Two Questions Re: Entry For State Fair
Decorating By maggiev777 Updated 21 Aug 2007 , 5:37pm by maggiev777
So I've decided I want to enter a decorated cake in our State Fair. I know I won't win but it will be fun and good experience, so that is okay 
I have two questions though, for those of you who know stuff about State Fairs (I know nothing about them!):
1) On the Criteria for Judging it lists (among other things) "Appropriate for occasion". What does that mean? The occasion is the state fair competition! Does that mean that it needs to be a state fair theme? Or does it mean that we tell them what our imagined "occasion" is (baby shower, going away party, whatever) and our cake has to fit the occasion we stated?
2) I can't find anywhere in the State Fair Book where it says that it has to be an original design. Do you think that it does? Or can it be something that I kinda replicate out of a book or off of CC or another site? I don't want to cheat! But I also don't want to have to totally come up with my own design if it is permissible not to. (Am I wimp for that??)
3) I know I said I only had two questions, but technically I'd also like any ideas y'all might have about a design to do. Figuring that out is always the hardest part, IMHO!
Thanks for your help. If I could figure out who to call w/ the State Fair to ask these questions I would, but so far all I can find are general numbers for the Fair, and I'm sure they care more about the livestock and such than about questions about their decorated cake division!
The fair entry book should state what type of cake they are looking for - for example is it a State Fair Cake; Special Occasion Cake; Birthday Cake, etc. Some fairs have different catagories - you just pick which catagory you're entering into. Of course i've only entered the Maryland State Fair so I don't know what other states have.
Debbie
hi maggie...the first thing you need to do IS check your state fair's website and research the cake decorating area of the catalog...generally it will give you the names of the "head" or "chairman" of that division of the contests. talk to that person and they should be able to answer all questions. if you can't find that info on the site, then call the main number and they will give you the info you need for those people.
there is usually a theme, like i just had at my county fair, but with the state fair i'm entering in sept, there is no theme...they just judge by the neatness of the appearance, how you portrayed the theme you chose, and the techniques that you used.
something to keep in mind...look over the catalog well and pay close attention to the rules, especially the one limiting the size of your cake board. alot of people ignore that, which will automatically disqualify you.
as for getting help with the theme, well, i kinda think that ball needs to be in your court. this really needs to come from you, in my opinion. you know your capabilities, your skill level, what you enjoy, and what you have the time and space to deal with. be creative, push yourself, and you may be amazed at what rolls off onto that paper and onto the cake board.
good luck!
>>Criteria for Judging... "Appropriate for occasion". What does that mean? <<
It means if the cake is designed for a baby shower, it should look like a cake that one would see at a baby shower not a 'generic' design that would be suitable for a b'day or any happy occasion.
Usually there is also a theme for each fair...so it could be a design that reflects that theme. ie: if theme is "pie in the sky' then the design should have some pies in a sky as opposed to teddy bears or roses.
>>can't find anywhere in the State Fair Book where it says that it has to be an original design. Do you think that it does? <<
It is rather difficult to come up w/a totally original design after all the yrs cake decorating has been around. *IF* you do something out of a book, you had better do it 'perfectly'! If you do a design you find on the internet it could or could not be that persons original design....they could have copied it from a book or magazine.
*Most* of the time judges are looking for perfection. Several techniques done exceptionally well. Be sure your board is part of the design and very clean; your overall icing is smooth; lettering (if any) is straight and all the same size; that sort of stuff HTH
Thank you so much for the help. I really do appreciate it!!!
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