Department Head: Lynda Rizzardi
(865) 323-0807
Assistant: Roger Easterday
2026 Judge: Tim Sells
Schedule Information
Location: Jacob Building
Drop-off: Thursday, September 10 - 12:00pm-7:00pm
Judging: Sunday, September 13 - 8:00am
Pick-up: Sunday, September 20 - 9:00pm-10:00pm
Rules and Regulations
Individual Extracted Honey competition entries must be in a one pound queen line or classic jar, and Comb Honey competition entries must be in a cylindrical one pound honey jar or a pint mason jar. Individual Honey Show entries must be unlabeled (no name, apiary name, business name or logo, nor anything which would identify a specific person or group) and only ONE entry per lot per exhibitor. The exception is in Photography with catalog wording requiring specifics in order to verify membership in a Tennessee Beekeeping Association. As County Exhibits are not for individual entrants, ONLY Beeking Associations, Class 6 Lot 01 may include some labeled items. Only two entries per lot per family will be allowed. Beeswax - Class 4, Lot 1 must weigh at least one pound. Beeswax - Class 4, Lot 2 must include an index card with the name of product and a complete recipe (all ingredients and amounts, with yield of recipe). Beeswax - Class 4, Lot 3 is a single candle; NO rolled beeswax candles will be accepted. All Beeswax entries should be wrapped in plastic wrap, unless they are in a product container with lid. Frames of honey must be placed in sanitary, bee-proof containers or securely wrapped in plastic wrap. All Honey and Beeswax must be produced in the current year 2026 and be from the exhibitor's personal bee yard. All Entries will be judged according to the official scorecard.
1. Register online at tnvalleyfair.org or submit your entries in writing on the Exhibitor Entry Form located at the back of this book. The completed form can be faxed, e-mailed or mailed no later than August 28. Online entries will be accepted starting July 1.
2. Entries will remain on display from the time of entry until 9:00pm, Sunday, September 20, unless otherwise approved by the department head.
3. Leaking Frames of Honey will be disqualified.
4. Sale of honey, beeswax or products by the exhibitors WILL NOT BE PERMITTED!
5. Counties wishing to participate in Class 7 - County Displays should notify the Department Head of the Honey Show at least 30 days in advance of the opening day of the fair. Six foot County Display maximum weight is 30 pounds; four foot County Display maximum weight is 20 pounds. A maximum of 3 persons will be allowed to set up one display.
6. No brads, nails, screws, tacks, etc. may be used to attach anything to shelving provided.
Official Score Card For Honey Show
Extracted Honey
Density (water content above 18.6% is disqualified, below 15.5% will be docked points).......................................................10 points
Absence of Crystals..................................................................................................................................................................10 points
Cleanliness (without lint, dirt, wax, foam or bubbles)................................................................................................................40 points
Flavor (adverse processing, after taste or fermentation - points will be deducted)..................................................................10 points
Container Appearance and Cleanliness...................................................................................................................................10 points
Accuracy of Filling (no visible gap between honey and lid)......................................................................................................20 points
Total......................................................................................................................................................................................100 points
Comb Honey
Neatness and Uniformity of Cut Comb.....................................................................................................................................20 points
Absence of Watery Cappings, Uncapped Cells and Pollen......................................................................................................20 points
Cleanliness (inside and outside of jar)......................................................................................................................................20 points
Uniformity of Appearance/Absence of Floating Cappings........................................................................................................20 points
Density (water content) and Flavor of Liquid............................................................................................................................20 points
Total......................................................................................................................................................................................100 points
Frame of Honey
Uniformity of Appearance.........................................................................................................................................................25 points
Absence of Uncapped Cells.....................................................................................................................................................20 points
Uniformity of Color....................................................................................................................................................................15 points
Absence of Watery Cappings...................................................................................................................................................10 points
Cleanliness - Absence of Travel Stains....................................................................................................................................20 points
Freedom From Granulation and Pollen....................................................................................................................................10 points
Total......................................................................................................................................................................................100 points
Beeswax Single Piece (Minimum 1 lb.)
Cleanliness...............................................................................................................................................................................35 points
Uniformity of Appearance.........................................................................................................................................................20 points
Color (The desired color is lemon, canary or straw yellow)......................................................................................................15 points
Aroma.......................................................................................................................................................................................15 points
Absence of Cracks & Shrinkage...............................................................................................................................................15 points
Total......................................................................................................................................................................................100 points
Beeswax Candle
Cleanliness...............................................................................................................................................................................30 points
Uniformity of Appearance & Shape..........................................................................................................................................20 points
Quality, Color, Aroma(The desired color is lemon, canary or straw yellow).............................................................................20 points
Finishing Details/ Wick should be 1/2” in length and coated with beeswax..............................................................................30 points
Total......................................................................................................................................................................................100 points
Beeswax Product
(Examples: body cream or lotion, lip balm, boat shine, furniture polish, etc.)
Cleanliness...............................................................................................................................................................................30 points
Color Appropriate to Product....................................................................................................................................................15 points
Quality and Appearance...........................................................................................................................................................30 points
Texture and Aroma....................................................................................................................................................................25 points
Total......................................................................................................................................................................................100 points
Individual Educational Exhibit & County Display (Class 7 & 8)
Individual Education Exhibit:
Attractiveness...........................................................................................................................................................................20 points
Educational Value, Accurate Information & Correct Spelling....................................................................................................40 points
Adherence to and Inclusion of FAIR Theme.............................................................................................................................20 points
Quick and Easy Read - no larger than a standard 22" X 28" poster............................................................. ...........................20 points
Total......................................................................................................................................................................................100 points
County Display:
Adherence to and Inclusion of FAIR Theme.............................................................................................................................20 points
Attractiveness...........................................................................................................................................................................20 points
Educational Value, Accurate Information & Correct Spelling....................................................................................................40 points
Inclusion of Hive Products (Honey, Wax, Pollen, Propolis, Wax Products)............................................................................. 20 points
Total......................................................................................................................................................................................100 points
Photography
Composition..............................................................................................................................................................................35 points
Treatment of subject matter......................................................................................................................................................35 points
Quality and presentation...........................................................................................................................................................30 points
Total......................................................................................................................................................................................100 points
Premiums for Classes 1-5
1st - $20.00 2nd - $15.00 3rd - $10.00
Premiums for Class 6
1st - $75.00 2nd - $60.00 3rd - $45.00
Credible Entries Will Receive $20.00
Premiums for Class 7
1st - $14.00 2nd - $10.00 3rd - $8.00
Class 1 - Extracted Honey
Lot
01 - Extra Light Amber TN
02 - Light Amber
03 - Amber
04 - Dark Amber TN
Class 2 - Comb Honey
Lot
01 - Extra Light Amber
02 - Light Amber
03 - Amber
04 - Dark Amber
Class 3 - Frame of Honey
Lot
01 - Shallow frame light honey
02 - Shallow frame dark honey
03 - Deep frame of light honey
04 - Deep frame of dark honey
* An Illinois/medium frame may be entered into shallow or deep
Class 4 - Beeswax
The desired color of beeswax is lemon, canary or straw yellow.
Lot
01 - One entry of beeswax TN
02 - A homemade product made of beeswax
03 - Candle
Class 5 - Individual Educational Exhibit
1. No larger than a standard 22”x28” poster exhibit on any phase of apiculture.
2. Lettering/wording must be legible from at least a 12-foot distance.
3. Must include Fair Theme.
4. Must fit in shelf space provided.
Class 6 - County Display
Lot 01
Best display presenting an educational and promotional exhibit by a Tennessee County Beekeepers Association. Individuals may not enter this Class, only Beekeeping Associations. Please see Judging Criteria/Official Score Card.
Class 7 - Photography
Competition is open to members of a Tennessee Beekeeping Association. Prints must be 8”x10” and mounted on a board with a 1” border on each side. No frames are permitted. Prints may be black and white or color. Photographs may only be entered once in any Tennessee Valley Fair show. Each photograph must be accompanied by a 3”x 5” card giving photo title, entrant’s name, address, city, state, zip code, telephone number, and name of their local Beekeeping Association. Cards will be taped to the back side of the photograph.
Lot
01 - Close Up Print: Subject must relate to beekeeping; No person
02 - Landscape/Scenic Print: Apiary subject - apiary, hives, bees, flowers, fields, etc.; No person
03 - Portrait print: A person involved in a beekeeping procedure in an appropriate apiary setting
Class 8 - Sweepstakes
Lot 01
Best of Show Rosette Ribbons will be awarded to the 3 exhibitors earning the most points in Classes 1 - 5.
Points will be calculated as follows:
Blue ribbon - 10 points
Red ribbon - 8 points
White ribbon - 6 points