2026 WV Molasses Festival General Exhibit Rules

1. Exhibitors must bring their exhibits to the West Fork Park in Arnoldsburg. Quilts and all other exhibits will be received on TUESDAY between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
2. Judging will be done on the days of entry and will be closed to the public. All judging will be finalized by 10 a.m. Thursday morning.
3. All exhibits must remain on display until 3:00 pm on Saturday. Quilts may be picked up between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
4. Articles previously exhibited and placing at a previous Molasses Festival may not be exhibited again.
5. First, Second and Third place ribbons will be awarded. Only blue ribbons will receive prize money.
6. When there is no competition, a ribbon may be given (if worthy) with corresponding money paid. However, if in a class no exhibits are worthy, neither ribbon nor prize money will be awarded.
7. THE DECISION OF THE JUDGE IS FINAL.
8. Special rules are listed within each department. Please refer to them for further details.
9. The West Fork Community Action Inc. And the Molasses Festival will not be responsible for accidents or loss of merchandise.
10. West Fork Community Action and volunteers maintain the right to refuse any entry not meeting class rule

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DEPARTMENT 1 – AGRICULTURE PRODUCE/FIELD CROPS RULES:

1. All products shown in this department MUST BE 2026 GROWN, unless otherwise specified, and must have been grown by the exhibitor on his/her farm or garden.
2. Exhibits that do not conform to rules WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.
3. Articles improperly classified will not be judged.
4. Fair officials will take every precaution for the safekeeping of exhibits after their final arrival and arrangement in the building, but will not be responsible for any damage or loss that may occur.
5. Each exhibitor is limited to ONE (1) entry per class, except where noted.
6. Age of contestant on September 1, 2026, to determine the category for competition.
7. Small items require at least 10 pieces for an entry. Large items require 3 pieces. Paper plates will be provided for display.
8. Fair officials/judges reserve the right to discard foods that are not suitable for display.

AGRICULTURE PRODUCE/FIELD CROPS CLASSLIST

DEPT. 1 – SECTION A – FIELD CROPS (number of pieces required in parenthesis)

1. Beans – Green, Wax, Pole, or October Beans (12)
2. Beets (3)
3. Cabbage (1)
4. Cantaloupe (1)
5. Carrots (3)
6. Cauliflower (6 fleurettes)
7. Corn – Field (3)
8. Cucumber (3)
9. Dozen Eggs
10. Garlic (5)
11. Gourds (1)
12. Kale (1 plant)
13. Most Unusual
14. Nuts (12)
15. Okra (10)
16. Onions (3)
17. Peppers – Hot (5)
18. Peppers – Sweet (3)
19. Potatoes – Red (3)
20. Potatoes – White (3)
21. Pumpkin (1)
22. Rhubarb (8 stalks)
23. Squash (3)
24. Sunflowers (1)
25. Sweet Potatoes – Any variety (3)
26. Tomatoes – all varieties (3)
27. Zucchini

DEPT. 1 – SECTION B – FRUIT

1. Apples
2. Berries
3. Cherries
4. Pear
5. Peaches
6. Watermelon

DEPT. 1 – SECTION C – LARGEST

1. Pumpkin by Weight
2. Tomato by Weight
3. Potato by Weight
4. Watermelon by Weight

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Department 2, Section A Canned Goods

Special Rules

1. Please exhibit in quart or pint jars only.
2. No enhancements are to be added to the jar or lid.
3. Home canned foods must have been prepared within one year prior to the judging date.
4. Fair officials/judges reserve the right to dispose of any spoiled canned goods

Department 2, Section A Canned Goods Class List

1. Apples
2. Beets
3. Corn
4. Dried Foods- Grown by exhibitor
5. Greens
6. Green Beans
7. Brown Beans
8. Hot Peppers- with or without wieners
9. Jams and Jellies
10. Meats
11. Peas
12. Peaches and Pears
13. Pickles
14. Tomato Sauces
15. Salsa
16. Relish
17. Sauerkraut
18. Soups
19. Tomatoes
20. Honey
21. Honey with comb
22. Carrots
23. Potatoes
24. Butters and Spreads
25. Juice
26. Other

Department 2 Section B Home Brews

Special Rules

1. Exhibits must be produced by exhibitor and exhibitor must be 21 years of age or older.
2. Exhibitors must not be involved in any way with a commercial brewery.

Department 2, Section B Home Brews

1. Ales
2. Lager
3. Wheat
4. Hard Cider
5. Corn
6. Wine

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Department 3-Section B through G Rules:

1. Exhibit must be a finished product and must have been made during the year by exhibitor.
2. Exhibits must not have placed in previous Molasses Festival Exhibition.
3. Exhibits must be clean, and have no tears or missing parts.
4. Exhibits must not have broken or mended parts.
5. Exhibits containing liquids must be in a leak proof container.

Dept. 3- Section B- Needlepoint

1. Knitted items
2. Crocheted items
3. Needlepoint
4. Plastic canvas
5. Embroidery
6. Cross stitch
7. Hats or Toboggans

Dept. 3-Section C- Sewing

1. Household items
2. Garments
3. Books or printed material (stamped fabrics)
4. Hand bags
5. Toys (bears or stuffed dolls)

Dept. 3-Section D-Weaving

1. Rugs
2. Blankets
3. Garments

Dept. 3- Section E- Crafts

1. Paper art (origami, paper mache, quilling etc.)
2. Christmas ornaments or items
3. Wreaths
4. Decorated Hats
5. Decorated Baskets
6. Decorated wall hangings
7. Toys
8. Dolls
9. Household items
10. Hand woven baskets
11. Beaded items (not jewelry)
12. Jewelry
13. Scrapbooking
14. Rugs
15. Recycled material
16. Vinyl creations
17. Stained glass
18. Legos
19. Metal crafts
20. Mosaic
21. Duct tape crafts
22. Ceramics
23. Pottery
24. Stepping Stones
25. Candles
26. Other

Dept. 3- Section F-Lotions and Potions

1. Soap
2. Lotion
3. Cosmetics
4. Fragrance

Dept. 3-Section G-Wood Working

1. Furniture
2. Kitchen
3. Toys
4. Wood Carvings
5. Wall Decoration
6. Canes or Walking Sticks
7. Outdoor Décor
8. Wood Craft (wood burning or other treatments)
9. Other

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DEPARTMENT 4 – ART and PHOTOGRAPHY

RULES:

1. Exhibitors are limited to ONE (1) entry per class
2. Judging will be done by the usual standards of subject matter, composition and photographicexcellence. Composition and exposure must be the work of the exhibitor, however the developing and finishing may be done by anyone
3. Photos must be 5”x7” inches or larger, MATTED AND FRAMED
4. If Photo or mad does not meet requirements, the photo will not be judged
5. Failure to mount prints will result in disqualification
6. Photos may be taken with a 35 mm camera or a digital camera
7. WFCA will take every precaution for safekeeping of exhibits after their arrival and arrangement in the building but will not be responsible for any damage or loss that may occur.

CLASSES DEFINED:

PEOPLE: Adults, children, babies, portraits and character studies or entire figures, alone or in a group where the main subject is the person or persons rather than the environment, close-ups or as a part of a larger composition.

NATURE: Any subject found in nature, plants or flowers, close-ups, etc.

SCENIC: Landscapes, seascapes, architectural and industrial scenes or any scene that has a fundamental unit of design or mood of such magnitude that all else is subordinate to it.

ANIMALS: Any animal or animals (pets, livestock, zoo, marine) in a natural setting. No posed, official show type photos.

DEPARTMENT 4 – SECTION A – ART – ADULT (18 YRS OVER)

DEPARTMENT 4 – SECTION B – ART – YOUTH – (FROM 12 -18 YRS)

DEPARTMENT 4 – SECTION C – ART – JUVENILE – (12 YRS AND UNDER)

CLASSES for all Adult, Youth and Juvenile sections:

1. Black & White Pencil Drawing
2. Pen & Ink Drawing
3. Color Pencil Drawing
4. Watercolor Painting
5. Oil Painting
6. Acrylic Painting
7. Oil Pastels
8. Pastel Drawing
9. Charcoal Drawing
10. Creative Painting
11. Creative Art – Mixed Media
12. Mixed Media
13. Miscellaneous or Other

DEPARTMENT 4 – SECTION D – PHOTOGRAPHY – ADULT (18 YRS OVER)

DEPARTMENT 4 – SECTION E – PHOTOGRAPHY – YOUTH (FROM 12-18 YRS)

DEPARTMENT 4 – SECTION F – PHOTOGRAPHY – JUVENILE – (12 YRS AND UNDER)

CLASSES for all Adult, Youth and Juvenile sections:

1. Colored Photos, People
2. Black & White Photos, People
3. Colored Photos, Scenic
4. Black & White Photos, Scenic
5. Colored Photos, Animals
6. Black & White Photos, Animals
7. Colored Photos, Flowers
8. Black & White Photos, Flowers
9. Colored Photos, Nature
10. Black & White Photos, Nature
11. Misc. Photos

DEPARTMENT 4 – SECTION G – COMPUTER ENHANCED PHOTOGRAPHY – ALL AGES

CLASSES:

1. Computer Enhanced Photography

DEPARTMENT 4 – SECTION H – PROFESSIONAL DISPLAY PHOTOGRAPHY – ALL AGES

1. Professional Display – Judged on overall composition, emotion and presentation

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Department 5- Horticulture Rules:

1. All flowers should be hardened or conditioned and placed in a cool place for several hours or overnight.
2. All exhibits must be grown by the exhibitor.
3. Potted plants must have been in possession of the exhibitor 3 or more months prior to the exhibition.
4. Potted plants must be in a suitable size container with saucer. Pot should be clean and not exceed 14” in diameter.
5. Only one plant type per container with exceptions of arrangements.
6. Horticulture exhibits are judged for horticulture perfection, not for age or size.
7. Plants should be groomed. Remove dirt, dead foliage, and spray residue.
8. Commercial growers and dealers are not eligible for exhibition.
9. Flowers used in dried arrangements shall be locally grown and dried. Do not use commercially dried flowers.
10. Herbs must be edible.
11. Herbs must be locally grown.
12. Herbs must be potted in a clean container no greater than 8” in circumference.

Dept.5- Section A Horticulture

1. Cut (single) flower
2. Fresh flower arrangement
3. Potted plants
4. Potted Herbs
5. Hanging Baskets
6. Dried Flower arrangement

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