HotPepperQueen
Deeply Rooted
Last year was my first year bringing anything to the county fair. Our fair is pretty small, but boy do people bring a lot of stuff to show. Since there aren't very many people, the age divisions are quite broad. I was in the 18-65 year age division 
I brought basil, thyme, parsley, hot banana peppers, tomato juice, pickled peppers, dilly beans, pickles, canned apples, sauerkraut, and candybar brownies. I didn't bring as much as I could've because this was my first year and I didn't want to overdo it. Little did I know that people enter dozens upon dozens of things to the fair because it is easy money!!! I got blue ribbons on- all fresh produce, pickles, sauerkraut, candybar brownies, and pickled peppers. I got red ribbons on- canned apples and dilly beans. And then I got a white ribbon on my tomato juice because I had too much space from the top of the juice to the lid 
It was free to enter but with all the ribbons I received, I ended up leaving with a $23.75 check! 
I went to the local hardware store and bought about 5 cases of jars that were on sale with my winnings. It was totally worth it! Not only for the money, but the simple fact that I got recognition for all my hard work. I made a lot of new friends (some 30-50 years my senior) and had an excellent time hanging out at the fair talking about gardening, chickens, and everything in between. I learned a lot of new canning techniques and what to do differently so I could place higher next year. If you have never done it- I HIGHLY recommend you do! The feeling of community, recognition, and new friendships is unbelievable. It's very humbling and such an awesome experience. Just thought I should share and give some of you excellent gardeners food for thought! I really hope I can convince some of you to try it next year. :coolsun
I brought basil, thyme, parsley, hot banana peppers, tomato juice, pickled peppers, dilly beans, pickles, canned apples, sauerkraut, and candybar brownies. I didn't bring as much as I could've because this was my first year and I didn't want to overdo it. Little did I know that people enter dozens upon dozens of things to the fair because it is easy money!!! I got blue ribbons on- all fresh produce, pickles, sauerkraut, candybar brownies, and pickled peppers. I got red ribbons on- canned apples and dilly beans. And then I got a white ribbon on my tomato juice because I had too much space from the top of the juice to the lid It was free to enter but with all the ribbons I received, I ended up leaving with a $23.75 check! I went to the local hardware store and bought about 5 cases of jars that were on sale with my winnings. It was totally worth it! Not only for the money, but the simple fact that I got recognition for all my hard work. I made a lot of new friends (some 30-50 years my senior) and had an excellent time hanging out at the fair talking about gardening, chickens, and everything in between. I learned a lot of new canning techniques and what to do differently so I could place higher next year. If you have never done it- I HIGHLY recommend you do! The feeling of community, recognition, and new friendships is unbelievable. It's very humbling and such an awesome experience. Just thought I should share and give some of you excellent gardeners food for thought! I really hope I can convince some of you to try it next year. :coolsun
