Entry tags redesigned

Exhibitors at this year’s North Idaho Fair will notice redesigned entry tags with color-coded age groups. Adults will use white tags, children will use pink tags, seniors will use green tags and professionals, or those charging fees to teach a certain craft, will be blue.

But bigger changes will remain unseen with a new entry classification and numbering system. The fair added a new computer system to manage competitive exhibits that changes how entries are managed and winnings are tallied.

More than 20 entry departments are divided up into age groups. Then, each department, such as display booths, foods and crafts, is broken down into specific entry classes.

For example, sewing entries are open to all ages. They are split into kids under 17, adults to age 59, seniors over 60 and professionals, and are given one of 107 different sewing category numbers.

Some age breakdowns are more specific depending on the entries.

Fair organizers say the computer system will be able to better manage winning crafts.

“It will be easier for us to compile data and hopefully (improve) our accuracy for premiums,” said Chris Holloway, general manager for the fair.

Ratings were done by hand before the new system and judging took nearly three days. But now, volunteers are more computer savvy and able to adapt, she said. The new ratings will be tallied as soon as runners bring figures to the fair office.

Holloway hopes entry cards will be clear and legible to keep errors low. She said future changes to the system may include handheld devices that can beam data from the barns.

With increased turnout each year, Holloway said it was time for a more efficient judging and rating system.

“We felt it was time to start looking in that direction,” she said.