I was 11 years old at the time. They gave us judging sheets and a pen. My friend wanted to compare notes but I took it very seriously so I wouldn't share my findings. I remember looking at the bottles of beautiful peaches stacked perfectly in the jars. I checked the bottom to see if one pit was left in for color. I marveled at the patience of those canning the green beans as the beans were standing up straight and fit the jar from top to bottom perfectly.

When I picked up an article of clothing I examined the seams for straight stitching and judged how many stitches to an inch they had used. When I sewed for 4-H I would get out my little ruler and make sure I had nine stitches to the inch. I checked for raw edges and if they had sewed French seams I looked to see if they were perfect.

We only had a half hour to judge so we hurried from table to table. I thought it was great fun, when we left the fair I forgot all about the judging contest. Back in my home town a few weeks later several people told me congratulations. I said thank you but wondered why I was being congratulated. Finally I asked someone and they said they had read in the paper I had taken grand champion of the judging contest at the fair. Sure enough I was sent a big purple ribbon and a few dollars. This was exciting for me to receive this award. 

When I was in high school I was now living in Utah but I entered in the state fair a beautiful yellow sweater I had knit. The pattern was a pop corn stitch and the sleeves were short. I didn't get to the fair that year but again I was being congratulated by people who knew me. This time it was because I had taken first place for my sweater. I wonder how anyone ever saw my sweater among the many that are entered.

This summer as your children or grandchildren are working on their 4-H projects or other projects they are looking forward to entering in the fair I have some great advice on what to do with their ribbons. When they bring their ribbons home have them write on the paper on the back; their name, date and other information listed. We all think we will remember what it was for but I promise you they won't and neither will you.

Another thing to do is to take a picture of them with their project holding their ribbon. If the project was food then take a photo before entering it in the fair. If they have a journal have them put their picture and ribbon in it so it won't get lost. Or it could go in a scrapbook. The book the photo and ribbons go in doesn't have to be fancy; it just has to be done. Another place to preserve the ribbon and photo is in the 4-H journal they get when they start projects in 4-H.  Just don't throw them in a drawer as then they are easy to lose. Taking care of little things like this helps preserve precious memories.

For more tips and ideas on organizing visit my Fun Finds.