Competition Rules and Info

  1. Our 2013 show theme is “Doodlin’ Around with Gourds”. There are three Artist’s Challenge classes: Themed Gourd; Jewelry; and I Did It My Way.  Entries in those classes should include Doodle Art.  Each Artist’s Challenge class will have a $15 prize for first place. .
  2. Adult exhibitors must be members in good standing of a Gourd Society to have entries in the show. Kentucky Gourd Society memberships are available at the show.
  3. Only one entry per class per person will be allowed.
  4. Entries must be exhibitor’s own work, unless otherwise noted. Entry classes AA78 and AP78 are for collaborative pieces.
  5. You may not enter pieces that have been entered in a previous Kentucky Gourd Show judged competition.
  6. Entry Forms are in PDF format for printing. Please fill out both sides and mail, with any fees, to Kentucky Gourd Society, P.O. Box 905, Taylorsville, KY 40071. Please coordinate Young Artists Division entries with Janet Barnett, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (502) 477-8543. We will provide one show pass per exhibitor. Additional weekend entry passes are available for $6.
  7. Entry tags will be provided. Tags can be mailed in advance for $2.50 for 25 tags or less, $3.50 for 26 – 50 tags, $4.50 for 51 - 75 tags and $5.50 for more than 75 tags. All entries must be pre-registered by April 23, 2013, to allow time for entry tags to be mailed to you before the show. No tags will be mailed for entries received after that date.
  8. Entries will be accepted on Friday evening, between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., EDST.  Entries may be accepted on Saturday morning, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. EDST by prior arrangement with the registration chair only.   No entries will be accepted for judging after 8:00 a.m. EDST on Saturday.  We appreciate Friday entries; they allow us to set up entries to display your work to its best advantage.  Exhibitor packets, including show admission badges and entry tags not mailed in advance, may be picked up in the Library/Media Center during these hours.
  9. When you check your gourds in, keep your entry tag stubs to pick up your gourds after the show.
  10. After judging, tags for entries receiving ribbons will be unfolded so that the exhibitor’s name is shown.  A 3x5 card with details of techniques and products used on the entry may be attached to the entry tag string and placed with the entry before the judging.  No business cards are allowed on entries until judging is completed, but they may be placed with exhibits after judging is finished.
  11. All entries must remain in place until 3:00 p.m. EDST on Sunday. Early removal of items will disqualify you from entering competition the following year.
  12. All entries improperly placed will be disqualified. See Entering Your Gourd and Winning a Ribbon. Assistance in entry placement is available at check-in. Bring your gourds to the Registration area in the Media Center and check in there.  One of the volunteers will help you to make sure they are in the right entry class, and will put them in the display area for you.
  13. Judging will begin at 8:30 a.m. EDST on Saturday. The exhibit area will be closed during judging. Judges' decisions are final.
  14. Ribbons will be given to the top three (3) entries in each class, at the judges’ discretion .  Fewer ribbons may be awarded than the number of entries available in each class if the entries do not meet requirements for the class.  If there is only one entry in a class, it may be disqualified and not get a blue ribbon. Be sure to read How to Clean a Gourd for Competition since improperly cleaned gourds are a major reason for disqualification.
  15. At the time of judging, stick-on ribbons will be attached to Entry Tags. They may be exchanged for regular ribbons when entries are picked up at the end of the show. To get a cloth ribbon, bring your winning entry tag, with stick-on attached, to the attendant for exchange when picking up entries on Sunday after 3:00 p.m. EDST.
  16. Special judges’ awards will be presented at the Saturday night dinner for:
    • Best Dried Gourd Entry
    • Best crafted gourd in:  Adult Amateur and Adult Professional
    • Best Floral entry
    • Best Artist’s Challenge entry
  17. A Best of Show Award will be made by the KGS Executive Board.
  18. An award will be given for Most Blue Ribbons based on the largest number of blue ribbons received by one person.
  19. A $50 cash prize will be awarded for the largest Lagenaria in circumference.
  20. A $50 cash prize will be given for the first place Gourd Artist’s Display entry.
  21. The Jim Story Memorial Award, a $25 cash prize, will be given for the first place Dried Hand-trained Hard-shelled Gourd entry meeting the AGS contest requirements. See entry class D03 for details.
  22. A $25 cash prize and a one-year free membership in the Kentucky Gourd Society will be given to the person who has the most entries.
  23. A one-year free membership in the Kentucky Gourd Society will be given to the person with the second most entries.
  24. A $10 cash prize will be given for the best Visual Gourd Tutorial.
  25. A $15 cash prize will be given for first place in each Artist’s Challenge entry class.
  26. See the Young Artist's booklet for special youth awards and ribbons.
  27. The Kentucky Gourd Society, Inc. will not be responsible for damage to or theft of items.