I Won - Exhibitor of the Year MI Fair

I big hats off and congats to you. Nice job

, and we >both HAD to ask.....is there a limit to the number of entries you can >have, how do they accept entries? At the NYS fair, you can enter 5 >items, in different categories, for an entry fee of $6. Larisa

Oh how I wish that were the situation here. As I understand it, a while ago, the Exhibitor of the Year was only Judged on 10 selected entries and had to ear ribbons in all of 4 categories (the basic 3 plus floral arranging). The entrant earning the most points was the winner. Now, you enter as many items as you risk your time, energy, finances deem necessary to put yourself on top. The first 10 entries cost $12 and then it is $2 per each additional entry.......not a cheap proposition. You must earn a ribbon in each of three categories, baking, canning and sewing and points are awarded for each place ribbon and accumulated with the winner being the most total. It is a big gamble from year to year as you have no idea how many entries the next person is going to come up with. Some people go with lot's and lot's of junky items in hopes of sheer volume of lesser points, while some opt for a few well placed firsts. Obviously it is easier/quicker and less expensive to rack up points in the baking categories (assuming a person can cook somewhat). Whereas a seamstress can spend weeks and lot's of money on a single sewing entry, she does at least get to keep it when the Fair is over. Most of my stuff was made specifically for judge appeal and totally untouched and unworn prior. Yes, I was obsessed. I even made a wedding dress that my husband jokes about me having plans he doesn't know about.

All I could do a year ago was sew (and only had the 6 week class in

7th grade home economics). I was going to be on vacation when the baked goods were turned in so I had to pick things that could do well frozen....my family held out no hope as I repeatedy burnt my way through recipe after recipe (my husband is the cook). I literally caught fire to almonds on 3 batched of butter crunch. I ended up getting my ribbon on a decorated cake where they don't eat the cake, they just judge the decorating ( whew). I learned to can and did very well......but something about filling jars of beans with tweezers and trimming shavings off the tops of baby carrotts to get them to pack just right was somehow strangely similar to sewing. I am very glad that you can only win this acheivment once because it has been one heck of a challenging year and I need to have a reality check, see some daylight, play with my kids more, flush the toilets, change the sheets, play with the kids, and oh, by the way, does anyone need a wedding dress (haha). Joy

Joy, If you want a reality check and need a break from state fair related activities, you can travel over to my house and help me get some wall painting done...no judging, I promise :-)

Larisa, who again, is totally astounded

I Won - Exhibitor of the Year MI Fair glowed:

You're here in the mitten??! Why didn't you say so!!! Come to Jackson this weekend, esp Saturday evening. Huge CW re-enactment, lots of ballgown ideas. The sutler tents are well worth the trip. And it's all free (until you buy something). It's at Cascades Park.

--Karen M.

I wrote: ...

...before seeing the write-up in today's Freep. Joy, if you don't bring your daughter in her new dress you are missing the boat!!

--Karen M. who will be in a royal blue calico (the Butterick princess-seamed ballgown pattern) with a black lace shoulder deal thingie, dark blue gloves, and blue striped socks, acting like I've been dancing this stuff since 1981

Mike Hardie wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

That is truly stupendous! Heck, I'd give you an award for simply finishing all the projects that you started. And I guess we have to thank you for educating us about the wide and wonderful world of vacuum cleaner covers. :) I'm off to enter my 1 (one) humble batch of brownies to the local fair tomorrow, mainly because you get free admission with the entry, but also because so many on this group like yourself are inspirational for getting out there and entering fun stuff at the local and state fairs. I hope you post pictures of some of the big winners (make sure the ribbons are promenently placed for all to see too!!).

-j

Here is a picture of my Exhibit at the Michigan State Fair. Unfortunately, most of the clothing items are obstructed by the counter and the Scarlett gown is cut out of the picture to the left. I promise close-up photos soon. Joy

Mike Hardie wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

He was 9 and won 2nd prize?! There's some talent there no doubt! Must run in the family. :)

My brownies actually won first prize! Still a little stunned as it was just a lark, though I did take the time to use good chocolate and make sure I didn't burn it. I was unsure about my topping (a mocha glaze that used espresso and cognac) because it made them very 'adult' and like you said, taste is very subjective and some people really don't care for fancy extras. But I guess someone did (or the competition was thin, one or the other!) so I recouped the price of parking and some rides and balloon for DD. In all, a fun day and maybe next year I'll now have enough courage to enter some sewing stuff!

-j

I forgot my camera! However, I am buddies with a Lincoln Tribute Artist (that's an Elvis term) and many snaps were shot of him talking to/dancing with me. If I get my gigabytes on one I'll add it to my site.

--Karen M. Marshall is $20, Goodells is free, Hayes is free.

Yeah for YOU!. Sounds like you had a great day at the fair. I am hoping to go Friday. Joy