Join us for the 158th Cowichan Exhibition, September 18, 19, 20, 2026.
Our 2026 Fair Catalogue is now available online! Our catalogue includes all the instructions on what you can enter, when to enter, the costs and when to bring your entries, etc. You will also be able to download the entry forms and the program of events.
Printed copies of the catalogue will be available at various businesses in the Cowichan Region, starting July 6th. Look for that list of locations coming soon or if you are business that would like copies of the Fair Catalogue, please send us an email cowex@shaw.ca
In the meantime, take a look at our 2026 Fair Catalogue. You can download the online version here!
2026 Entry Forms
Here’s highlights of this year’s Divisions with their classes , theme and special prizes!
4-H – Div. 10 – members may also enter their 4-H animals in the OPEN CLASSES, and must complete the regular Livestock entry form and pay the regular entry fee.
- NEW: Special Awards – in Section 14: Educational Boards – Junior Champion $20 / Senior Champion $20 – sponsored by the Cowichan Cobble Hill 4-H Council.
Cattle, Beef – Div. 6 – Thanks to 2026 Beef Show Sponsors – Top Shelf, Island Tractor and Mellor Excavating.
Cattle, Dairy – Div. 7 – Please note! Late entry fee is $10 per class
Creative Stitchery – Div. 25 – Special Awards:
- People’s Choice – Creative Stitchery – $30 – sponsored by the Cowichan Valley Needlearts Guild.
- Best in Sections #1, #4, #5, #6 – $25/$20 Gift Certificate – sponsored by the Stitchery’s Muse Needleart, Nanaimo
Eggs – Div. 12 – Special Awards
- Outstanding Entries in Fresh Eggs and Junior Classes – $50 – sponsored by Farmer Ben’s Eggs
Field Crops – Div. 13 – Special Awards
- Build a Scarecrow – Prizes: 1st – $50 / 2nd – $25 / 3rd – $15 – sponsored by The Old Farm Market. Keep this year’s theme, “Proudly Canadian,” in mind when creating your scarecrow!
Fine Arts – Div. 21
- NEW! In the Open division – Bad Art – 1st Prize: $15
- NEW! In the Junior division – Tattoo Flash Art – thanks to sponsor Black Cat Tattoo in Victoria – Prizes: 1st – $50 / 2nd- $35 / 3rd – $15
Flowers – Div. 18 – Special Awards
- Most Dahlias Award – $20 – Thanks to sponsor Esther Craig
- Grand Aggregate Dahlia Exhibitor Award – $25 – In Memory of James Richard Hurford. Dahlias were his passion.
From the Kitchen – Div. 19
- NEW! Bannock Bread
- NEW! Pakora
- PLUS our Chicken Wing Challenge is back! See pages 41 and 42 of our catalogue for the details!
Fruit – Div. 15
- NEW – Largest Apple
- NEW – Foraged Fruit – 1st Prize: $15, donated by Alison Irwin
Garden Produce – Div. 14 – Special Awards
- Our Family Garden Contest – Prizes: 1st – $100 / 2nd- $75 / 3rd – $50 – Thanks to our sponsor K. Ben Buss
- Bounty of the Valley – Prizes: 1st – $100 / 2nd- $75 / 3rd – $50 – Thanks to our sponsor the Old Farm Market
Goats, Registered Dairy – Div. 5 – Please note! Late entry fee is $10 per class
Hobbies & Crafts – Div. 23
- NEW – Recycled Hockey Stick Challenge – any item made from pieces of one or more recycled hockey sticks – 1st Prize: $25 sponsored by Island Return It.
- Special Award: Lego “Out of this World ‘ original design inspired by Canada’s contribution to the Space Program –1st Prize: $20 Gift Certificate, sponsored by the Red Balloon Toy Shop.
- Best in Show – Recycling Awards – three outstanding entries will be chosen from classes 18 – 24 / Prizes: 1st – $50 / 2nd- $30 / 3rd – $20 – sponsored by the CVRD Recycling and Waste Management.
- Garden Hat Contest – Prizes: 1st – $75 / 2nd – $50 / 3rd – $25. Sponsored by Dinter Nursery. Keep the theme, “Proudly Canadian” in mind when creating your masterpiece!
Honey – Div. 16 – For those new beekeepers, there is a novice class – more details to follow! Plus, check out the Cowichan Beekeepers Bee Mobile, located behind Mellor Hall.
Horses, Light – Div. 9 – Please note! * There is a stabling fee of $20. All stalls MUST be left clean; otherwise, a $25 cleaning fee will be deducted from prize money.
Horses, Miniature – Div. 8 – Please note! * Stabling is free. But all stalls MUST be left clean; otherwise, a $25 cleaning fee will be deducted from prize money.
Juniors (ages 5 to 17) – Div. 30 – NEW! Our Recycling classes are now in their own section- thanks to Island Return It for sponsoring
Knitting & Crochet – Div. 26 – Check back for special awards, classes and theme challenges
Photography – Div. 22 – Special Awards
- NEW – Quintessential Cowichan Backyard BBQ Photo Challenge – Prizes: 1st – $75 / 2nd-$50 /3rd – $25. Sponsored by the Cowichan Valley Voice – the photo with the most locally sourced, Cowichan-grown and Cowichan-produced products in the image wins!
Quilts in the Barn – Div. 27 – Theme Challenge, Best of Show, Colour Challenge and People’s Choice Awards
Div. 27 – Troll Brothers Quilt Shop Most Entries by One Exhibitor entering both Div. 27 and 28, including Class 8 in Sewing
Sewing – Div. 28 – Troll Brothers Quilt Shop Most Entries by One Exhibitor entering both Div. 27 and 28, including Class 8 in Sewing
Division 22 – 2025 Photography Winners
These “photos of the photos” were done by Martha Aguero, and they are just a reference, and can not compare to the prints that were shown at the Exhibition.
