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Q: May I enter the same item at more than one picnic?
A: Yes - except for the items that have previously won a Best In Show ribbon.

Q: Do you have to be a member of SAW to enter?
A: No - We welcome any and all scrollers to enter the contest and to take part in the Scroller's Choice Award balloting.

Q: If we join SAW at the event, can we get the discount on entry fees?
A: Yes. Obviously you won't have an ID card at that time, but you will have a receipt for your membership. That will be sufficient to get the discounted entry fee.

Q: Can everyone enter the Contest:
A: No. Judges may not enter the contest they are judging. Contest workers may not enter the Contest they are working at. Other than that, everyone else may enter.

Q: Do you have to physically attend the event in order to enter the Contest?
A: As of 2003, Yes, you must bring your own projects to enter them at a picnic. Proxy entries will only be accepted at a SAW Conference. Even at a SAW Conference though, you do have to make your own arrangements to ship your item (s) to the Contest and back to you along with any prizes you may have won. At this time it is not possible for SAW or CWWC or SSW to accept these items. Nor will the picnic givers be able to take on that responsibility. If you know someone who is planning on attending, they may take your item (s) and enter them for you. No discounted entry fees are available when using this method.

Q: What exactly are the judges looking for as they judge?
A: Judging can be very subjective, but they try to be as objective as possible. First of all they look at how the piece was cut. Are straight lines straight, are curves smooth, are corners turned well? Have all of the "fuzzies" been sanded off? Is the finish smooth and even (no drips)? Are glue joints done well without squeeze out of glue? Is the project mounted or framed appropriately? Is the choice of wood appropriate for the project? The actual choice of design does not enter into the judging except in the placement of whether this is a basic, intermediate or complex design.

Q: Do you examine all of the pieces in the contest and then go back and start judging?
A: All of the projects entered into a category are examined by the judges as a group, for example Fretwork Basic. Then the judges split apart and make their votes for the 1st through 4th ribbons. Those 3 sheets are then given to the contest group to determine the winner. Each project selected by a judge is listed. If a judge selected the project for a 1st place - 4 points are given to the project; 2nd place earns 3 points; 3rd place 2 points; and 4th place one point. Points are added up then and the project with the most points is awarded the first place ribbon, second highest is awarded the second place ribbon, and so on. All projects that were selected by a judge, but was not awarded a ribbon receives an Award of Merit.

If you have other questions that are not addressed here, please send a note to SAW with your question. You will receive an immediate reply and may see your question added to this list for other scrollers.