Stardew Valley Fair Grange Display: Ultimate Winning Guide

Understanding the Grange Display Scoring System

Winning the Stardew Valley Fair's grange display contest boils down to understanding its precise scoring formula. Your final score is the sum of three components. First, you automatically receive 14 base points just for entering. Second, you earn quantity points based on how many of the nine display slots you fill, which grants 1 point per item, maxing at 9 points for a full display.

Individual Item Scoring

The most complex part is the individual item scoring. Each item's points start with a base value based on its sell price, then add quality bonuses: regular = +0, silver = +1, gold = +2, and iridium = +3. The sell price thresholds are: +1 point for ≥20g, +2 for ≥90g, +3 for ≥200g, +4 for ≥300g, and +5 for ≥400g (capped). This means a single item can be worth up to 8 points.

Category Variety

While not a direct part of the formula, category variety is a critical strategic element. The system recognizes nine distinct categories, and using a diverse mix ensures you're leveraging the highest-value items from across your farm. To secure first place and the 1,000 Star Token prize, you must reach a minimum of 90 points. By focusing on high-value, high-quality items from different categories and using all nine slots, you can easily surpass this threshold.

Building Your Perfect Display: Item Selection Strategies

Crafting a winning grange display isn't just about throwing your nine most expensive items in the box; it's a strategic balancing act of quantity, quality, and, most importantly, variety. The goal is to hit a winning score of 90 points, and the most efficient path to victory involves maximizing points from each component of the scoring formula.

Prioritizing Quantity and Variety

Your first priority is to fill all nine slots, which grants a crucial 9-point quantity bonus. Next, you must diversify across at least six of the nine possible item categories to secure the maximum 30-point variety bonus. This is where your artisan goods truly shine.

Leveraging Artisan Goods

High-value products like Iridium-quality Starfruit Wine, Truffle Oil, Aged Roe, and Gold-Star Cheese are phenomenal choices because their high sale prices can earn them the maximum 8 points each. It's vital to note that the Artisan profession, which boosts the sale price of these goods by 40%, directly increases their individual point values, making it a powerful asset for this competition.

However, don't fall into the trap of using nine amazing artisan items; they all belong to the same category (Artisan Goods), costing you the massive variety bonus. Instead, use these 8-point powerhouses as your foundation and then round out your display with high-scoring items from other categories like Fish, Fruits, and Vegetables to easily cover your six required categories and secure your victory.

Year-Specific Strategies for Every Player

Winning the grange display in your first year is entirely possible with strategic planning. The key is understanding the four-part scoring system: you get a 14-point base score just for entering, but you must maximize the other categories. Always display a full nine items to earn 9 points for quantity.

The Power of Diversity

The most critical lever for new farmers is category diversity. You earn 5 points for each of the 9 unique item categories you display, but this bonus is capped at a maximum of 30 points for six categories. Your first-year strategy should therefore focus on covering six different categories with your highest-quality items, using the remaining three slots for duplicates from your strongest categories.

First-Year Item Selection

Don't worry about finding ultra-rare items; diversity trumps individual item value. Prioritize gold-quality fall crops like pumpkins and cranberries, any artisan goods you can produce like cheese or mayo, and iridium-quality fish you've caught. A collection of nine different iridium-star fish is a famously powerful, category-diverse strategy that can single-handedly win the competition.

By aiming for six categories with quality items, you can easily surpass the 90-point threshold needed for first place. This victory nets you 1,000 Star Tokens, which is crucial for purchasing your first Stardrop and other exclusive rewards from the fair vendor.

Advanced Tips and Pro Strategies

To truly master the grange display, you need to think beyond just high-value items and understand the sophisticated three-part scoring system. The key is to strategically balance Quality Points, Variety Points, and Value Points to maximize your score.

Maximizing Value Points

For the highest value scoring, focus on items that sell for 400g or more, as they earn a base of 6-8 points. This is where legendary fish like the Crimsonfish (1,500g base) or Glacierfish (1,000g base) shine, especially when combined with the Fisher profession to boost their sell price and point potential.

Secret Weapons: Artisan Goods

However, the true secret weapon is premium Artisan Goods. Iridium-quality Starfruit Wine or Truffle Oil, especially if you have the Artisan profession, are virtually unbeatable, easily hitting the maximum 8 points in the value category.

Achieving a Perfect Display

The real pro move is chasing the 125-point perfect display. This requires filling all nine slots. Combine this with a diverse spread from at least six of the nine possible categories to secure the full 30 Variety points. A mix of iridium truffles, gold Legend fish, and high-end artisan goods is a proven recipe for a top-tier, winning display.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Acing the Stardew Valley Fair's grange display is all about strategy, and even seasoned farmers can fall into common traps.

Poor Category Diversity

The biggest mistake is poor category diversity. The scoring system recognizes nine distinct categories, and you earn 5 points for each unique one represented, up to a maximum of 30 points for six categories. Filling all nine slots with multiple Animal Products or Vegetables is a surefire way to lose valuable points. Instead, you only need to strategically cover six of the nine categories to max out this bonus.

Neglecting Quality and Quantity

Another critical error is neglecting item quality. The system heavily rewards high-quality, valuable items, with iridium quality earning the most points. Settling for gold or silver star items when you have iridium alternatives in your chests will cost you dearly. Furthermore, always ensure you are displaying the maximum of nine items. The quantity bonus plummets if you display fewer, with only nine items granting the full +9 points.

Forgetting Your Items

Finally, don't make the logistical blunder of forgetting to retrieve your items after the judging. Your prized goods are not returned automatically; you must collect them from your display before you leave the fairgrounds. If you forget, you'll have to track them down in the Lost and Found box in Mayor Lewis's house.

Beyond Winning: Maximizing Your Fair Experience

While winning the Grange Display is a fantastic achievement, the true value of the Stardew Valley Fair lies in the exclusive rewards you can purchase with your Star Tokens. Since these tokens don't carry over year-to-year, smart spending is essential to maximize this single-day opportunity.

Top Priority Rewards

Your absolute top priority should be the Stardrop, available for 2,000 tokens. After securing this, turn your attention to the fair's unique rare items. The standout is Rarecrow #1, an exclusive decorative scarecrow with an iconic design, which also provides standard crop protection.

Fashion and Home Decor

For the fashion-forward farmer, the Fedora offers a stylish look, while the Light Green Rug and Dried Sunflowers are perfect for adding seasonal charm to your home. If you have tokens to spare, the rotating stock includes practical items like the useful Glowstone Ring for mining or Bulk Hay to feed your animals through the winter.

With the four exclusive items totaling 3,400 tokens (or roughly 4,600 tokens for everything including the Prize Ticket), plan your strategy. Focus on earning a high score in the Grange Display and try your hand at the carnival games and the Spinning Wheel to build your token stash. Spend everything before you leave to ensure no hard-earned token goes to waste!

Conclusion: Your Path to Grange Display Victory

Mastering the Stardew Valley Fair grange display is about understanding the scoring system's nuances and planning strategically throughout the year. Whether you're in your first season or your tenth, the principles remain the same: prioritize category diversity, maximize item quality, and always fill all nine slots.

Remember that while chasing the perfect 125-point display is impressive, you only need 90 points to secure victory and those valuable 1,000 Star Tokens. With careful preparation and smart item selection, you can turn the Fall 16th festival into your most profitable day of the year, earning exclusive rewards that will enhance your farming experience long after the fairgrounds have closed.