The 92nd Annual West End Fair in Gilbert has announced its preliminary special baking contests. Entrants may not have won first place in this PA Preferred Chocolate Cake, Cookie, Brownie, or Bar contest at any other fair in 2013. The same rule applies for the Apple Pie and Angel Food Cake Contests for 2013.

The PA Preferred Program, PA Dept. of Agriculture, and the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs (PSACF) co-sponsor the PA Preferred Chocolate Cake contest and the Brownie and Bar contest. Over 110 fairs across Pennsylvania will offer cash prizes for the best cake and tastiest cookie, brownie or bar in the youth category (ages 8-18).First place winners at the West End Fair can compete at the PA State Farm Show in January, 2014. First place winner at the Farm Show will be awarded a cash grand prize of $500 for the winning Chocolate Cake recipe and $250 for the Cookie, Brownie or Bar recipe.Pay close attention to the rules/judging criteria for the Chocolate Cake contest found on page 71 of the West End Fair Premium Book and page 55 for the Cookie, Brownie and Bar contest, as there have been significant changes for 2013. Please note that you are to use as many PA Preferred products as possible. To find PA Preferred products, look for the blue and yellow PA Preferred logo on ingredient packaging or visit

www.papreferred.com.The 26th Annual Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest is also being held at the West End Fair this year. This contest is co-sponsored by the PA Apple Marketing Program, the Pa. Department of Agriculture and the PA State Association of County Fairs. The first place winner at the West End Fair can compete at the PA State Farm Show in January 2014.The entry need not be a "traditional" two-crusted apple pie. It can have a variety of fillings but must include at least 60 percent apples in the filling. The entire list of rules/judging criteria can be found on page 70 of the West End Fair Premium Book.The final special baking contest is the 10th Annual Angel Food Cake Contest. There are two main types of cakes, butter and foam (egg-leavened). Angel food is the classic example of a foam cake. This contest is sponsored by the Pennsylvania's Egg Farmers and the Pa. State Association of County Fairs. Like the other special contests, the winning cake will be eligible for competition at the PA State Farm Show in January 2014. Special rules and judging criteria are in the Premium Book on page 70.Remember to preregister your special baking contest entry on the same preregistration form you use to enter items in Departments 11-19, 21, 22, and 23.West End Fair Premium Books can be found at local businesses and the entire Premium Book is online at

www.westendfairgilbertpa.com. Call (610) 381-3895 with questions or email

wefair@ptd.net.A preregistration form is available on page 102 of the Premium Book. Pre-registration deadline is Aug. 5. Only preregistered entries will be accepted on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Judging will begin Sunday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m.