FAIR GAME: Judging resumes at Madison County Fair

Jul. 23—The Madison County Fair Board, Madison County Extension Office, volunteers and staff are gearing up for a big week.

Beginning Friday, July 23, many in Madison County will make their way to the fairgrounds for the annual county fair.

It will return following a year's absence due to COVID-19 restrictions.

On Thursday afternoon inside Willis Hall, judges and members of the extension office gathered for hours to judge flower arrangements, fibers, honey, hams, and everything in between.

Judge James Kolas has been judging honey for about five years.

He could be found at the entrance of the building, carefully looking at the honey colors and translucency.

"I kind of look at for the first thing, the presentation," Kolasa said. "Is the glass clean? Is the cap in good shape? Seems like things that aren't dealing with the honey, but part of it it how you put it together. You make sure it fills to the right level (of the jar). Is the honey clean, does it have bubbles in it? Which is not good. Does it have foam on the top, that is not good. Sometimes there can be bee parts if it is not filtered well."

From there, he said the remainder of criteria is based on aroma and taste.

He began to learn about bees, honey and judging from the Young Harris College in Georgia, which hosts a bee-keeping institute every year.

"They started doing Welsh honey judging training and I just happened on it one day and said, 'Oh wow,'" Kolasa said.

He stated he was going down each weekend to finish the training, but when COVID-19 hit, it was put on pause. He hopes in the next couple of years he can attend again to finish his training.

With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, the groups in charge of organizing are getting back in the swing of things following a year's absence.

Judges came in Thursday morning and spent several hours placing first, second, third and best of show ribbons across items submitted for judging.

"Everything is so gorgeous this year," said Amanda Sears, a horticulture agent with the local extension office.

While she said some submissions may have been lower this year, she said people are probably getting used to doing stuff again.

"I am very pleased with what we have in," she added.

The fair will run from Friday, July 23 until July 30.

For more information about the fair visit www.themadisoncountyfair.com.