Going to register quilts for the local fair today
 

It's always interesting to see the fair arts building fill up with entries. Tomorrow will be the quilt judging. I don't always agree with the judges. (I'm the judges helper). The same elderly ladies year after year do the judging and they are very old school. It's frustrating to see blue ribbon winning machine quilting quilts being ignored for the best in show ribbon. Ladies don't fret over fair ribbons. Fair ribbons are not that great of verification of your skill at all. ;)

i've been entering quilts in the fair for years- i always enjoy seeing all the creativity from the community- and even though the judges tend to be a bit (old-school) at our fair they try to make sure everyone wins something- a little recognition for the effort....i will admit- i have won best of show 4 times- for machine pieced/quilted quilts....i don't really think of that recognition as having anything to do with abilities- or the judges- the viewer's vote for that one---& it all boils down to how many members of my family/friends make it to the fair that year :)
i like to go to see it all- & i generally vote for someone elses--not my own-
you are right- don't take (fair judging) to heart- the fair is all in fun- if you want serious judging of your work enter a real quilt show- either one sponsored by your guild or one of the big regional/national ones.
the fair is for fun.

Where I live a fair judge can only judge in the same county 3 years in a row and they can never judge in their own county. It makes for a fairer fair.

i like this rule. in some places, though, it's hard to find folks willing to take on the task.