Calhoun County UN-fair

Em was encouraged to enter her handspun (on one of my spindles!) Cap Shawl (better pic) in fair competition. Since she would have had to compete in Youth division for state (youth is under 18--she was 16 when she knit it, 17 at time of entry), she chose to enter it into our county fair's Open Class (17 or older, youth is 16 or under).

This was the first time anyone in our family entered something into a fair. We didn't really study the fair book, except to make sure she did everything as instructed for the entry. Which was a little difficult, since I finally found information for needlework entries by clicking on the fairbook pdf and skimming every single page until I reached "39-50...rabbit pdf" (right after "open horse trophy sponsors"). Wtf?

Below is the needlework division that I pulled out (removing most of the lots to shorten it) and highlighted a few things. Note that we have no specific knitting class and there's no spinning class at all). Also note the references to gold ribbons...as explained at the bottom (in blue) these are ribbons given by the Michigan State Fair to be awarded by county fairs to Best of Show in certain classes.

Em's shawl was entered into "Class 8 - CLOTHING 4-C-8-881 Stole or Shawl - Yarn" (Carina also entered knitted items into the clothing class). Em's shawl won a blue ribbon!

But we noticed something. The only knit item awarded a gold ribbon was an afghan. None were awarded to any of the lovely sweaters (including Carina's--colorwork and steeked!--tractor sweater), shawls, etc.. In fact, NOTHING in the entire "Clothing" class (If I seem fixated on afghans, it's because afghans and clothing were exhibited directly across from each other and the only gold ribbon to be seen in that entire end of the wing was on one of the afghans. You can see the afghan in one of Carina's pics. She also has a pic showing how badly Em's shawl was displayed. Had it been an afghan...) was awarded a gold ribbon. Wtf?

I emailed the Grand Pooba...

Although there appeared to be several "worthy" items (including, but not limited to, my daughter's handspun lace shawl and Carina Gunnerson's color work child's sweater), no gold ribbon was awarded in the "knitted items" class. Although a knitted afghan did receive a gold ribbon for Best Afghan, "afghan" is a separate category from "knitted item" in the gold ribbon program.

His reply (in part)...

I am sorry that you are having this problem, however it states in our Fair Book that a gold ribbon will be awarded if deemed worthy. In other words, it is up to the judge.

Just because your daughter did not receive a State Fair ribbon from us, does not mean that she cannot enter her item in the State Fair, that is open to all who wish to enter by their guide lines. I am sure that what she made is very nice and you should be proud of her accomplishment.

WTF?

I went back to study the fairbook more closely. Take another look at those gold ribbon references under certain classes...among others (Bedspreads? Wouldn't a bedspread be larger and potentially more complicated than an afghan?) the entire "Clothing" class excepted. Apparently, NOTHING--not even a complicated handspun lace shawl or a steeked colorwork sweater --in the clothing class is even eligible for consideration of Gold Ribbon/Best in Show in the Calhoun County Fair.

I responded to the Grand Pooba's email...

Thank you so much for your reply. I believe I was unclear, my "protest" is actually more of a request. I didn't mean to say that my daughter's entry deserved a gold ribbon, just that knitted items be considered eligible for gold ribbons...as stated in the documentation I cited in my original email.

If you look at the Fair Book, there are notations under classes, "*A Gold Ribbon will be given for xxx" I do understand that our county fair does not have the exact same classes as the state fair...i.e. many knitted items--shawls, sweaters, etc. are entered into the clothing class. The clothing class has no "*A Gold Ribbon will be given for xxx" notation in the book. What this seems to mean, contrary to documentation found elsewhere in the book, is that knitted clothing items (including those items more intricate and complicated than other items which ARE eligible, simply because of their class, i.e. afghans ) are not eligible for consideration in the gold ribbon program. This is what I would like to protest.

So far, there's been no response.

DIVISION C - NEEDLEWORK

Class 1 - AFGHANS
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $4.00 - $3.00
*A Gold Ribbon will be given for the Best Afghan

Class 2 - BEDSPREADS
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $4.00 - $3.00

Class 3 - QUILTS
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $4.00 - $3.00
*A Gold Ribbon will be given for the Best Quilt

Class 4 - RUGS
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $3.00 - $2.00
*A Gold Ribbon will be given for the Best Rug

Class 5 - PICTURES
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $3.00 - $2.00

Class 6 - PILLOWS
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $3.00 - $2.00

Class 7 - HOUSEHOLD
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $3.00 - $2.00

Class 8 - CLOTHING
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $3.00 - $2.00
4-C-8-879 Coat or Cape - Fabric
4-C-8-880 Child's Cape or Sweater
4-C-8-881 Stole or Shawl - Yarn
4-C-8-882 Sweater - Crochet
4-C-8-883 Sweater- Knit
4-C-8-884 Adult Dress - Special Occasion
4-C-8-885 Child Dress - Special Occasion
4-C-8-886 Boys or Girls Outfit - Fabric
4-C-8-887 Garment - Quilted
4-C-8-888 Garment- Embroidered
4-C-8-889 Garment - Hand Painted
4-C-8-890 Garment- Novelty
4-C-8-891 Sweatshirt - Counted Cross Stitch
4-C-8-892 Sweatshirt - Novelty
4-C-8-893 Slippers - Knit or crochet
4-C-8-894 Hat & Scarf, Knit or crochet
4-C-8-895 Costume
4-C-8-896 Any Other

Class 9 - INFANTS
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $3.00 - $2.00
4-C-9-901 Baby Afghan - Knit
4-C-9-902 Baby Afghan Crochet
4-C-9-903 Baby Afghan-Any Other
4-C-9-904 Baby Outfit-Knit or Crochet
4-C-9-905 Bibs (set of 3) Mounted
4-C-9-906 Crib Quilt
4-C-9-907 Crib Set
4-C-9-908 Sweater Set-Knit or Crochet
4-C-9-909 Christening Dress
4-C-9-910 Any Other

Class 10 - TOYS
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $3.00 - $2.00
*A Gold Ribbon will be given for the Best Doll

Class 11- HANDBAGS
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $3.00 - $2.00

Class 12 - HOLIDAY NEEDLEWORK
Dept-Div-Class-Lot - Premiums - $3.00 - $2.00
*A Gold Ribbon will be given for the Best Holiday

A State Fair Ribbon will be given for the best quilt, crocheted item, knitted item , rug, afghan, counted cross stitch, needlepoint, embroidery, textile painting , holiday item, and sewing item if deemed worthy.
*Winners are then eligible to take product to State Fair the following year.