Cobble Hill Fair and the Cowichan Exhibition

Class Criteria for Honey Division

Description:  

* All Beekeepers from far and wide are encouraged to enter the Cobble Hill Fair and the Cowichan Exhibition. 2022 Cobble Hill fair Catalogue

For the purposes of consistency and ease of communication.  All “Classes” for entering the Cobble Hill Fair and Cowichan Exhibition will be the same starting 2022.  The Cowichan Beekeepers executive has determined that our Society will support both events equally.  Although the prizes awarded will not necessarily be the same, the judging and the judging criteria for each of the “Classes”, will be the same. 

Class Entries: (some variation in the exact class numbering may occur from year to year)

1. Honey                             – White, three 375ml jars
2. Honey                                  – Golden, three 375ml jars
3. Honey                                  – Amber, three 375ml jars
4. Honey Novice class           – Any colour, three 375ml jars
5. Honey Granulated              – Three 375ml jars
6. Section Comb Honey          – Example: Ross Rounds, Half Hogg Cassette, square section
7. Full Frame Comb Honey     – Shallow Dadant or deep Langstroth (no black foundation)
8. Bees Wax                               – Two 500 gram blocks (that are the same).
9. Pollen                                     – Three 375ml jars
10. Hive Derived Creations      – Potions, Lotions, Lip Balm, Candles, Toothpastes, Infused honey
11. Apiculture Gadgets & Art  – Graphics, Pottery, Needle work, Poetry, Education Display, Beekeeping Gadgets, Tools (Must be directly apiculture related)
12. Mead (Honey wine)            – Two 750ml bottles (1 for judging, 1 for display)
13. Observation Hive                – A caste of Bees in a Hive
14. Photography                        – Pollinators, Beekeepers, and Photography from the Hive
15. Educational Display            – A focus message or Issue to teach about in apiculture.

* All categories have awards for  1^st,2^nd and 3^rd place (if points are achieved).

* Novice awards are for            – 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th in “Class 5”

Classes 1, 2, 3, 4     – Liquid Honey Scorecard

• Submit in three 375ml jars (specific jars)

Appearance and uniformity of containers …………………..  5

Uniform level of fill ……………………………………………………..  5

Colour (based on Dominion of Canada Classifier)………..  5

Freedom from crystals ………………………………………………. 15

Freedom from foreign material …………………………………. 15

Freedom from air bubbles (in suspension or froth)……. 15

Uniformity of honey……………………………………………………   5

Brightness………………………………………………………………….. 10

Flavour and aroma……………………………………………………… 10

Density……………………………………………………………………….. 15

Total Points………………………………………………………… 100

Class 5 – Granulated Honey 

• Submit in three 375ml jars

Appearance and uniformity of containers ………………….   5

Uniform level of fill ……………………………………………………. 10

Colour (based on Dominion of Canada Classifier) ……… 15

Freedom from foreign material …………………………………. 20

Uniformity of honey……………………………………………………. 20

Flavour and aroma……………………………………………………… 15

Granulation of crystals………………………………………………… 15

Total Points…………………………………………………………. 100

Class 6 – Section Comb Honey (Ex: Ross Round, Half Hogg Cassette)

• Must submit three sections of cut comb and all 3 must exceed 300 grams. 
• Ross rounds and square section entries must be displayed in the original square or circular section.
• Sections must be in the containers made for the display of the respective style of section comb honey.
• One of the containers may be opened to facilitate the Judge’s evaluation of the exhibit.
• There should be no leaking of honey from the comb into the box.

Cleanliness, Presentation Suitability … 10

Completeness of the fill ……………………. 25

Completeness of the capping …………… 25

Appearance of the capping ………………. 20

Freedom from pollen ……………………..… 10

Uniformity of honey …………………………. 10

Total ……………………………………..…….100

Class 7 – Full Frame of Comb Honey

• Frame must be submitted on a frame stand. 
• The stand does not have be elaborate; the stands are not judged.

Cleanliness of the frame ……….…  10

Completeness of the fill …………..  25

Completeness of the capping ….  25

Appearance of the capping …..…  20

Freedom from pollen ………………  10

Uniformity of honey ………………..  10

Total points …………………….….  100

Class 8 – Beeswax Block

• 2 – 500 gram blocks of wax that are the same.
• The wax should be clean, and free of impurities.
• The block should be smooth-surfaced and free of blemishes, decorations or embellishments.
• Preferable color should be lemon yellow with a pleasant fragrance.
• The block should be submitted on a plain, white paper towel or plate, or in a zip-top bag.

Colour ………………………………………………………    30

Cleanliness and freedom from impurities ..    35

Uniformity of appearance …………………………   20

Freedom from cracking and shrinkage ……..   15

Total …………………………………………………… 100

 Class 9 – Pollen

• Submitted in three 375ml jars

Appearance and uniformity of containers …………………..  5

Uniform level of fill ……………………………………………….       15

Colour of Pollen   …………………………………………………..      20

Freedom from foreign material ………………………………..  20

Uniformity……………………………………………………………..      20

Flavour and aroma…………………………………………………..    20

Total Points……………………………………………………….. 100

Class 10 – Hive Derived Creations

• One entry (2 identical products) in this class is allowed.
• 2 Identical “Creations” are submitted, so that one can be sampled while the other is displayed.
• What qualifies?  Anything derived from the hive that is not covered in the other
  “Classes”.  Example: Potions, Lotions, Soaps, Lip Balms, infused honey.

• The recipe: must include honey, beeswax, and/or propolis produced by the Exhibitor.
• Entries are to be presented in a re-sealable, unembellished container appropriate to the item.
• Entries should be not less than one ounce (1oz.), nor more than eight ounces (8oz.) in weight with the exception of lip balm which can be less than 1 oz..
• All entries will be sampled. Judges evaluate entries on the following:

Appearance ……………… 20

Uniformity ……………….  10

Texture  ………………….    10

Aroma ……………………     20

Tactile Feel ………………   10

Functionality …………….. 20

Originality ………………..   10

Total …………………….  100

Class 11 – Apiculture Gadgets and Art

• Examples: Graphics, Pottery, Needle work, Poetry, Beekeeping gadgets, and Tools

• A created product that exhibits an ingenious, creative, or novel use or concept.
• The gadget must be related to an aspect of apiculture and must be the original creation of the Exhibitor.

Judges evaluate entries on the following:

Craftsmanship.…..  20                                      

Ingenuity……………  20

Functionality …..…  20                                      

Creativity……………  20

Originality …………  20                                     

Total………………. 100

Class 12 – Mead

• The Exhibitor may submit one entry and the mead must be prepared by the Exhibitor.
• An exhibit consists of one, clear, uncolored, glass standard 750ml wine bottle.
• Bottles should be filled to a point precisely two (2) centimeters from the bottom of the cork.
• All mead must be produced from honey produced by the Exhibitor.
• All entries from one of the bottles will be tasted.
• A description of the type of mead and full recipe (including all ingredients) must accompany this entry.

Judges evaluate entries on the following:

Cleanliness …….  10                         

Fill………………  10

Colour………………     5                        

Clarity……………….   10

Clarity……………….   10                        

Lack of Sediment . 10

Aroma ……………….. 10                        

Flavour……………….. 10

Body…………………… 10                       

Balance……………….   5

Complexity……….… 10                       

Finish………………….. 10                       

Total …………….… 100

Class 13 – Observation Hive

• At least one frame of bees.
• Observation hive can be purchase or homemade.
• Queen is marked, 4 drones marked white.Appearance and suitability of Hive 20.

• Bees, quantity, and caste (queen, drones and workers) One entry in this class is allowed.
• The recipe: must include honey, beeswax, and/or propolis produced by the Exhibitor.
• Entries are to be presented in a re-sealable, unembellished container appropriate to the item.
• Entries should not be less than one ounce (1oz.), nor more than eight ounces (8oz.) in weight.
• All entries will be sampled. Judges evaluate entries on the following:

Appearance and suitability of Hive …………………………..……………………. 20

Bees, quantity, and caste (queen, drones, and workers) ……………….. 10

Brood in all stages …………………………………………………………………………  20

Brood Pattern ………………………………………………………………………………..  20

Pollen and Honey …………………………………………………………………………..  15

Queen marked, drones marked (4 for full score) and appearance ..  10

Total ………………………………………………………………………………….… 100

Class 14 – Photography – Pollinators, Beekeepers, and Photography from the Hive

• Submit one picture minimum size is 5”X7” or 12.7cm X 17.7 cm prepared by the Competitor.
• The picture will be returned, but a picture of the picture will be taken for potential use on website or Cowichan beekeeper publications.
• The Cowichan Beekeepers (Non-Profit society) will have the right to use submitted photos for the Cowichan Beekeepers Society website and Cowichan Beekeepers non-profit society publications.

Judges evaluate entries on the following:

Subject                         –  40

• How well does the photograph capture or illustrate the subject criteria requested and how well does the image effectively tell a story and deliver the message about subject: the beekeeper, pollinator, or the hive. Does the photo convey a mood or value?

Basic Techniques           – 15

• Is the photo in focus and is depth of field appropriate for the subject?

Composition                   – 15

• Is the composition skillful and dynamic and framed to highlight the main subject?
• Are there distracting elements in the picture that could/should have be eliminated?
• Does the composition make effective use of leading lines, rule of thirds, etc. ?

Lighting                           – 10

• Does the photo make use of light and contrast draw attention to the subject ?

Subject/Interest             – 20

• Are the colors and patterns effective?
• Interesting textures?

Total …………………. – 100

Class 15 – Educational Display

• The focus of this display is to teach the public about some aspect important to beekeeping
• This display could be as large as a single poster board, or a display that occupies a maximum of 50 cm X 50 cm space on a table.  There is no minimum size (a pamphlet or business card could qualify)
• This Display must be the work of the competitor and only one entry per competitor will be accepted.
• Multiple items and/or hive products tied to the message are valued
• If there are quotes, or materials that are not original, referencing must occur.
• Children under the age of 17 can receive recognition separate from adults in this category
• Age of competitor must be stated  (IE – Adult 18+ or Child ).

Composition (titles, word balance and overall appeal)……………………………..…     20

Content communication (accuracy, detail, clarity, ease of understanding) ….    30

Use of Media  ( graphics, items, pictures, graphs, art)  ……..………………………….   30

Message/Issue (How well the issue, or message was developed) ………………….. 20

Total …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 100

Some Awards will also be offered beyond the ribbons for 1,2&3rd place.  We are still working on the prizes and potential donations.  If you are intersted in sponsoring a medallion or prize, please contact IAN LOW pcowichanbeekeepers@gmail.com or bees@happylow.net