Judging
We've made a number of improvements this year in our judging program, and want to make sure you are aware of these changes.
For the most part, the general approach has not changed. We will still judge from 1:00-3:00 Saturday afternoon. The parade still will begin at 4:30. You will still receive a registration packet which will include the program, a dash placard displaying your class, name and vehicle as well as other materials.
What you will see new is an information trailer located in the vendor area near the stage. This information trailer will be staffed from 9:00am until 4:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and the staff will be prepared to answer questions or handle any issues you may have as an entrant. They will have radio communication with the show organizers to help resolve any issues which surface pertaining to judging.
We will have Lead Judges located throughout the show field (in seven geographic areas) who will have radio communication with the information trailer as well as show organizers. These Lead Judges will also be able to assist our judging team with questions and issues while judging is underway from 1:00-3:00 on Saturday.
We discovered some issues with judging during last year's show, and we have taken steps to resolve these problems. First, we have developed a seminar for our judges to help ensure consistent judging throughout all of the classes. A third of our judges have been through the seminar, and we believe this will contribute to more objective judging in future years. Second, we have recruited additional judges for this year, and have a larger pool of judges to draw from in case of illness or other conflict which prevents a judge from participating. Third, we have developed deduction guidelines which all judges will have to help them make more consistent deduction judgments. While there will always be subjectivity associated with judging a group of vehicles, we are expecting these guidelines will make the deductions for various issues more consistent from car to car and class to class.
We now have a rain plan to engage should we encounter inclement weather. As the show has always enjoyed great weather, at least until last year, there was never a perceived need to have a plan-B should rain interrupt judging on Saturday. Basically, if rain delays judging, the remainder of Saturday's schedule is delayed a similar length of time.
Here is some additional information, for Saturday:
- If your car is being judged, the hood needs to be up; the trunk needs to be open and, if it is a convertible, the top needs to be up.
- We would encourage you to be with your car at the time of Judging.
- First place and special award winners will be notified by the Class Judges with a blue ribbon and a parade location for the 4:30pm Winner's Parade.
- Award of Excellence winners will have their award placed in their car, by the Judging Team.
We are excited about the changes for this year's show, and hope they have a positive impact on your event experience.