I don't think fairs are the same as quilt shows and I wouldn't expect anything close to the same amount of judging. Fairs are strictly local things, and I would be surprised if any local fair paid actual quilt judges to review the entries. I'm sure it's a group of locals, who may or may not know the first thing about quilting. Even state fairs, I'm not sure if they get professional judges.
I think if you're a competitive person who enters your quilt in order to have it judged and win a ribbon, you probably are entering your quilt into the wrong venue if you put it in your local fair. On the other hand, if you're entering your quilt just to participate in the community and show off your handiwork, the fair is the right place.
I think I'd be disappointed if a show that used to be juried and judged went to the "everybody wins by participating" model but for a local fair? It seems more appropriate, especially if they're trying to increase entries.