The Beachburg Fair’s Creative Writing contest was established in 2004. It was the brainchild of a Beachburg and area group of writers known as”‘The Henscratchers”. A qualified judge (college English teacher, newspaper editor, etc.) is hired by the Beachburg Agricultural Society each year. The subject matter often reflects the theme of the fair. For the last few years The Henscratchers have helped financially in the sponsoring of this contest.

It is encouraging to note that there have been entries from Pembroke, Petawawa, Deep River, Renfrew and Arnprior, as well as the immediate area. The more entries, the better the competition. Stories can be true or fiction. All entries are displayed in the Exhibition Hall during the Fair.

Chairperson – Heather Campbell (613) 582-3257
(Note the early entry date of Wednesday June 06, 2023, to ensure the judge has time to carefully read all submissions)

  1. Open to Adults 16 years and up.
  2. Entries must be submitted to “Heather Campbell Box 148, Beachburg Ont. K01C0” – postmarked by June 6th, 2023
  3. Stories and poems must be original and unpublished.
  4. The cover page must include author’s name, address and phone number, the title and class number(39, 40, 41, 42, 43). This info must not appear on the entry itself.
  5. Submit 2 copies of your entry (one for the judge, one for display). The judge will write private comments (critique) of your work on one of the copies. Please include an 8″x10″ Self-Addressed stamped Envelope if you wish to receive your critiqued copy.
  6. Entries must be typed in English on a computer or typewriter, preferably double spaced, the class number typed at the beginning of your entry (ex. Class 41 – A Story for Children) and the total word count or (poetry lines) printed at the end of your entry.
  7. )Entries are limited to one per person per class. An entry fee of $2 for a single entry, payable to Beachburg Agricultural Society, must accompany entries, or a $5 membership which allows entry in any category of the fair
  8. Judging will be done by a qualified judge. It will be “blind judging”  ( No names or identifying features are to be on the entries.) The judge’s decision will be final.                                            
  9. Prize money can be picked up at the Fair Office on Sunday July 9th, 2023 or it will be mailed.

Class 39

Prize Money: $12, $10, $7, $4
Short Story:

Fiction or non-fiction; maximum 2000 words. Open topic, with a farm setting.

Class 40

Prize Money: $12, $10, $7, $4
A Poem:

Minimum 12 lines, Maximum 42 lines.
Topic: Memories of a farm ( or a farm visit)

Class 41

Prize Money: $12, $10, $7, $4
A Story for Children:

Maximum 1000 words.
Targeted age: 6 to 12 years
A story related to a farm animal

Class 42

Prize Money: $12, $10, $7, $4
An Essay:

Maximum 2000 words

Theme: How farming has changed, in your opinion

Class 43A

Prize Money: $15, $10, $7, $4
An Acrostic story starting with:  ““After the chores ……….”
The story must be 26 sentences that tell a full story (beginning, middle and end) using the sequence of the 26 letters of the English Alphabet to start each sentence
(2nd sentence starting with B, 3rd with C, etc.) The story must have a plot and be in multi-paragraph form, as you would for any story. There is no maximum or minimum number of words.


Winning Poem from ~ Class 40 – A Poem

Grandma’s Uniform

Attired in her apron,

Rubbing flour off her fingers,

I can see her to this day,

It’s a memory that lingers.

It served her very well indeed,

That square of calico,

‘Twas a uniform worn with pride,

Though pride she’d seldom show.

Day in, day out, she toiled,

Never asking, always giving.

Not ‘til everyone was all tucked in,

Would she untie her apron string.

By, Lianne Oates
Foresters Falls, On.