This year I am submitting a jam into the Topsfield Fair (Topsfield MA from Oct 2 - 12) and realized as I was getting ready that there's a bit to it! So I thought I'd share a few tips for anyone who might be considering entering.
• Read the rules thoroughly. The Topsfield Fair has about two pages of rules and not following them completely could result in disqualification. I recommend you read the rules before making your product (because you may have to process them a different way than you're used to) and after you make the jars so you label correctly.
• I pulled together such a pretty decoration for my lid and in my last read through of the rules I realized you can't decorate your jars! I think this is common, so read the rules clearly before losing time making your jar pretty.
• You may have enter before you submit. Topsfield requires you send in an entry form a week before you bring in your product. You can say what you intend to bring, so if you add/subtract something it's okay.
• The judges. This year Topsfield has a food expert from Kraft and a woman who teaches how to make/preserve jams. This means my jam will be judged for flavor, quality of the preserve (clarity, etc.) and in how well I processed the jars.
I'll find out at the fair if I placed. I'm in the "jam-other" category for a Blueberry-Peach Jam. Fingers crossed!
And I wish all the best to anyone who enters - it's a bit of fun!
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