News
Plenty of Time to Prepare for the EAS Honey Show
May 9, 2012
Submitted by Anne Frey
EAS is speeding towards us, with only a few months left to wait! What do you need to do to besides register, reserve lodging, and hire a pet sitter? Well, plan out your Honey Show entries, of course! Check out the new informative Honey Show Page on the Eastern Apicultural Society website and you'll find tips, instruction, photos, videos, webinars, rules and more. This webpage is extremely useful for simply preparing items for market even if you don't plan to enter a Show. It has been created with learning in mind, and the highest-quality links, articles, and presentations on the internet have been gathered here for you. Take a look at the recently added Photography segment provided by Zachary Huang. Just search for Eastern Apiculture 2012 using any search engine.
While you work your hives this spring and summer, remember to leave some time to get your Honey Show entries ready. Instead of being bummed out on that rainy or a cold day that's no good for beekeeping, why not melt some wax and make some candles or a 'Wax Cake, 2lbs. or More' ? Also, a Gift Arrangement takes some thought and attention. It should include a variety of hive products, arranged attractively. What about that weird little thingy you built a few years ago that works just right but will never be found in any catalog? That would be great for the Gadgets classes (small or large device). Do you have a basement full of mead or honey beer? Check out all those bottles for the best ones. Do you have a computer file or an actual box of prints of bees and beekeeping-themed subjects? Riffle through those and find the best ones. There's still time to get them mounted according to the Show Rules. This is a good spot to mention that you should consult the EAS Honey Show Rules before preparing any entries. Read the General Rules as well as the rules for the classes you are entering. Heck, read all the rules.
Honey Show Foibles
As a novice, I was so excited to enter shows, I tended to skim the Rules and rush to prepare my entries. Early on, I arrived at the County Fair with my submission, a lovely jar of honey with my own label on it. No labels allowed! Another time, at EAS, I proudly showed up at the drop-off table with a single jar for each honey class I was entering. Foolish me – you need to bring 3 jars for each class. I once arrived at EAS and immediately went out to lunch with friends, forgetting my creamed honey entries were still locked in the car. Hot cars also endanger comb, candle and wax entries. Transportation is a serious consideration. If you're flying, think about passing your entries to a friend who is driving. No glass jars in carry-on bags!
Hmmm, what else? I've never yet entered a photography class, but I've heard of people arriving with their photos framed (not allowed), mounted incorrectly, or wanting to enter whole stack (only one entry per class permitted). I've heard of exhibitors getting pretty steamed at the volunteers at the drop-off table. Before the Rules were published they were examined with a fine-tooth comb by the Honey Show Committee, and are very clear. Please read them carefully! EAS volunteers and judges will be using the same Rules you are using and there should be no need for any disputes. Have you ever noticed that the angriest you've ever been was when you were angry at yourself? Please be kind to the volunteers and honest with yourself.
It's fun to enter a Show, and later you'll learn a lot from your score card which will help you improve for future Shows. Let's all bring lots of entries and make the classes as full as possible! It's more fun that way, better than if a class only has a few entries. Check out the Honey Show page on the EAS website, and let's make 2012 a year to remember!
Remember, EAS is 8/13-17. People can come to the Short Course (2 1/2 days of workshops and beeyard instruction), or the Conference (2 1/2 days of presentations both large and small), choose a single day to visit, or stay the whole 5 days! Registration begins in May. Find more info here.