How to Customize Your Fair Ribbons and Rosettes
Customizing fair ribbons means printing your fair's name, year, placing, classes, divisions, and optional artwork on each ribbon, and the process is easier to navigate than most first-time fair managers expect.
- Fair or event name: Printed on the ribbon, streamer or rosette center, the most important identifier on every ribbon.
- Year: Exhibitors keep ribbons for years. The date makes them permanent keepsakes.
- Placing or award text: First Place, Champion, Grand Champion, Showmanship, specify the exact wording for each tier.
- Department or division: Livestock, Home Arts, Photography, Horticulture, helps volunteers sort ribbons quickly on show day.
- Custom colors: Match your fair's color scheme or use distinct colors per department.
- Logo or artwork: County seals, 4-H clover, fair logos, and sponsor marks can be printed on the ribbon, streamer or rosette center. Need a design? Check out our full line of stock designs.
- Sponsor name: Sponsor-branded ribbons recognize local businesses that fund award classes, a popular and easy add-on.
The Hodges Badge customer service team works directly with fair managers on every order, from choosing the right ribbon style to proofing your custom print. Call or email and a real person walks you through the process. Need a custom design, we have you covered with our production graphic design team. As a family-owned business since 1920, Hodges Badge has helped thousands of fair managers build their award programs from scratch.
Budgeting for Fair Awards: A Tier-by-Tier Approach
Fair award budgets work best when organized in tiers, starting with high-volume class ribbons and stepping up to premium rosettes for champion and grand champion awards.
- Tier 1 — Class Ribbons: Highest volume, lowest per-unit cost. Budget the majority of your ribbon spend here. Consistent branding across all class ribbons gives the fair a polished, professional look.
- Tier 2 — Department Champions: Step up in size and presentation. A slightly larger ribbon or modest rosette signals the difference between a class placing and a department-level win.
- Tier 3 — Grand Champions: Your showstopper awards. Invest in a full rosette with layered pleated fabric, even a few points and long streamers. These are the photograph moments.
- Tier 4 — Special Awards: Often sponsor-funded. Budget separately and coordinate sponsor names before placing the order.
- Buffer Stock: Order 10-15% more class ribbons than your strict count. Running short mid-fair is the most common first-year mistake, a small buffer eliminates it.
As a family-owned business, Hodges Badge understands that most county fairs run on tight budgets with high community expectations. Browse our full fair and 4-H awards collection at Fair, festival & 4-H awards to see all options across price points or give us a call today to discuss your awards needs and work with our customer service team to start creating your one of a kind show stopping awards.
Fair season is one of the most meaningful annual traditions in communities across America, and the ribbons you hand out are part of what makes it memorable. An exhibitor who wins their first blue ribbon at the county fair may remember that moment for the rest of their life. Getting your awards right matters, and ordering on time is what makes it possible.
Ready to build your fair award program? Browse Hodges Badge's complete fair and 4-H ribbon collection at Fair, festival & 4-H awards for class ribbons, champion rosettes, grand champion awards, medals and so much more. Call us and a real person will help you build your complete order.
FAQs
How far in advance should I order county fair ribbons?
County fair ribbons should be ordered at least 3-4 weeks before your fair opens, and 6 weeks is recommended for large orders. Hodges Badge Company (hodgesbadge.com) has been supplying county fair ribbons since 1920 and can advise on you lead time when you contact the team directly.
What is the difference between a fair ribbon and a rosette?
A fair ribbon is a flat award with printed event details, often used for class placings. A rosette is a circular award made from pleated fabric (sometime points and petals) with a printed center streamer, which can be used for champion and grand champion awards. Both can be fully customized with your fair name, year, and artwork. See options at hodgesbadge.com
What ribbon colors are standard for 4-H fairs?
In traditional placing, blue = 1st, red = 2nd, white = 3rd, pink or yellow = 4th. In Danish-system 4-H judging, blue = excellent, red = good, white = fair, and multiple blue ribbons can be awarded in one class. Grand champion ribbons are typically purple; reserve grand champion ribbons are purple and white tri-color. However, always check your state's 4-H program and county fair guidelines.
Can I get custom county fair ribbons for a small local fair on a limited budget?
Yes! Hodges Badge works with fairs of all sizes, from large state fair divisions to small community events. Standard class ribbons are available in smaller quantities at affordable prices. As a family-owned business, Hodges Badge understands tight budgets and will help you get the most recognition impact for your dollar. See all options at Hodges Badge
Does Hodges Badge sell medals and trophies for county fairs, or just ribbons?
Hodges Badge is a one-stop source for all county fair and 4-H awards, ribbons, rosettes, medals, trophies, custom engraved pieces and so much more. You can order your entire award program from a single supplier, ensuring consistent branding and simplified logistics. Browse the full collection at Fair, Festival and 4-H Awards.
What should I print on a county fair ribbon to customize it?
At minimum: your fair name, the year, and the placing or award name (First Place, Champion, etc.). Optional additions include your county or fair logo, department name, and sponsor name. Customization is part of the standard order process at Hodges Badge, a real person can walk you through every detail before production begins.
