January means it’s time to prepare for this summer’s Armada Fair, and the Armada Agricultural Society is now seeking youth project judges for the 153rd event.
AAS Volunteer Director Michelle Short said youth project entries are items entered by youth exhibitors enrolled in 4-H, or Future Farmers of America (FFA).
Depending on department entry counts, multiple judges are being requested. Short said requests for judges were posted on Facebook Dec. 10 and 19, 2024, for the 2025 fair. The Armada Fair can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/ArmadaFair. Those interested in judging positions can contact [email protected].
“We would like to fill our judging positions as soon as possible,” Short said. “Reminders will be sent out this year one month before the fair confirming those volunteers.”
The 2025 Armada Fair will be held Aug. 11 to 17 at the fairgrounds, located at 74280 Fair St. in Armada. Youth project areas in need of volunteer judges currently include:
• Fine arts and folk arts
• Photography
• Agriculture, floriculture and horticulture
• Needlework
• Culinary creations
• Sciences and veterinary science
• Demos and more
“Judges should be willing to converse with youth exhibitors face-to-face and should exhibit a curiosity about the projects entered by community youth,” Short said.
Still project judges for youth project areas are volunteers, but there are other judging positions within the fair that may offer pay.
“There are paid judging positions available within the livestock departments, at the discretion of those department superintendents,” Short said.
Short said judges might be employed in their department area of interest, or are teachers in that subject area. Proficient hobbyists in a specific department area can also serve as judges.
Volunteer judges will report to Barn 16 on Aug. 9. They will be judging youth still projects from noon to 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Any prep work is optional for the judges, based on their experience and familiarity with their departments.
“Judges are briefed by the superintendents for the day on expectations, supplies, and schedule. From 1 to 5 p.m., judges will meet with youth exhibitors at tables for their departments, viewing, discussing and rating entries,” Short said.
Each department outlines rubric and entry criteria in the fair Youth Book annually. Short said judges take into consideration an exhibitor’s years in the project area, knowledge of the subject matter, neatness, and creativity. Youth entries at the Armada Fair are also evaluated using a Danish judging system.
“Youth entries receive a ribbon for each entry. Then judges are to set aside exhibits that are especially high quality or creative in nature for Best of Show classification,” Short said.
Best of Show exhibits are put into a separate area of the Exhibit Barn for display throughout fair week.
“Within Best of Show, there are also entries selected as Grand Best of Show, which are further distinguished in the Exhibit Barn highlighting these items,” Short said. “Exhibitors receive a mailed check at the conclusion of each fair, paying premium money for awards received; award amounts are noted in the Youth Book.”
The fair’s Youth Book also describes project counts, dependent upon the department entered. Youth new to 4-H can still enroll as 4-H members through April 1 and make it in time to show work at the fair, Short said.
“Depending on planning and time management, youth may enter many, many projects in the Armada Fair,” Short said. “Area youth develop new skills and experiences while having fun throughout the year.”
Detailed information about the Armada Fair such as Fair Books can be found at armadafair.org. For more information about Macomb County 4-H, visit canr.msu.edu/macomb/4-h. For more information about FFA, visit facebook.com/p/Capac-FFA-100064146608981.
Nicole Tuttle is a freelance reporter for The Voice.
