Bakers and jelly-makers alike came together Friday night for the second annual Old-Fashioned Fair, held at the Decatur County Fair and Festival.

The Old-Fashioned Fair, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, was one of many booths at the Decatur County Fair and featured baked and other goodies submitted by members of the community. Heading the event was Adrienne Harrison, manager of the Southwest Georgia Visitor’s Center.

The categories for submission were jams and jellies, cakes and pies, breads, pickled foods and quilts.

The judging criteria for the baked goods and jellies competition were based on flavor, texture, overall appearance, and originality. The judges this year included Marjorie Mayfield, county human resources manager; Charles Tyson, former Bainbridge city manager; and David Helms, manager of Concrete Designs Unlimited.

The winner of the pickled products went to Berry Penhallegon for her pickled green tomatoes.

For the bread competition Barbara Snell’s “It’s not your Grandma’s Banana Bread” ran unopposed and took home a blue ribbon.

In the cakes and pies category, first place was awarded to Barbara Snell for her coconut pineapple rum cake, festively decorated with small paper umbrellas. Second and third place went to Teresa Lashley for her buttermilk pecan pie and chocolate layer cake, respectively. The layer cake had 11 layers.

For the jams and jellies, the first place was given to Jeanette Harrison’s mayhaw jelly. Second place was Ron Betts’s fig preserves and third place went to Don Catt’s strawberry jelly. Also on the table for display were many jams and jellies by Gloria Coppinger, who was a second and third place ribbon winner last year.

As the food judging was going on, a small crowd began to gather around the booth. The spectators eyed the goodies and inquired if they could partake in the tasting. A few of last years’ competition participants stopped by to comment on this year’s entries.

The next competition was for quilting. The judging criteria were presentation, design and creativity.

The first place ribbon was awarded to Delrose Betts. Second and third place were given to Phyllis Wilkerson.

There were fewer participants in this year’s competition, which may be due to the poor economy. Grocery costs are higher, which may mean many people did not have the means to buy higher priced items like sugar for something that was not going to feed their own families.

Harrison stated that though there were fewer entries this year, she was hopeful more people would participate next year.

Mrs. Coppinger quipped, “Perhaps a cash prize would help?”