1. Read the rules first, then read them again.
2. Decide which category you're entering, and determine how many jars, candles, or wax blocks are needed for your category.
3. Enter the details of your entries online here - free, less than one minute - required. Your entries will not be judged unless we have your online entry form.
4. Decide if you're going to mail in your entries, or if you're going to deliver the entries in person. If mailing in entries - consider only sending honey for black jar, and/or wax entries, since so much of the judging criteria for the other categories can be damaged in the mail. Reminder: To ensure fair judging, your entries must not have any labels on them at all.

If mailing: Entries must be from Texas honey producers, and must be received in the Fair Office, no later than Friday, September 4th. Attention: Dodie Stillman, Honey Show Chair - 1700 Hwy. 36 Abilene, Texas 79602. For questions: Fair Office: 325-677-4376. Your entries must not have any labels on them at all.

If entering in person: Bring all honey jars and wax entries to the AEL Round Building, Taylor County Expo Center (West Texas Fair & Rodeo) Tues., September 8, 2026 from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
No entries will be accepted outside this window. Your entries must not have any labels on them at all. A show secretary will issue a number for your entry, which will be used during judging.

The honey show isn't judging the bees—they've already done the hard work. The judges are evaluating how carefully the beekeeper harvested, prepared, and presented that honey.

Small details make a big difference.

Choose Your Best Jar
Not all glass jars are created equal. Look for:

• Clear glass with minimal manufacturing defects
• No waves or distortions
• Few or no air bubbles in the glass
• A clean, undamaged lid

Many competitors prefer the Queenline style jar because the wider lid is easier to polish and clean before judging. You can order from many retailers. Here is an example of the proper Queenline jar - you will need to order lids as well.

Fill the Jar Correctly

• Honey should be filled to the proper fill line.
• The deepest point of the honey's meniscus should reach the solid fill ring—not above it and not below it.
• Avoid overfilling, which can cause honey to squeeze into the lid.
• Many experienced competitors travel with one lid and replace it with a perfectly clean lid immediately before check-in.
• DO NOT PUT ANY LABELS ON YOUR JARS.

Present Crystal-Clear Honey
Judges will examine your honey using a light. They are looking for:

• No crystals
• No wax particles
• No bee parts
• No lint or dust
• No pollen floating in suspension
• No streaks from multiple pours

For the clearest presentation:

• Warm both the honey and the jar before bottling.
• Pour in one continuous pour.
• Keep jars covered immediately after filling.
• Polish the outside just before submitting

Remove Air Bubbles
Air bubbles are one of the most common point deductions. Helpful techniques include:

• Warming the honey before bottling
• Warming the jars before filling
• Allowing filled jars to rest in a warming cabinet or dehydrator, or placing on a heating pad

Clean the Jar
A spotless jar demonstrates careful handling and professionalism. Before submitting:

• Remove fingerprints.
• Remove any printed lot numbers using Everclear or rubbing alcohol.
• Polish both the glass and the lid.
• Make sure no sticky residue remains.

Moisture Matters
Honey that is too wet may lose points or be disqualified.
High moisture indicates the honey may have been harvested before the bees had fully ripened it.
Taste
Taste represents only a small portion of the score.
Judges primarily look for defects such as:

• Smoky flavor
• Offputting flavors
• Residue from mite treatments (such as thymol)

Taste is most often used only to separate two otherwise excellent entries.

Shipping Tips
Mailing beeswax entries is often easier than shipping extracted honey. If you're shipping honey, we recommend entering in the black jar contest and not the other categories - as black jar is all about celebrating the flavors, and not any of the other criteria. Shipping tips:

• Wrap each jar or wax piece well.
• Cushion thoroughly with bubble wrap and packing peanuts.
• Ship honey with an extra lid if desired.