all those ribbons...
what do they mean?
QUALITY RIBBONS
Every youth exhibit (Y1 & Y2) receives either a GOLD or SILVER award based on the quality of the entry and not in comparison with the other entries. Gold Award indicates excellence and the Silver Award indicates good, but needs some improvement.
*There is no monetary award given for Quality Ribbons.
PLACE RIBBONS
First, second, and third place ribbons are chosen by the judges for every class in all age groups. The winners of these ribbons are also rewarded with a cash prize.
AWARD RIBBONS
Awarded for each age group, the Grand Champion & Reserve Champion ribbons are awarded to the best and second best in each division. The total maximum quantity of division champion and reserve champion is three per each division (1 for each group).
*There is no additional monetary award given for Grand & Reserve Champion Award Ribbons.
BEST IN SHOW
Best in Show is the best of all the division across all the age groups. It is chosen from the Grand Champion winners in that division. Only one Best in Show is awarded for each division. Age group is not a consideration.
*There is no additional monetary award given for Best in Show Ribbons.
SPECIAL AWARDS
The Fair Director may award a special ribbon to an item that the judges have not selected as Best in Show, Champion or Reserve Champion, but that he/she likes and that has public appeal. Fair judges are not involved with this decision, only the Fair Director.
Throughout the fair, Exhibit Watchers assigned to each of the exhibit rooms are given these ribbons to place on exhibits they choose as their favorites. Fair judges are not involved with this decision.
Director's Award
People's Choice Award
*There is no additional monetary award given for Director's Award and People's Choice Award Ribbons.
Carolyn Bass is the original founder of the Salem Fair Blue Ribbon Exhibits and a long time local 4-H agent. This award is given each year in honor of her dedication to the youth of this community. The Y1 or Y2 recipient of this award is the overall winner of the most classes.
Darlene Brightwell was a long-time coordinator of the Blue Ribbon exhibits. This award is given in memory of Darlene and celebrates her dedication and hard work which helped make the Salem Fair Blue Ribbon Exhibits such a great event. The Open (adult) recipient of this award is the overall winner across the most classes.
Carolyn R. Bass Award
Darlene Brightwell Memorial Award
*There is no monetary award given for the Carolyn R. Bass Award and Darlene Brightwell Memorial Award Ribbons.
Photos provided by Nathan Firebaugh Photography.
Nathan competed in the Salem Fair Blue Ribbon photography competition when he first started out and has a blue ribbon of his own.
