It’s time for a refresher on running A&S competitions – specifically, competitions for your own group, rather than for the Kingdom.

Of course, we use the official judging system for Kingdom Championship rounds. However, there is absolutely no requirement to use that format for other A&S comps. For a one-off, you can offer something just as fun and interesting, for a lot less work. Some alternative styles for including A&S at your event:

– Showcase – Static display with no prizes or scores. Entrants don’t need to stay with their item. Tokens may be left as a mark of encouragement.

– Show and tell – Entrants have a spotlight moment to talk about their work to an audience. (Judges, scores, winners – optional)

– Laurel prize – Entrants stay with their displays, visitors move from entrant to entrant. Visitors may ask questions, offer feedback, and give tokens if they wish.

– Vote by assigned token – a controlled number of tokens are provided by the organisers, and awarded at the visitor’s whim. Winners are decided by the final number of tokens received. Entrants don’t need to stay with their item. (Choose tokens for ability to stay in one place, or provide cups so they don’t roll away…)

– Popular vote or general acclaim – winner judged by who gets the most applause, or the most tokens (tokens are provided by the visitors themselves, or by the organisers, without tracking the starting total.)

– Iron Chef – equipment and consumables are provided, along with a goal to be reached. Entrants have a time limit to produce their entry; scoring should be done as a crowd sport.

No doubt there are other possibilities, and many ways to combine these ideas.

Which style appeals to you? Maybe you can suggest using it at your group’s next event…

Joan,
KMoAS Lochac