On 8/10/2010 1:11 AM, Beti wrote:
> While at the fair today, we checked out the preserving exhibits.
> There was some nice stuff - a few pretty marmalades, apple butters,
> pie fillings and tomatoes but nothing really out of the ordinary. One
> odd thing we saw was many jars seemingly in the same categories, e.g.,
> multiple strawberry jams, all with 1st or 2nd or 3rd place ribbon
> sticker on them. I asked a gal at the info table and she said that
> all entries are judged independently, not against one another. So
> basically if an entry meets the basic criteria, it "wins" a little
> blue ribbon sticker. There were a few special entries, a sort of best
> in show situation, that were put out in a special case.
>
> Has it always been that way and I just haven't noticed? I thought you
> entered your strawberry jam and if it was the best of all it got a
> blue ribbon. This just seems to make everyone's entry an "also
> ran".

The annual harvest fair held in our small city is the same way. Didn't
use to be that way back in the sixties when we came over from Texas to
compete in the rabbit show. Nowadays everyone gets a couple of bucks and
a ribbon. I don't think they even judge canning entries. I entered once,
a long time ago and saw everyone get a ribbon, even for some very badly
preserved stuff, I quit entering the fair. Some fairs are carrying
political correctness too far in my humble opinion. The contests that
children enter around here are often full of "winners." The exception is
a children's art fair that DW helps judge, only the true winners get a
ribbon or trophy, the rest get an "I entered the show" certificate.

>
> Not to criticize the entries at all but after perusing the "winners",
> I am feeling pretty confident about entering next year. If my
> lavender keeps growing at the rate it has been, I'm definitely using
> that in some combination - apple lavender jelly maybe, or lavender
> peach depending on what peaches I can get in time.
>
> Cheers!