Many families in Greene County look forward to the arrival of the fair for more reasons than you know. One treat is getting to be the test panel for the bakers in the family who are planning to compete in one or more of the baking contests that bring out the best cooks in the county. Here are four that offer the highest premiums and a chance to advance to state competition.
All four contests will be held at the Jacktown Fair on Saturday, July 18. Entrants in each of these contests must be Pennsylvania residents, and may not have won 1st place in the same contest at any other 2020 fair. Cash prizes will be awarded at all of the local contests and the 1st place winners in each will also advance to the state finals at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January for a chance at a $500 cash prize. FMI and full contest rules, contact Melody Burns at 724-428-3617. Entry forms and rules may also be found online at www.jacktownfair.org.
The INCREDIBLE Angel Food Cake
Sponsored by Pennsylvania Egg Farmers and the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs (PSACF). There are two main types of cakes, butter and foam (egg-leavened). Angel food is the classic example of a foam cake. The cake is 100% fat free and, because of the eggs, is a good source of the highest quality protein, as well as a source of choline, which is essential to memory and brain development. Prizes awarded will be 1st place: $25; 2nd place: $15; and 3rd place: $10. When entering your cake, which must be made from scratch and using eggs produced in Pennsylvania, you must also submit the recipe. Cakes will be judged on the following categories and percentages: 30% Flavor (smell, taste, flavoring), 25%; Inside Characteristics (texture, lightness), 20%; Overall Appearance (surface, size, color), 15%; Creativity, 10%; Topping, Icing or Decoration.
33rd Annual Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest
Sponsored by the PSACF, this is among the most popular contests and sought after award. Over 100 fairs across Pennsylvania will offer cash prizes for the best pie. Jacktown Fair’s contest is a preliminary competition that leads to the selection of the final Blue Ribbon Apple Pie winner held each January at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. The first place winner at the Farm Show will be awarded a cash prize of $500.00 for their winning entry. Other cash prizes will also be available for the top five entries.
Pies do not have to be traditional two crusted pies, and can have other ingredients in the filling, though it must be 60% apples and all ingredients and decorations must be edible. The recipe for the pie and pie crust must be submitted with entry, along with entrant information. Judging will be based on total score up to 100 points according to these categories: Flavor – 30 points; Filling consistency, doneness, moistness & flavor – 25 points; Crust color, flavor, texture, doneness – 20 points; Overall Appearance – 15 points; Creativity – 10 points.
So dig out that favorite apple pie recipe and give it a try. You could end up being the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie winner
Homemade Chocolate Cake
Sponsored by the PSACF. A contest participant must be an individual amateur baker, the entry must be a layered chocolate cake made from “scratch”. The entry must be frosted and the frosting must also be made from “scratch”. The cake recipe must feature chocolate or cocoa as a main ingredient.
PA Preferred Junior Baking Cookies, Brownies and Bars
Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s PA Preferred program and coordinated by the PSACF. The goal of this PA Preferred Junior Baking Contest is to encourage young people across the Commonwealth to participate in Pennsylvania’s agricultural fairs by showcasing Pennsylvania grown and produced products in their contest entries.
A contest participant must be an individual amateur baker age 8 through and including 18 years old and a resident of PA. The cookies, brownies or bars entry must include two PA Preferred ingredients. A comprehensive list of products is available at papreferred.com.
