> wrote in message
...
>
>
> thanks guys! yes it was fun, but 270 miles round trip (3 round trips)
> was a bit much. i won $5 yes $5 to spend on jars! I was going to see
> if I could swap for some jars while I was there...

Congratulations! It sure is fun to go into the exhibit hall (or tent) and
see a ribbon hanging on one of your jars, isn't it?

I think you should check to see if there is a premium book, or whatever your
fair calls the document that lists the various classes and the rules for
entry. It might be available online (the fairs I enter are now, but didn't
used to be), or they may mail you a copy on request, or a copy may be
available at your local library.

Check to see if they will accept entries that have been mailed to the fair.
I mail in my entry forms, and than mail in the actual jars of products to my
state fair in Springfield. Saves me a round-trip, which is costly in both
time and money.
>
> I still want to know how the boiled dirt mint jelly won 1st prize if
> Looks Count in jelly land. It may have tasted like nirvana but geeze
> it was ugly. My Aunt Thel's recipe won me a prize and that's good
> enough for me. Yep I'm hooked if they add a NOS relish next year!
>
I never know how judges rate the products. The state fair judges put a
little note on the back of the tag. The one this year on my Plum-Orange Jam
said it was a bit too stiff. That didn't stop it from taking blue for Jam
NOS *and* champion ribbon for Best Jam.

By next year you may be happily canning more products and the lack of a NOS
Relish category may not keep you from being hooked on Ribbon Slutdom.

Anny