May 1 - Jul 16, 2026
Announcement of FINALISTS
Aug 3, 2026
PRINT SUBMISSIONS
Aug 13, 14, and17, 18, 2026
PRINT EXHIBIT
Sept 11-20, 2026
*Cash prize amounts are subject to change depending on the total amount of entry fees received per category.
Now Accepting Entries For The Next
Deadline: July 16, 2026 at 11:59pm
2025 Grand Champion
Carving Hands by Catherine Spangler
2025 Reserve Grand Champion
What a View by Donna Larsen
2025 LeRoy Nielsen People's Choice
Hold on by Stephen Whitacre
*Cash prize amounts are subject to change depending on the total amount of entry fees received per category.
2025 Architecture 1st place
Sunset on the Pend Oreille river by Donna Larsen
2025 Twister Colors 1st place
Ford V-8 by Donna Larsen
2025 Portrait 1st place
Did Someone Say Treats by Matt Grebe
2025 Nature 1st place
Cooling Off by Cortney Litwin
2025 Scenic / Landscapes 1st place
2025 Scenic / Landscapes 1st place
Antelope Canyon by Donna Larsen
*Cash prize amounts are subject to change depending on the total amount of entry fees received per category.
2026 Open Division Subject Categories
Wildlife / Animals
Any image depicting living animals, including insects, birds and fish.
Scenics / Landscapes
Any image depicting either landscapes, seascapes, cityscapes or nightscapes.
Architecture
Any image that depicts the design of a man-made structure or building.
Portraits
Any image depicting a living being, either in a formal setting or casual candid
Cell Phone
Any image taken with a cell phone; non-cell phone entries will be disqualified based on the metadata automatically assigned to the image.
Nature
Any image taken outdoors which depicts natural elements as the subject(s). Man-made elements included in the photo can disqualify the entry.
Creative
Any image that depicts a unique perspective, including digital manipulation.
Patterns
Any image with repeated elements, including shapes, numbers or colors.
This may be in nature or man-made, and include stripes, spirals, sequences or structures to create a visual rhythm.
B&W / Monochrome
Any image depicting the tints, tones and shades of a single hue.
Sports / Action
Any image depicting a sport or action and movement
Red, White & Blue
Any image which includes all 3 colors of Red, White & Blue. We are looking for images that constitute the highly common, iconic color combination, often representing national identity, freedom and revolutionary ideals.
Macro / Flowers
Macro entries MUST be at least 1:1 size ratio to be considered as true macro. Flower images can be any size depicting the blossoming part of a plant or tree
Open Division
- Open to all ages INCLUDING 17 and under.
- Professionals who earn at least 50% of their annual income from photography are NOT eligible in this division, and will be subject to disqualification.
- Entry submission fee is $5 per image. Two (2) free entries will be given for every 5 images entered. i.e. If you pay a total of $25, you will be able to submit 7 entries. If you pay $50, you can submit up to 14 entries.
- Please remember that this is the digital submission part of process and when the announcement for the finalist occurs August 3rd you will then need to get all selected images printed and mounted. See the printing and mounting requirements below
2025 Sports and Action 1st place
Leader of the Pack Obligado by Catherine Spangler
2026 Entry Rules
2025 Macro / Flower 1st place
Eight Spotted Skimmer by Doug Truitt
General Eligibility
- While residents of Spokane County are encouraged to enter, this competition is open to the general public in other states or countries.
- The photo entry must have been taken by the person entering the competition.
- Any camera can be used: interchangeable or fixed lens cameras, cell phones, action cameras, film cameras, drone cameras, etc.
- Entries for the Cell Phone category must be taken with a cell phone camera. The metadata of each photo entry will be used to identify whether the image qualifies for this subject category.
- There is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted.
Submission Process
- Step 1 - Register online.
- Step 2 - Pay entry fee(s).
- Step 3 - Upload digital JPG image(s).
- Note: Entries can be resubmitted digitally as many times as necessary, up until the final deadline.
- Step 4 - If selected as Finalist, print and mount your photo.
- Step 5 - Submit your prints by dropping them off at the Spokane Fair Office.
2025 B&W / Monochrome 1st place
Trumpeter Swan Preening by Cortney Litwin
2025 Cell 1st place
Tine to Dine by Brian Lobdell
Submission Requirements
- Digital entries must be in JPG format.
- Photos must have a maximum size of 1920 pixels wide or a maximum of 1080 pixels high (also known as full HD resolution).
- The recommended minimum is 1620 pixels wide and 1080 pixels high.
- Entries cannot have any watermarks, logos or signatures identifying the photographer or business. Otherwise, the entry will be disqualified.
- By submitting images for this contest, the photographer agrees that their entries can be used by the Fair organizers to market and promote the Spokane Interstate Fair.
Registration Fees
- Submission entries are $5 each. Two(2) free entries are given, for every 5 paid images.
- To simplify the accounting for free entries, ALL entries must be paid for at the same time.
- If photos are disqualified for any reason, entry fees WILL NOT be refunded.
2025 Creative 1st place
No More Empires by Brian Keys
Note: While this video was made in 2015, the specifications have not changed, and still applies for this year 2026.
Printing & Mounting Requirements
- Print size must be a minimum of 80 sq in (8x10in or 9x9in), up to a maximum of 320 sq in (16x20in).
- Regardless of the print size, it must be mounted on a matte backerboard of exactly 16x20 in.
- Matte board frame is OPTIONAL.
- The total thickness of the mounted photo must be 3/16 in or less.
- For more details, click here.
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