So I decide to enter a cake into our rinky dink county fair. I make the cake, and take it to get it registered. All is well, and I am told to come back in a few hours, after judging. My daughter and I return later that evening, and while I'm checking the tag on my cake we are approached by an elderly woman who politely asks..." Is that your cake". I told her yes, and she proceeded to tell me that she really wanted to give it a ribbon, but she couldn't due to Fair rules and regulations. I was kind of stumped...and told her that I didn't understand. She then procedes to tell me that my cake was disqualified because I used a Box mix. This really confused me, because I read the rules and regulations thoroughly, and the category I entered was for "decorated cakes - NOT CUT". I interpreted this to mean that they were judging the decorations ONLY, and it did not specify that it had to be made from scratch. I pointed this out to her, and she agreed with me, but her hands were tied.
Well, if that wasn't frustrating enough, My DD and I were waiting for the Auction to begin (They auction the cakes after judging), and we overheard
the second place winner tell someone that she used Betty Crocker cake mix for hers!!! I just started laughing uncontrolably.
On the brighter side, everyone was ooooing and Ahhing over my cake, and many people voiced their opinions about it not having a ribbon. That made me feel much better. The cake sold for $140 at the Auction, but I only receive 25% of that. Strange that it was good enough for them to make money off of, but not good enough to judge.
The elderly woman who first approached me also informed me that she was a "professional" cake decorator, and told me that I should NOT have put the flowers on the top of my cake because it didn't match the patriotic theme......but other than that, I did a remarkable job. Wasn't quite sure how to take her! Anyway, here is a picture of the cake.
P.S. the winning cake was baked in a disposable aluminum pan, with only
the top iced with a few flowers and "Clermont County Fair 2006"
Written on it. Looked like an assembly line decorating job!
I'm sorry you got burned, so to speak. Don't let that stop you from entering more contests!
As far as flowers not being patriotic...poppies, anyone? Veterans' Day?
And funny, I can't even tell it was made using a box mix -HMMMMM!?! 
I dunno...I think the roses tie in very nicely because of the flowers on the side. You really did an awesome job!
Sherry0565! I love your cake! Sad to hear, but awesome job on the auction block! Just wanted to give you something!!!! You deserve it and more.
Great job. . . it's a blue ribbon winner in my book!
Leslie
. I know be nice. just curious?? Did you have to fill out an entry form? If so.. was there a question regarding whether the cake was made "from scratch" or a mix? You certainly cannot make that determination from looking at it. Your cake is beautiful and I think the red roses are the PERFECT topper!! 
I would have said something to a judge about the 2nd place winner, that's just not fair!
I think you did a fantastic job!! 
Please tell us how they KNEW it was a box mix--did you have to tell them verbally or in writing ? 
If you were asked and answered honestly, does that mean that the 2nd place winner deliberately lied, knowing that she'd be disqualified? 
If I discovered that to be the case, the fair committee would get a certified letter--unless I planned to enter again next year and blow the competition out of the water 
A crappy cake in a disposable pan WINS over this cake and a PROFESSIONAL cake judge says the beautiful flowers on top don't "cut it" 
--this wasn't the Clermont County Fair for the Artistically Challenged, was it?
Ah, some people.....
Rae
I agree with everyone else. Your cake is awesome!!! Definitely deserved first place. I think I would have to say something about the second place winner as well. How did they know it was a box mix?
What a beautiful cake! I love everything about it! I put red flowers on my 4th of July cake. Of course they're patriotic! They're RED!!! Maybe the winner was the old lady's daughter or something and she had to 'justify' not picking the clear winner! You get a blue ribbon from me too!
I'll give you best of show!! Your cake is awesome! Sometimes I think "jealousy" rears its ugly head at county fairs; especially if the contestant can decorate better than the judge!! I just entered our county fair and although I swept all three non-professional categories and took Best Of Show, it was my
poinsettia cake that I felt was judged unfairly as the "judge" felt it should have been in the "decorated" cakes division and not in the "baking" division. Therefore, it didn't place at all!! (The crust was too dark, was her excuse for not placing it!) I wanted to tell her that I would have put it in a decorated category but they do not offer a holiday section! Anyway, it's enough to make you want to stop entering these flaky county fair competitions. They can surely get your feathers ruffled!!
Thank you all for the wonderful Comments. I knew I could count on you guys for a confidence Booster!
I did have to register for the contest, but they did not Ask if it was a box mix. My cake actually had a small hole gouged out if it after judging where they had tasted it. (Which I didn't think they were suppose to do to the decorated cakes). Anyway, I guess that tipped them off, and then when she asked me, I did not lie about it....I had no reason too. What I don't get is, they tasted the 2nd place "betty Crocker" winner as well, so why didn't they pick up on that one?
I will enter again next year, and I WILL blow them all out of the water. They will no REASON to disqualify me!
Thanks again for the boost!
Sherry
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