2021 Table Setting Competition Results

The 2021 Table Setting Competition was held at the Chowan County Regional Fair on September 27, 2021. Besides the Celebration Ball that marks the end of the cotillion season, this competition is my most favorite etiquette event of the year!

2021 Theme: Water

The theme this year was simply “Water”. The contestants were told they could take it any direction they wanted: still or sparkling, fresh, frozen, or flowing! With Edenton being nestled between the Chowan River and the Albemarle Sound and just a short drive from the Atlantic Ocean, I wasn’t surprised to see most contestants take the nautical route!

Video Recap

Here’s a quick 6-minute video showing off all 10 tables and a summary of the judge’s comments for each table.

Vote in the People’s Choice Award: LIKE your favorite table on Facebook!

Learn more about future Table Setting Competitions!

History of the Competition

I started hosting this competition in 2018 after reading an article chronicling a similar competition at the LA County Fair in California. I was hooked and immediately contacted the volunteers who run our local Chowan County Fair. They were open to my idea and told me they had a bit of extra space.

Yes! We were in. I bought a dozen card tables and started advertising!

We only had 5 competitors that first year, but it has quickly grown to a full house of 10 participants.

Judging and Prizes

Judging is based on Correctness, Adherence to Theme, Visual Appeal, and Creativity/Originality.

1st place wins a blue ribbon and $100, 2nd place wins $50, and 3rd place wins $25.

There is also a chance to earn major bragging rights by winning the People’s Choice Award which is awarded based on Facebook likes.

1st Place Table

Karen Miller was the winner of our table setting competition this year!

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2nd Place Table

The second place table was entered by a local business, The Gregarious Goose.

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3rd Place Table

This table was entered by a youth competitor, Lauren Otts!

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Additional Entries

Table by The Penelope Barker House, a local historic site in Edenton.

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Table by Jayme and Brylee

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Table by Samantha Sykes (another youth!)

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Table by Trudy Riggens

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Table by “Working Together”

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Table by “Team Lewis”

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Table by Christy Hinson

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