Dawes General Fair Rules

General 4-H Rules: 

  1. Eligibility of Exhibitors: Exhibitors are limited to boys and girls who are enrolled in 4-H in Dawes County by June 15th. Age is based on how old the youth was before January 1st, of the current year.
  • Clover Kids: 5 - 7
  • Junior Division: 8 - 10
  • Intermediate Division: 11 - 13
  • Senior Division: 14 - 18
  1. 4-H members must have been enrolled in the 4-H by June 15th. Exhibits must be the result of 4-H projects since the last county fair.
  2. Responsibility for Entry: The responsibility for making proper entry rests with the exhibitors. It is the responsibility of the exhibitors of livestock that an appropriate ownership affidavit was submitted by the deadline date to the NE Extension Office.
  3. Deadline Dates for 2026:
  • 4-H Enrollment: Make checks payable to Dawes County 4-H Council
  • October 1st – June 15th: Fee: $5.00
  • 4-H Project Enrollment Deadline June 15th – MEMBERS MUST BE ENROLLED IN 4-H BY JUNE 15th TO BE ELIGIBLE TO COMPETE AT THE COUNTY AND STATE FAIRS.
  • Animal Affidavits Deadline June 15th – This includes the following species: Rabbit, Breeding Heifer, Market Beef, Feeder Calf, Bucket Calf, Dairy, Breeding Ewe, Market Lamb, Breeding Doe, Market Goat, Dairy Goat, Market Swine, and Horse. Swine affidavits must be accompanied by two photos properly identifying the project swine with the tag clearly visible in the ear. Photo one should show the complete swine and photo two should be a close-up of the tag in the swine’s ear. *New in 2019- A Beef Breeder affidavit signed by the breeder of the animal will be required for youth to turn in when they turn in their affidavits. If there is no beef breeder animal affidavit, will be placed in All Other Breed class.
  • REMEMBER – proper identification of project animals ensures that members are getting the full benefit of the 4-H Program, learning to properly care for and work with an animal through the year.
  • Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Deadline: June 15th
  • Dawes County Fair Registration Deadline July 1st. Late entries will be accepted from July 2nd - July 10th with a fee. Late fee per member: Static $25 / Livestock $50. Maximum late fee per member is $50. ABSOLUTELY NO FAIR ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER JULY 10th!!
  1. DRESS CODE: 4-H livestock (excluding horse), small animal, and static exhibitors are required to wear a plain white shirt (collar button only may be left undone) OR an official Dawes County 4-H T-shirt (this includes the new Farm Credit t-shirt), blue jeans (no holes), and closed toed shoes or boots. Livestock exhibitors must wear hard-soled shoes or boots. Dairy and dairy goat exhibitors may wear dark blue jeans or white pants. No club identification, hats, caps or other types of headgear are to be worn. Neckties are permissible in horse events only. Horse exhibitors are required to follow the dress code outlined in the official 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide. It is an honor and privilege to wear proper attire and is an early education to dressing appropriately for job interviews. First impressions are extremely important so dressing appropriately and being neat and clean reflecting an image of success. Dress code violation reduces placing by one ribbon.
  2. Authority: Each Division Superintendent shall have the authority to make all decisions within their respective areas in accordance with rules and regulations set forth in this premium list.
  3. Only those market animals exhibited at the fair will be eligible for the sale.
  4. Interview Judging:
  • 4-H members entering static exhibits are encouraged to participate in interview judging. This allows them to discuss their 4-H exhibits directly with the judge and describe the process they took preparing their project. In addition, interview judging will give judges an opportunity to provide positive input and helpful suggestions to the 4-H member.
  • Interview judging is optional and there will be no deduction in ribbon placing for those not participating.
  • Parents/guardians are allowed to listen to the interview process between the youth and the judge. However, they are asked not to interfere with or offer comments during the interview process.
  1. Protest Committee/Grievance Procedure: 

Adopted on October 14, 2014 – Addition of the County Grievance Policy. 

In accordance with state policy 2.7.5. 

  • The NE Extension Staff in Dawes County, together with the Dawes County 4-H Council, who will serve as the Protest Committee, has the authority to make appropriate decisions on local 4-H disputes. These decisions will be formulated using state policy and national directives as formulated by this policy or as dictated by law.
  • All protests must be submitted in writing and signed by the protester.
  • The written protest must include: 

-Name of persons involved 

-Cause of complaint or appeal 

-Situation and documentation 

-Recommendations for correction 

-Specific action, rule, etc., in question 

-Additional persons the committee may contact for further clarification 

-Procedures and/or steps carried out by the person involved prior to submission of the protest to the Dawes County 4-H Council. 

  • Membership of the Protest Committee is made up of the Dawes County 4-H Council Board.
  • Protests will not be accepted after the exhibit or event / activity is completed / released. For example, an issue at fair will not be accepted as a protest after fair has ended and everything has been released.
  • The protest will be acknowledged after receiving the written protest and will be responded to in a timely manner.
  • Protests related to judges’ integrity, decision, placings, or other evaluations will not be accepted.
  • The committee will review the written protest. They may call for a face-to-face meeting with affected persons and event leadership to discuss the situation and the official ruling. Recommendations will be developed, followed, and communicated both verbally and in writing to the individual or group affected.
  • Failure of the protester to attend the face-to-face meeting with the Protest Committee will result in no action.
  • In cases of protest, the 4-H member/parent/leader may continue to participate. Results of participation will be subject to change based on the outcome of the protest process.
  • The Protest Committee and Event Leadership reserve the right to withhold any award. The 4-H member/parent/leader may be excluded from 4-H if action warrants.
  1. APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND MANAGEMENT: Exhibitors shall at all times demonstrate honesty, good sportsmanship and comply with the 4-H Code of Conduct. Inappropriate behavior or project management by exhibitors, family members or others could result in disqualification of entry and/or exhibitor. All complaints of violations should be put in writing and signed. The 4-H Executive Council will review all submissions and take appropriate action.
  2. STATE FAIR EXHIBITS AND TRIPS:
  • All static exhibits must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.
  • Where presence of the 4-H member is required, participants must be 8 years of age before January 1st, of the current year. Where presence of the 4-H member is not required, they must be 8 years of age before January 1st, of the current year.
  1. RIBBONS, AWARDS AND TROPHIES: Nebraska 4-H system utilizes a “group” or “Danish” approach to awarding ribbons. The group or Danish method is a method of evaluating entries or exhibits in a particular class or contest according to the standards developed for that class or contest. All exhibits in this approach are judged in comparison with a standard as opposed to comparison with other exhibits in a class. The standard for each exhibit is established by the characteristics of the “ideal” product in each category. If the performance of 4-H members is being evaluated, consideration of their age and/or development and experience must be taken into account. The entries, exhibits, or contestants are evaluated and arranged into groups for recognition of their achievement based upon how close the exhibit meets the pre-established standards. After evaluation of each item in the class, the entire class may be subdivided into four groups according to their own merit. The groupings or ribbons are as follows:
  • Purple (Superior): A purple is awarded to those entries that far exceed the average standard or meet the standards established for that particular class. This award indicates a near perfect exhibit.
  • Blue (Excellent): A blue is awarded to those entries that exceed the average standard. This award indicates a certain degree of excellence that exceeds the average expectation and may be given to multiple participants.
  • Red (Good): A red is awarded to those entries that meet the average standard or are slightly below the average standard established for that respective class. The general level of accomplishment meets expectations but is less than excellent. Shortcomings are found in certain aspects to cause this ranking.
  • White (Fair): A white is awarded to those entries that do not meet average standard. The level of accomplishment is less than expected. A ranking of white is deserved due to the severe shortcoming from the good standard.
  • Participation Ribbons: 4-H Clover Kids (ages 5-7) who are prohibited from participating in any competitive events will be awarded multi-colored participation ribbons with no connotation of placement.
  • Champion and Reserve Rosettes: Division /Class category champions/reserve champions (as specified by the Fairbook) will receive large rosettes (purple for Champion, pink for Reserve Champion). “Best of Show” rosettes will be awarded to the Overall Champion in the static and livestock exhibits where multiple divisions and classes are under one specific heading. Example: Grand Champion Market Beef or Grand Champion Photography I, II, or III. Overall Awards will not be given in any class that does not show a purple or blue exhibit.
  • Award Stickers: As a cost saving measure, award stickers signifying the ribbon placing will be attached to all static entry cards and given to all livestock exhibitors to be placed on stall cards. Traditional ribbons will be given to any exhibitor upon request. Rainbow Ribbons will still be given to all Clover Kids.
  • 4-H PREMIUMS:
  • Grand Champion: $3.00
  • Reserve Champion: $2.50
  • Purple: $2.00
  • Blue: $1.50
  • Red: $1.00
  • White: $0.75 

STATIC EXHIBIT SILENT AUCTION & CREATIVE CHEFS SILENT AUCTION & LIVE CAKE AUCTION: 

General Rules: 

  1. Any 4-H member, age 8-18 as of January 1st may sell in the Static Exhibit Silent Auction.
  2. Youth must have entered a static and/or foods exhibit for judging at the Dawes County Fair and been enrolled in a project for which eligible auction items are allowed in order to participate in silent auction.
  3. 3% will be withheld from each exhibitor’s check as sale commission. The commission will be used to pay for advertising.
  4. Eligible items for the silent auction include: all static exhibits.
  5. Live Cake Auction (Monday, July 27th) - Champions and Reserve Champions in the senior (ages 12-18) creatively decorated cake and junior (ages 8- 11) creatively decorated will be auctioned in the Live Cake Auction. Youth have to be awarded champion or reserve champion to be sold in the Live Cake Auction. 
  6. Creative Chefs Silent Auction. (Monday, July 27th) - Eligible items for the silent auction include: simple cakes, pies, or fancy decorated cakes. Cupcakes, cookies, and breads will NOT be eligible. 
  7. Youth may only sell two items in the entire static building.
  8. If youth wish to auction a static exhibit item or eligible foods item, youth must mark that they plan to sell an item on their fair registration form due July 1st. A specific class number does not need to be marked. Youth will need to let Extension Office know shortly after results are posted which item or items they plan to sell. Items sold in auction WILL NOT be eligible for State Fair.
  9. Winning bids are to write their checks to Dawes 4-H Foundation. Youth will receive their money after county fair.  

Dawes County Fair Book