2011 Ag Venture Home & Garden Showcase
AG VENTURE
HOME & GARDEN SHOWCASE
2011 GENERAL RULES & INSTRUCTIONS
1. Exhibitors must be residents of Lamar, Red River, Delta, Fannin, or Choctaw counties. Red River Valley Fair Association directors, employees and immediate family members are not eligible for winning cash prizes (Check Division Rules for exceptions).
2. The Red River Valley Fair reserves the right to photograph or use any of exhibit for publicity purposes for future Fairs.
3. An exhibitor entry form must be filled out completely by each exhibitor. Entries must be entered by one individual unless otherwise specified.
4. Individual entries in all divisions will be checked in and accepted on Monday, September 26, 2011 beginning at noon through 5:00 PM in the Coliseum. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED. Judging will be on the same day at 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted. EXHIBITORS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN EXHIBIT AREA DURING JUDGING. With the exception of perishable items, all entries must remain in place until 1:00 PM , Sunday, October 2, 2011.
5. Entries must be the work of exhibitor and completed since September 1, 2010 unless otherwise noted.
6. Exhibitor’s name must not be affixed where it is visible.
7. The division Superintendents and assistants are authorized and responsible for receiving and returning entries for each division and reserve the right to accept or reject entries, depending on the condition and suitability for exhibit.
8. No item for sale in a commercial vendor or display booth may be entered in the Fair for judging.
9. All entries must remain on display throughout the Fair. Entries will be checked out Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM. All exhibitors must check out their items at the time stated. No one will be responsible for items left in the exhibit area after checkout.
NO EXEMPTIONS.
10. Security service is provided. Every precaution will be taken to protect all articles. Under no circumstances will the Red River Valley Fair Association be responsible for damage, theft, breakage or any other type of loss, and it is upon these conditions that exhibits are entered and received for show in the Fair.
11. Entry into competition indicates entrant has read, understood and agreed to abide by all rules stated.
HORTICULTURE
DIVISION 7
1. Red River Valley Fair General Rules apply except as noted.
2. Ribbons are awarded in each of three separate sub-divisions: ADULT, YOUTH (age 18 and under), and MASTER GARDENER. Youth Participation Certificates will also be awarded.
3. Lamar County Master Gardeners award $50.00 in cash prizes ($25.00, $15.00, and $10.00) to the three individuals in the Adult subdivision and to the three individuals in the Youth subdivision earning the most points based on ribbon placements for their Horticulture entries
a. Blue Ribbon: 3 points
b. Red Ribbon: 2 points
c. White Ribbon: 1 points
4. Master Gardeners and families as well as Red River Valley Fair Board members and families are not eligible for cash prizes: Master Gardener sub-division is judged separately for ribbons only.
5. This flower show is open to all amateur gardeners and members of all garden clubs. It is not a sanctioned Garden Club meet.
6. Three (3) exhibits may be entered per sub-class; none may be exactly alike–must be a different color or different variety, etc.
7. Entries must have been in the exhibitor’s possession for at least three (3) months.
8. Entries must be the work of the exhibitor in whose name they are entered.
9. All entries must be free of disease, insects, and other pests. Any entries deemed hazardous to other entries will be disqualified and removed.
10. Exhibitors are asked to identify each entry with the botanical name, common name, or both.
11. All entries must be checked in on Monday, September 26, 2011. between 12 noon and
5:00 PM in the Coliseum. Containers will be provided for cut flowers.
12. All entries remain on display throughout the Fair and must be picked up on Sunday, October 3, 2010, between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
13. Security service is provided. Every precaution will be taken to protect all articles. Under no circumstances will the Red River Valley Fair Association and assistants be responsible for damage, theft, breakage, or any other type of loss, and it is upon these conditions that exhibits are entered and received for show in the Fair.
14. Entries are judged on the following scale:
a. Eye appeal–40 points
b. Freedom from disease–20 points
c. Freedom from insect damage–20 points
d. Freedom from other environmental damage–20 points
15. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTION TO THE RULES; JUDGES’ DECISIONS ARE FINAL.
Class A – Potted Plants
1. African Violet–Miniature 12. Fern-Other
2. African Violet-Standard 13. Ficus
3. African Violet-Trailing 14. Geranium
4. Begonia 15. Hibiscus
5. Caladium 16. Ivies
6. Coleus 17. Orchid
7. Dieffenbachia 18. Philodendron
8. Dracaena 19. Pony Tail
9. Episcia 20. Schefflera
10. Fern -Asparagus 21. Syngonium
11. Fern-Boston 22. Any other
Class B –Hanging Basket
23. Airplane Plant 29. Ivies
24. Begonia 30. Jew
25. Bougainvillea 31. Portulaca
26. Fern-Asparagus 32. Purslane
27. Fern-Boston 33. Any Other
28. Fern-Other
Class C–Garden in a Container
34. Three or more plants
Class D–Cacti & Succulents
35. Aloe Vera 40. Haworthia
36. Cereus 41. Sanseviera
37. Crassula 42. Sedum
38. Epiphyllum 43. Sempervivum
39. Euphorbia 44. Any other
Class E–Roses (Single Stem)
45. Antique 49. Miniature
46. Climbing 50. Shrub
47. Floribunda 51. Any other
48. Hybrid Tea
Class F–Cut Flowers, Perennial (Single Stem)
52. Abelia 61. Daisy 70. Lantana
53. Althea 62. Daylily 71. Liatris
54. Azalea 63. Dianthus 72. Phlox
55. Black-eyed Susan 64. Gardenia 73. Salvia/sages
56. Canna 65. Geranium 74. Turk’s Cap
57. Chrysanthemum 66. Grasses 75. Verbena
58. Coneflower 67. Hibiscus (Hardy) 76. Yarrow
59. Coreopsis 68. Honeysuckle 77. Any other
60. Crape Myrtle 69. Hydrangea
Class G–Cut Flowers, Annual (Single Stem)
78. Calendula 85. Geranium 90. Periwinkle/Vinca
79. Cleome 86. Gomphrena/ 91. Salvia/Sages
80. Celosia Globe Amaranth/ 92. Shrimp Plant
81. Cosmos Bachelor’s Button 93. Snapdragon
82. Coleus 87. Hibiscus (Tropical) 94. Sunflower
83. Daisy 88. Marigold 95. Zinnia
84. Grasses 89. Petunia 96. Any other
FOOD PRESERVATION & GARDENING
DIVISION 8 RULES
General Division 8 Rules
1. Red River Valley Fair General Rules apply except as noted.
2. Ribbons are awarded in each of 3 separate sub-divisions: ADULT, YOUTH (age 18 and under) and MASTER GARDENER. Youth Participation Certificates will also be awarded.
3. Lamar County Master Gardeners award $50.00 in cash prizes ($25.00, $15.00, and $10.00) to the 3 individuals in the Adult subdivision and to the 3 individuals in the Youth subdivision earning the most points according to ribbon placements for their Food Preservation/Gardening entries.
a. Blue Ribbon: 3 points
b. Red Ribbon: 2 points
C. White Ribbon: 1 point
4. Master Gardeners and families as well as Red River Valley Fair Board members and families are not eligible for cash prizes. Master Gardener sub-division is judged separately for ribbons only.
5. THREE (3) EXHIBITS MAY BE ENTERED PER SUB-CLASS.
6. All entries must be checked in on Monday, September 26, 2011 between noon and 5:00 PM.
7. Except for perishables, entries will remain on display throughout the Fair and must be picked up on Sunday, October 2, 2011, between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
8. Security service is provided. Every precaution will be taken to protect all articles. Under no circumstances will the Red River Valley Fair Association and assistants be responsible for damage, theft, breakage, or any other type of loss, and it is upon these conditions that exhibits are entered and received for show in the Fair.
9. All entries must have been produced within the last year (12 months).
10. Entries must be the work of the exhibitor in whose name they are entered.
11. Exhibitors are encouraged to prepare and process preserved products according to current USDA/Extension Service information.
12. Non-preserved canned items will NOT be accepted.
13. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES:
JUDGES’ DECISIONS ARE FINAL.
DIVISION 8 RULES: PICKLES, RELISHES, CANNED VEGETABLES & FRUIT, JAMS, JELLIES, PRESERVES, BUTTER AND HONEY
1. All entries must be labeled with name of product, date of preservation, and method used.
2. All canned items must be in standard canning jars with standard lids and screw-on rings/bands in good condition and not rusted: honey should be in a honey jar.
3. Entries will be disqualified if jars are not clean, not sealed well, or show signs of spoilage; paraffin sealed items will not be accepted.
4. Entries will be judged on appearance, color, pack and liquid.
5. Jars will NOT be opened.
CANNED PICKLES, RELISHES, VEGETABLES & FRUIT
JUDGING SCALE–TOTAL 100 POINTS
UNIFORMITY: 50 Points
Pieces of the same size and shape for pickles: pieces ground, chopped, or liquified for relishes; liquid should be clear and free from sediment or defects of any kind.
COLOR: 30 Points
Pleasing appearance; even color throughout and free from lighter or uncured pieces.
TEXTURE: 20 Points
Texture is characteristic for the product preserved and not overly soft or mushy, with a pleasing overall impression.
Class 1A - Pickles
1. Beets 7. Sour
2. Bread and Butter 8. Squash
3. Dill 9. Sweet
4. Okra 10. Mixed vegetables
5. Peach 11. Any other
6. Peppers
Class 2A - Relishes
12. Chow Chow 17. Pickle
13. Corn 18. Squash
14. Cucumber 19. Tomato Sauce
15. Green Tomato 20. Any other
16. Hot Sauce-Picante Style/Salsa
Class 3A - Canned Vegetables
21. Beans 28. Sauerkraut
22. Beets 29. Squash
23. Carrots 30. Tomatoes
24. Green peas 31. Field Peas: Purple hull, black-eyes, cream, etc.
25. Okra 32. Okra & tomatoes
26. Peppers 33. Mixed vegetables
27. Potatoes 34. Any other
Class 4A - Canned Fruit
35. Berries 39. Plums
36. Figs 40. Mixed Fruit
37. Peaches 41. Any other
38. Pears
JAMS, JELLIES, PRESERVES, BUTTER , & HONEY
JUDGING SCALE–TOTAL 100 POINTS
CLEARNESS 40 POINTS
Liquid should be clear with color characteristic of fruit; contents should be free from sediment, defect, or crystals; fruit should have translucent appearance.
CONSISTENCY 40 POINTS
Liquid should range from consistency of honey to semi-jelly for preserves; pieces of fruit should hold shape and appear tender; good proportion of liquid; jelly should be firm but tender, holds shape, not syrup or gummy.
COLOR 20 POINTS
Color should be characteristic of fruit and free from discoloration due to overcooking or being stored too long; honey will be judged on color, clarity, and overall appearance.
Class 5A – Jams
42. Apricot 46. Plum
43. Blackberry 47. Strawberry
44. Grape 48. Mixed fruit
45. Peach 49. Any other
Class 6A – Jellies
50. Apple 55. Peach
51. Blackberry 56. Pepper
52. Cherry 57. Plum
53. Grape 58. Strawberry
54. Mint 59. Mixed fruit
60. Any other
Class 7A –Preserves
61. Apricot 67. Plum
62. Blackberry 68. Strawberry
63. Fig 69. Tomato
64. Peach 70. Two or more fruit combinations
65. Pear 71. Any other
66. Pear Honey
Class 8A – Butter
72. Apple 74. Pear
73. Peach 75. Any other
Class 9A – Honey
76. Comb In 77. Comb Out
DIVISION 8 RULES: FRESH VEGETABLES & FRUIT
1. Vegetables and fruit should be shown at the prime of development.
2. Specimens should be free of unnatural blemishes, distortions, and irregularities in shape and size.
3. Specimens in a single entry should be UNIFORM in color, size, and shape.
4. When foliage is present, it should be fresh and of good substance.
5. Presence of worms, larva, other insects, arachnids, disease, or damage from any of these will be penalized. Any entries deemed hazardous to other entries will be disqualified and removed.
6. Consult the CLASS PORTION for the quantity of each type of vegetable or fruit to be exhibited. The number of specimens required is in parentheses ( ).
7. Containers are provided for display.
CLASS 10 A – VEGETABLES
78. Beans–all (3 pods per variety) 87. Peas-all (3 pods per variety)
79. Cantaloupe (1) 88. Peppers-bell, sweet, and/or hot (3 pods per variety)
80. Cucumber (3) 89. Potatoes-red, white, and/or yellow (3 per variety)
81. Corn (3 ears) 90. Pumpkin (1)
82. Eggplant (1) 91. Squash-all (3 per variety –1 if large variety)
83. Garlic (1 bulb) 92. Sweet Potatoes (3)
84. Greens (1 bunch) 93. Tomatoes (3 per variety)
85. Okra (3 pods) 94. Watermelon (1)
86. Onions-red, white, and/or yellow 95. Any other (3 per variety)
CLASS 11A – FRUITS
96. Apricots (3) 101. Peaches (3)
97. Apples (3) 102. Pears (3)
98. Berries–all (3 per variety) 103. Plums (3)
99. Figs (3) 104. Any other
100. Grapes (1 bunch)
CLASS 12A – OTHER
105. Gourds (1) 108. Grains (1 shaft)
106. Herbs (1 sprig) 109. Any other
107. Nuts (3 in shell)