Fair Pre-Entry Forms and Important Dates –
NEW! Online entries will be accepted for Pre-Fair Day and static exhibits. Please watch your newsletters for more information.
Due June 15
1.) Pre-Fair Day/Fashion Show Pre-Entry form selecting all exhibits to be judged on Pre-Fair Day (Clothing, Beyond the Needle, sewn Quilts, Knitting, Crocheting, and Shopping in Style). Can be submitted online or by physical form. If participating in the Fashion Show Judging select all project areas to be modeling on the form.
2.) Clover Kid pre-entry form - Clover Kids be sure to check if you will be showing any small animals at the Fair and if you will be penning your animals at the Fair or taking your animal home following the show.
3.) All Livestock pre-entry/ID forms - be sure to complete all classes planning to enter, whether participating in showmanship, and ID all possible animals bringing to the Fair. Consider IDing extra animals just in case your first choice animal is unable to compete. Livestock Show programs will be made according to these entries.
Due June 22
Narrations for all Fashion Show Clothing exhibits, Shopping in Style Written Report, and $20 Shopping Challenge Written Report are to be emailed to jsteffen2@unl.edu. You should have a narration for each garment you are modeling. (Exception - Clover Kids will complete narration the day of Fashion Show)
Due June 26
Static Exhibits pre-entry form: all non-moving exhibits that will be judged at the fair except horticulture & floriculture. We highly encourage online entry through the ShoWorks website, which is new this year. Physical entry forms are still an option if needed and are due the same day. Watch the newsletter for more information on this process. You will still need entry number, class name, and description. Fair entry cards will be printed from this information. You will be notified when entry tags for the static exhibits will be ready for pick-up.
Due July 6
Bucket Calf Record Book for all 4-H members intending to bring a bucket calf to the fair. 1st year requires record book. Return bucket calf requires year one and year two record books. Optional for Clover Kids.
Due July 10
Horticulture & Floriculture: in an effort to obtain more accurate horticulture & floriculture pre-entries, these online pre-entries will be accepted much closer to the fair than in years past. Watch the newsletter for more information on this process.
All pre-entry forms, project guidelines, and project supporting information forms can be found on the Cedar County 4-H webpage under “Cedar County 4-H” then “Fair & Pre-Fair Day Resources or at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/cedar/cedar-county-4-h/fair-pre-fair-day-resources/
General Rules
The following rules apply to all departments of the 4-H Section of the County Fair. Rules which apply specifically to a particular department will be listed under rules for that department. In case the general rules conflict with the department rules the department rules govern.
A. Eligibility Requirements for Exhibitors
1. Youth must be enrolled in 4-H by June 15 of the current year. There will be no discrimination because of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.
2. Accommodations for exhibitors with special needs will be granted with the approval of superintendent, 4-H Council and/or Extension Educator.
3. A 4-H member must be 8 to 18 years of age inclusive on January 1 of the current year. The last year of eligibility is the calendar year the member becomes 19.
4. Any boy or girl living outside of the county but currently enrolled as a member of any Cedar County 4-H program or FFA Chapter is eligible to show at the fair. Youth may not enter the same exhibit or animal in 4-H, FFA, or Open Class shows or in another county or state. All FFA members will follow the same rules and regulations as 4-H members.
5. State Fair – In classes where presence of the 4-H member is required for judging purposes, such as animal exhibits, judging contests, and Fashion Show, a 4-H member must be 8 by January 1 or turn 9 during the current year. The last year of eligibility is the calendar year the member becomes 19.
B. Procedure for Making Entries
1. All 4-H entries, pre-entries and identification affidavits must be made on appropriate forms provided by the Extension Office by specific deadlines.
2. Entries made by special needs individuals may have a note attached, written by the parent or leader explaining the child’s disability(ies) for the judge’s information and consideration. Any entry involving special needs individuals should be adapted to their special circumstances by the Extension Staff and/or the superintendent.
C. Entry Deadline
1. Animals – All Large and Small Animal Project exhibits for the County Fair need to be pre-entered on the appropriate Pre-Fair Entry Sheet and submitted to the Extension Office by June 15 or by the date designated in the 4-H newsletter. Late entries will not be considered for top awards.
2. Static – Entries will need to be pre-registered on the static form.
D. Identification
An animal (beef, sheep, swine, meat goat, horse, dairy, dairy goat, or rabbit) may be identified in 4-H, in only one county.
An animal (beef, sheep, swine, meat goat, dairy, dairy goat, rabbit, poultry, dog or cat) cannot be shown in more than one county fair. (Taken from the Animal Exhibitor Handbook) Clover kids can not show another 4-H member’s animal. 4-H member must be able to prove ownership and provide and care for animals.
E. Entry Fees – There are no entry fees for the County Fair.
F. Number of Entries
4-H members may exhibit one (1) entry per class unless otherwise noted. No entry can compete in more than one class. There must be three or more entries to have a show, this is determined by the executive committee.
G. Project Enrollment
Entries are allowed in only one unit/level of competition. Those enrolled in a Middle or Advanced unit may not exhibit in a less advanced unit.
1. 4-H Projects – Items entered for competition in previous years are not eligible for competition again unless otherwise noted.
2. School Projects – Articles made in school classes are eligible for exhibit if the individual has completed the necessary records during the current 4-H year justifying the construction of the item(s).
H. Exhibit Support Information
Exhibits may require supporting information in order for the judge to know how the exhibit was completed. Check the appropriate area in the Fair Book to see if that applies to your exhibit. If you feel that the judge could benefit from an explanation of your project or the techniques involved include an information sheet with the project.
I. Scoring
Score sheets for 4-H building exhibits can be found on the web and are available from the Extension Office.
J. Exhibits Released
The release times for the County Fair will be listed on the County Fair schedule. No exhibitor is allowed to remove any article or animal on exhibition until the scheduled time. Additionally, to remove animal(s) before the scheduled time the Animal Dismissal Form must be completed for each animal that is removed and approved. An example of this form is located in the back of this book. All articles and animals must remain in the assigned location or area during the fair. See General Livestock Rules Page 5, Item D.
K. Protest Committee
1. The superintendents of each division at the County Fair have the authority to make the appropriate decisions based on the rules and regulations of the County Fair.
2. The executive committee of the 4-H Council and designated members of the Ag Society will serve as the Protest and Appeals Committee. They will meet when needed to act upon any protest or appeal.
a. All protests or appeals must be submitted in writing and signed. Written protests or appeals must be submitted to the County Extension Educator. The staff person will convene the committee for their deliberation.
b. Written protests or appeals must include the following:
1) Names of persons involved
2) Nature of concerns
3) Situation and documentation
4) Recommendations for correction
5) Specific action, rule, etc. in question
6) Additional persons – committee may contact for further clarification
7) Procedures and/or steps carried out by person involved prior to submission of the protest to the Extension Educator.
c. The committee will review the written protest. They may discuss the situation with anyone they feel has knowledge of the situation. The committee’s recommendation or decision will be communicated both verbally and in writing to the group or individuals affected. The committee will recommend appropriate action to the Extension Staff in writing prior to communicating with the affected group or individual.
d. In cases of protest the exhibitor may be allowed to show pending the results of the committee’s decision. Results of this showing may be subject to change based on the outcome of the protest process.
e. The committee reserves the right to withhold premium and/or award. The exhibitor may be excluded from the show if action warrants.
f. The appeals process is limited to the 4-H exhibitor, parent and/or volunteer leader.
Protests will not be accepted after the exhibit is released from the County Fair. Protest related to judges’ integrity, decisions, placing and/or other evaluations will not be accepted.
L. Disclaimer of Responsibility at County Fair
1. Exhibits – 4-H exhibits at County Fair are entered and displayed at the risk of the 4-H member. Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development, in cooperation with the County Ag Society accepts exhibits and will exercise due care to protect them. However, 4-H and the County Ag Society cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage that may occur to exhibits or exhibitors. 4-H members who have exhibits of great sentimental and/or monetary value should carefully consider whether such exhibits should be exposed to the hazards of the fair.
2. Patrons/Participants – While the greatest possible care will be exercised by the County Ag Society to protect patrons/participants of the County Fair, each individual will be held personally responsible for any injury, accident and/or loss.
3. Substance Abuse – Possession of tobacco, alcoholic beverages or drugs (except for medical purposes) by any exhibitor who is participating in 4-H at the County Fair will result in immediate disqualification of that exhibitor’s entry.
M. Insurance
Accident insurance (medical) is carried on 4-H members in the Cedar 4-H program. A report of all accidents must be made to the 4-H Office on the Fairgrounds or the Extension Office at the Courthouse within 24 hours after the accident. Your claim must be filed with the Extension Office within 10 days after the accident.
N. Ribbons and Premiums Awarded
In 4-H, exhibits are judged according to research-based standards that indicate level of performance or quality of work. Purple ribbons designate an exhibit of superior quality that has met and exceeded all of the standards. Blue ribbons denote an above average exhibit that has met almost all of the standards in a way that surpasses the norm. Red ribbons indicate average quality and indicate that the exhibit has met the majority of standards in such a way that the benchmark was reached, but not exceeded. White ribbons indicate that the exhibit has not met the majority of the standards. Clover Kid ribbons denote participation. A participation ribbon is recognition of the 4-H exhibit’s presence at the fair. Exhibits must be either purple or blue quality to be named champion or reserve champion and/or qualify for related special awards. Must have 3 or more exhibitors to award some of the Special awards. Special awards include trophies, plaques, medals, cash or gifts. Premiums are Purple $ 3.00, Blue $ 2.00, Red, White, or Participation $ 1.00 unless noted differently. Large livestock is Purple $ 6.00, Blue $ 5.00, Red and White $ 4.00.
All Static Exhibits Must Have Received a Purple at County Fair to Advance to the State Fair.
O. Forfeit of Premium
Exhibitors may be asked to forfeit their premium money under the following situations if not previously approved by the 4-H Council.
1. Late 4-H enrollment
2. Late project enrollment
3. Late pre-fair entry sheets
4. For not meeting the Dress Code requirements for a specific event
5. Removing exhibits without the proper paperwork
P. Drop One Ribbon Placing
Exhibitors may be dropped one ribbon placing under the following situations:
1. For entering an incomplete project
2. For entering a complete project that does not follow the specified dimensions, requirements, etc. for the project (ex. Display board too large)
Q. No Firearms or Items With a Blade
(BROAD HEADS, KNIVES, SAWS, ETC.) OR RELATED ITEMS OF ANY OTHER KIND, MAY BE EXHIBITED. This applies to actual items, replicated items, and item parts. Shooting sports accessories are permissible as described in Conservation, Wildlife and Shooting Sports section.
R. Use of Copywritten Images
Copyrighted writing, artwork, videos, and images may be used in 4-H educational exhibits under Fair Use for educational purposes of Copyright Law. In order to qualify for Fair Use, 4-H’ers must; 1) only use a small amount of the copy-written work, 2) add new meaning to the work to make it original, 3) rework it and use it in a totally different way, and 4) use it for non-profit purposes (not to make money). Giving credit to the original creator is also recommended.
S. Advertising
The distribution of advertising matter is strictly prohibited and tacking of advertising matter on buildings will not be permitted. Exhibitors may distribute advertising matter from their place of exhibit only.
T. Security
The 4-H Exhibit Building will be closed and locked at night. There may be supervisors when the building is open to provide security. The Extension Office is not responsible if they do not show up.
U. Camping
Trailer parking available. Contact an Ag Society officer for more information.
V. Violation of Rules
Exhibitor is subject to loss of premium monies, ribbons, other awards and/or elimination from the show.
1. No person except the judges on duty, ring assistants, officers of the County Ag Society and exhibitors will be allowed inside the arena during the judging of entries.
2. No person shall be allowed to interfere with a judge; any exhibitor who, by letter or otherwise, does so will be excluded from competition.
3. If the County Ag Society is provided with satisfactory information that a premium has been obtained by fraud, then such premium shall be withheld for disobedience to the rules of the County Ag Society.
W. Disqualification/Judging
Area superintendents have the authority to determine eligibility/ineligibility of an exhibit entry in their division. All ineligible items will not be judged and will not be displayed.