4-H and Fair Calendar and Deadlines

ADAMS COUNTY 4-H / FAIR

CALENDAR and DEADLINES

Adams County 4-H Fair July 17 - July 21, 2024

And 4-H Livestock Auction – July 22, 2024

Board Meetings - Held Monthly on day listed (unless otherwise posted). Anyone may attend these meetings. 

    4-H Council – 1st Monday @ 7:00 PM

    Ag Society – 2nd Tuesday @ 7:30 PM

    Extension Board – Bimonthly @ TBA

 

Wednesday, February 14

  • 4-H Early Bird Enrollment Manual Incentive, Online by 11:59 PM

Sunday, February 25

  • Beef Weigh Day – 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM @ Hastings Animal Clinic
  • Participation is Optional for Beef Weigh Day (required for Rate of Gain Contest)
  • County Fair – weighed, 4-H ear tag in eligible animals and ID sheets taken
  • Market Steers/Heifers
  • Bucket Calf (2nd Year) Market Steers/Heifers
  • State Fair - All eligible EID Tags, DNA samples taken if desired

Friday, March 15

  • Dogs – attending Obedience Classes – Fees and Vaccination Form by 5:00 PM @ Extension Office before classes begin 

Sunday, April 7

  • Shooting Sports Celebration – 5:00 PM @ Fairgrounds

Monday, April 15

  • 4-H Early Enrollment T-Shirt Incentive – Online by 11:59 PM
  • Market Broilers Orders due by 5:00 PM @ Extension Office 
  • Bucket Calf (1st Year) – Birth January 1st – April 15th and 4-H Ear Tag obtained.

Tuesday, April 16

  • Speech / PSA / Performing Arts / Presentation Contests – 6:00 PM @ Extension Office 

Wednesday, April 24

  • Flower Barrel Workshop – 7:00 PM @ Fairgrounds

Friday, May 3

  • Sheep & Goat Weigh Day – 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM @ Fairgrounds
  • Participation is Optional for Sheep/Meat Goat Weigh Day (required for Rate of Gain Contest)
  • County Fair – weighed, 4-H ear tag and have Scrapie tag in eligible animals and IDs taken.
  • Market Sheep
  • Market Meat Goats
  • State Fair - All eligible Animal IDs, Scrapies Tag, DNA samples taken if desired.

Thursday, May 30

  • South Central Livestock Judging Contest @ Bladen
  • Horticulture Contest @ 6:30 PM @ Extension Office.

Friday, May 31

Saturday, June 1

  • State Horse Show – Entries & Fees Due Online by Family by 5:00 PM CT (see State 4-H website for details)

Monday, June 3 (due to June 1st being Saturday)

  • Livestock ID Forms for County Fair completed and Due by 5:00 PM @ Extension Office

Beef – Market Steer, Heifers 

Beef – Breeding Heifers 

Beef – Stocker/Feeder Calf

Beef – Cow and Calf

Bucket Calf (1st Year)

Bucket Calf (2nd Year) Market and Breeding Heifers

Dairy Cattle 

Clover Kid Exhibition Animals (All)

Goats – Market Meat

Goats – Breeding Meat

Goats – Dairy 

Goats – Pygmy 

Horse – County Fair and State Horse Show

Sheep – Market Lambs

Sheep – Breeding 

Swine – Market

  • Vaccination Forms turned in:

Cats

Dogs Showing Only at County or State Fair

Dog Obedience Clover Kids Exhibition

Ferrets

  • Premise ID on File in the Extension Office
  • State Fair - All eligible Animal IDs, DNA samples should be in the County Office before 5:00 PM (this will allow the Office Staff time to verify animals and to correct any problems before the state’s final deadline).
  • 4-H T-Shirts for purchase - ordered and paid by 5:00 PM @ Extension Office 
  • Regional Dairy Show Entries & ID forms due by 5:00 PM in Adams County (office will send into Clay County)

Wednesday, June 5

  • Tree ID Contest – 6:30 PM @ Extension Office 

Monday, June 10

  • Adams/Clay/Webster County Camp – 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM @ Crystal Lake, Ayr

Wednesday, June 12

  • Bowling Tournament – 5:30 PM @ Pastime Lanes 

Friday, June 14 

  • DNA Samples Deadline - for State Fair ALL Livestock possibilities (except Poultry and Rabbit) - Market and Breeding Animals: Beef, Sheep, Goat, Swine, Feeder Calves must be in the Extension Office by 5:00 PM 

Saturday, June 15

  • Pre-Fair Entry required – Online, no paper forms accepted must be completed by 11:59 PM (late entries will be subject to Penalty)
  • Livestock Exhibits including Clover Kids animals
    • Club Pen of 3 or 5 – pre-entered by Club Leader only
  • Ice Cream Contest entries
  • Ice Cream in A Bag Event entries
  • Best Dressed Goat Contest entries 
  • Food Review Contest entries
  • 4-H Culinary Challenge Contest entries
  • Static Exhibits – for early Entry Tags printed (no Horticulture/Floriculture)
  • Contests like Fashion Show, Livestock Judging, Insect ID, or any Skillathons are highly encouraged but not required.
  • Nebraska 4-H Enrollment Deadline for participation.
  • State Fair Livestock Nominations (no late entries accepted)
  • State Fair Online Registration/Nomination and fees paid by family for eligible animals – Market: Beef, Sheep, Meat Goats, Swine, Feeder Calves and for Breeding Animals: Beef, Sheep, Meat Goats, Swine eligible animals at https://showstockmgr.com/

Monday, June 17(due to 15th being Saturday)

  • YQCA Completion Certificates Due by 5:00 PM @ Extension Office 
  • Horse Advancement Levels for County Fair Horse Show Only passed by 5:00 PM @ Extension Office 

Monday-Tuesday, June 17-18

  • State Speech/PSA Contest @ UNL
  • State Presentation Contest @ UNL

Thurs-Fri, June 20, 21

  • PASE @ UNL

Thursday, June 20

  • Rocket Contest – 6:00 PM @ Fairgrounds 

Saturday, June 22

  • Regional Dairy Show – 10:00 AM @ Clay Center

Monday, July 1

  • Superintendents Meetings – 6:00 PM Static & 7:00 PM Livestock @ Extension Office
  • 4-H Council Meeting – 8:00 PM @ Extension Office

Wednesday, July 10

  • Fashion Show – Judging starts 9:00 AM @ Fairgrounds – North End
  • Public Fashion Show 7:00 PM @ Fairgrounds – North End
  • Food Review Contest & 4-H Culinary Challenge Contest 
  • Setup - 1:30 PM @ Fairgrounds
  • Judging begins -2:30 AM @ Fairgrounds
  • FCS Judging Contest – during Fashion Show Judging and Food Review @ Fairgrounds

Friday, July 12

  • Fair Set Up – Livestock 5:00 PM & Static Exhibit Hall 6:30 PM @ Fairgrounds

Week of July 13 - July 17

  • State 4-H Horse Show - Grand Island
     

Saturday, July, 13

  • Darrel Stromer Memorial Fair Parade – 10:00 AM @ Juniata Days

Sunday, July 14

  • STATIC EXHIBITS – May be entered between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM (in the Activity Center) at the Fairgrounds.  Use the West Doors of the Breezeway of the Activities Center. Exhibits not pre-entered must get Entry tag before taking exhibit to check-in.
  • PERISHABLE ITEMS – Food, Horticulture, Floriculture exhibits are recommended for Monday entry.

Monday, July 15

  • 4-H STATIC ENTRY DAY – ALL 4-H Static exhibits must be entered between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM (in the Activity Center) at the Fairgrounds.  Use the West Doors of the Breezeway of the Activities Center. Exhibits not pre-entered must get Entry tag before taking exhibit to check-in. Late entries will be lowered a ribbon placing.
  • PERISHABLE ITEMS – Food, Horticulture, Floriculture exhibits are recommended to be brought now.
  • FLOWER BARREL CONTEST ENTRIES – must be entered with the Superintendent between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM – North side of the Activities Center – in correct division marked area.
  • OVERSIZED EXHIBITS – Prior to Static Entry Day, arrangements with Extension Staff must be made by Thursday before Static Entry Day for early displaying of the Exhibit. (Restored vehicle, large woodworking items, dog houses, etc.)
  • INTERVIEW JUDGING will be conducted during the day in the Activities Center for those 4-H'ers who have arranged an interview time. Areas of Interview Judging are all areas but Foods and Food Preservation.
  • SHOW & TELL will be conducted when Clover Kids enter their exhibits with the superintendent.
  • OPEN CLASS – Enter all Open Class exhibits – Noon to 8:00 PM.

 

Tuesday, July 16

  • LIVESTOCK must be entered and stalled according to 4-H Council guidelines. SHEEP, MEAT GOATS, PYGMY GOATS, SWINE and BEEF including Clover Kid Animal Entries (except Cow-calf pairs & Stocker Feeders) must be entered and stalled by weigh in time on Tuesday Entry Day.  Animals (except Rabbits or Poultry) can be stalled starting at 7:00 AM on Tuesday Entry Day.  Cow-calf pairs, & Stocker Feeders may be entered following Beef Stalling Times or any time before 7:30 AM on Beef Show Day. Cow-calf pairs, Stocker Feeders and Clover Kid Animals have the option to leave the grounds after their show and after being released by the superintendent.
  • FAIR WEIGH IN TIMES OF ANIMALS – Swine weigh-in will begin immediately between 7:00 AM until 9:00 AM. Sheep, and Meat Goats weigh-in will begin at 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM (Sheep & Goats weighed together) Beef will begin weighing in at 8:00 PM. Clover Kid animals must be weighed in with the correct species. Weigh In will end at appointed time or when the last pre-entered animal is weighed, whichever comes first. 
  • 4-H POULTRY AND RABBITS including Clover Kid Entries must be entered between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM on Tuesday Entry Day (except for Market Broilers). MARKET BROILERS: can begin being entered at 7:00 AM but must be entered by 7:45 AM on Show Day, Friday, July 21st. Check In will end at appointed time or when the last pre-entered animal is entered, whichever comes first.
  • PYGMY GOATS must be entered and stalled between 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Livestock Entry Day and remain on fairgrounds until Sunday release.
  • HORSES that are being stalled on the fairgrounds must be entered by 8:00 PM on Tuesday’s Livestock Entry Day. All other horses must be on the grounds at least one hour prior to the beginning of the show for check-in on Show Day, Saturday, July 20th.
  • If you must stall or cage your animals before the assigned time, you must obtain Extension Educator/Assistant and superintendent’s approval.

 

Wednesday, July 17 (All times after day’s beginning times are approximate)

  • Swine Show – 8:00 AM – 4-H Livestock Arena

        Market Swine

        Swine Showmanship

  • Rabbit Show – 8:00 AM – Tent by Small Animals Barn

        Rabbit Classes 

        Rabbit Showmanship

  • Rabbit Skillathon Contest – Small Animals Barn – will be conducted at the same time as the Rabbit Show.
  • Opening Ceremonies – 5:30 PM – Community Service Building Park
  • Grand and Reserve Champion Static Exhibit Recognition Parade – 5:30 PM – Community Service Building Park. Photos taken immediately after the recognition parade @ 6:00 PM in the North Conference Room of the Activities Center

 

Thursday, July 18 (All times after day’s beginning times are approximate)

  • Sheep Show – 8:00 AM – 4-H Livestock Arena

        Breeding Sheep Show

        Market Sheep Show 

        Sheep Showmanship

  • Cat & Small Animals Show – 2:00 PM – North End of Activities Center.  Check-In time 1:00 PM

        Cat Showmanship

        Small Animal Showmanship 

        Clover Kid Pet Exhibition

  • First/Second Year Bucket Calf Interviews – 3:00 PM – North Conference Room of Activities Center (Record book due in the 4-H Livestock Office by 8:00 AM)
  • Clover Kids Livestock Exhibition Show – 5:00 PM – 4-H Livestock Arena

        Rabbit

        Poultry

        Bucket Calf

        Halter Lamb

        Lead Goat

        Swine

 

Friday, July 19 (All times after day’s beginning times are approximate)

  • Market Broiler Show – 8:00 AM – Tent by Small Animals Barn – Check-In time 7:00 – 7:45 AM
  • Poultry Show – Immediately follow the Market Broiler Show - Tent by Small Animals Barn

        Poultry Showmanship

  • Poultry Skillathon Contest – Small Animals Barn – will be conducted at the same time as the Poultry Show 
  • Beef Show – 8:00 AM – 4-H Livestock Arena

        Market Beef 

        Breeding Beef (including Cow-Calf)

        Second Year Bucket Calf 

        Stocker Feeder

        Beef Showmanship

        First Year Bucket Calf

  • Ice Cream in a Bag Team Event – 3:00 PM – North End of Activities Center
  • Clover Kids Ranch Rodeo – Immediately Following Ice Cream in a Bag – North End of Activities Center
  • Ice Cream in a Can Contest – 4:00 PM – North End of Activities Center 
  • Photos – 5:00 PM – North Conference Room of Activities Center

 

Saturday, July 20 (All times after day’s beginning times are approximate)

  • 4-H Horse Show – Check-In time – 7:00 AM – Non-Timed events begin – 8:00 AM– Horse Arena
  • Unified Riding – 12:00 PM – Horse Arena
  • 4-H Horse Show – Timed Events and Keyhole – following the Unified Riding – Horse Arena
  • Goat Show – 8:00 AM – 4-H Livestock Arena

        Pygmy Goat Does

        Pygmy Goat Wether

        Breeding Meat Goats

        Market Meat Goats

        Goat Showmanship

  • Best Dressed Goat Contest – following the Goat Show – 4-H Livestock Arena
  • Dog Show – 9:00 AM– North End of Activities Center - Check-In time 8:00 AM

        Clover Kids Dog Obedience 

        Novice Classes

        Graduate Classes

        Dog Showmanship

        Dog Rally

        Dog Agility

  • Dog Skillathon Contest – North Conference Room of Activities Center – will be conducted at the same time as the Dog Show from 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM.
  • Round Robin Test – 7:00 PM – North Conference Room of Activity Center

Sunday, July 21 (All times after day’s beginning times are approximate)

  • Junior Leader Pancake Feed – 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM – 4-H Livestock Arena
  • Junior Leader Church Service – 9:15 AM – 4-H Livestock Arena
  • Round Robin Livestock Showmanship – 12:00 PM – Indoor Horse Arena 

        Check-In time for contestants – 11:45 AM

  • Livestock Judging Contest – Immediately following Round Robin – 4-H Livestock Arena.  Check-In time – During Round Robin in 4-H Livestock Office.
  • Photos – 4:00 PM – North Conference Room of Activities Center
  • Release of Animals – Poultry, Horses, Rabbits and Pygmy Goats must be removed from fairgrounds between 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
  • Release of Retained Ownership Animals not going through the Livestock Auction – 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. To participate, 4-H’er must sign up within two hours of the end of the respective show.
  • 4-H Dance – 9:30 PM – Community Service Building

Monday, July 22 (All times are approximate)

  • Herdsmanship Awards presented – before start of Auction.
  • 4-H Livestock Auction – 9:00 AM – Livestock Arena – All
  • Release of Livestock – immediately following the auction.  All livestock will need to be released by the superintendent.
  • Release of Static 4-H exhibits – 45 minutes after the end of Livestock Auction or 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM – Activities Center or 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM - Activity Center.

Thursday, July 25

  • Fair Review and Suggestions Survey Sent to Families

Friday, July 26

  • All static exhibits intending to go to State Fair must be identified by 5:00 PM @ Extension Office

Tuesday, August 6

  • Grass & Weed ID Contest – 6:30 PM @ Ochsner Farm 

Thursday, August 8

  • Insect ID Contest – 6:30 PM @ Extension Office

Saturday, August 10

Tuesday, August 20

  • State Fair Static Exhibit - exhibits Due @ Extension Office from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM

Friday, Aug 23 – Monday, September 2

  • Nebraska State Fair @ Grand Island

Wednesday, September 4

  • Pick Up State Fair Static Exhibits @ Extension Office from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Monday, October 7

  • Due by 5:00 PM @ Extension Office 
    • Project Record Books, 
    • County Award Applications, 
    • Diamond Clover Applications 
    • Golden Clover Applications 

Sunday, November 17

  • 4-H Achievement Celebration – TBA

 

State Fair – Deadlines – DNA sample is required for All Livestock except Rabbits and Poultry) in Extension Office, Online: Animal Nomination is June 15th https://showstockmgr.com, Online Entries (In-person and Animal entries) – August 10th. https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair

Aksarben – https://www.aksarbenstockshow.com/ (if an animal is DNA’d and nominated for State Fair they are eligible for Aksarben) all other Animal requirements see their website.

Adams County 2024 Fairbook