Boone County Fair Policies

2026 BOONE COUNTY FAIR POLICIES

1. Superintendents shall have authority to make all decisions within their respective divisions in accordance with the Rules and Regulations. All 4-H/FFA protests must be in writing. Such protests must state plainly the cause of the complaint or appeal, signed and accompanied by a deposit of $100 cash or certified check, which will be forfeited if protest is not sustained and delivered to the Superintendent within 1 hour after the champion is awarded in that class. All decisions by the Protest Committee are subject to final review by the 4-H Council.
2. The respective superintendent has the authority to make appropriate decisions based on the 4-H Exhibitor’s Guide. When needed, the policy committee of at least three (3) but not to exceed six (6) available 4-H Council Members shall be formed to serve as a protest review group. They will meet when needed to act on concerns.
   1. All protests must be submitted in writing and signed.
   2. The written protest must be submitted to the Division Superintendent and MUST include:
      1. Names of persons involved (If names aren’t provided, case is dismissed)
      2. Proof (Example would be pictures)
      3. Nature of concerns
      4. Situation and documentation
      5. Recommendations for correction
      6. Specific action, rule, etc., in question
      7. Additional persons committee may contact for further clarification
      8. Procedures and/or steps carried out by person involved prior to submission of the protest to the Division Superintendent
   3. The committee will review the written protest. They may discuss the situation with appropriate people and Division Superintendent. The recommendations will be followed and communicated both verbally and in written form to the individual or individuals affected.
   4. In case of protest, the exhibitor MAY OR MAY NOT be allowed to show, but results of showing will be subject to change based on the outcome of the protest process. This allows for smooth operation of the show and facilitates appropriate processing.
   5. The 4-H Council reserves the right to withhold premium and/or award. The exhibitor may be excluded from the show if action warrants.
   6. Protests related to judges’ decisions, placings, or other evaluations will not be accepted.
3. Use or possession of alcoholic beverages or drugs (except for medical purposes) by any exhibitor who is participating in the Boone County Fair will result in immediate disqualification of that exhibitor’s entries.
4. 4-H exhibits at the Boone County Fair are entered and displayed at the risk of the 4-H member. Every article or animal upon the grounds shall be under the control of the Fair Board and the 4-H Council during the fair. While every precaution will be taken for the safe keeping of the same, the Board and Council will in no way be responsible for any loss or damage that may occur.
5. Only one item is entered per entry number unless stated otherwise in the exhibitor’s guide. Please pre-enter everything you wish to take to the fair as it helps to avoid confusion at fair time. Don’t forget to pre-enter activities that you wish to participate in, such as showmanship, etc.
6. STATE FAIR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXHIBITORS - An exhibitor must be enrolled in 4-H by June 15 of the current year in the county which he/she represents. In classes where presence of the 4-H member is required for judging purposes, such as animal exhibits, judging contests, presentations, and fashion show, a 4-H member must be 8 before January 1 of the current year or become 9 years of age during the current year. The last year of eligibility is the calendar year the member becomes 19. For classes where presence of the 4-H member is not required, the exhibitor must become 9 years of age during the current year, therefore, they must be 8 before January 1 of the current year. All static exhibits must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.
7. Livestock Premium Sale:

• The market animal or breeding animal of the following classes:

Market Heifer                   Market Steer                       Breeding Beef    Bucket Calf (4-H youth age 8-18) 

Feeder Calf                       Market Broiler Pen of 3       Market Ewe                                 Market Wether

Breeding Sheep               Market Goat                        Breeding Meat Goat                   Dairy Goat Market 

Turkey Pair of 2               Dairy Animal                        Market Swine                              Breeding Swine

will be sold through the livestock premium sale and the champion will set the ceiling bid for the sale of that class of animal. Each livestock exhibitor is allowed to sell TWO (2) animals for the special premium. In the event that an exhibitor has more than two (2) grand champions and sells the two (2) of their choice, then the reserve champion animal of the classes listed above above has to sell through the livestock premium sale and will be used to set the ceiling bid for its appropriate class.

• The highest bid for red, blue, and purple ribbon livestock, including the reserve champion, cannot exceed the premium bid for the champion.
• Bucket calves exhibited by 4-H members age 8-18 before January 1 of the current year are eligible for the premium sale.
• Feeder calves are eligible for the premium sale.
• 2026 Sale Order: Market Beef, Breeding Beef, Feeder Calf, Bucket Calf, Market Sheep, Breeding Sheep, Market Goat, Breeding Meat Goat, Dairy Goat, Market Turkey Pen of 2, Dairy Animal, Market Swine, Breeding Swine, Market Broiler Pen of 3.
• The livestock will be sold for a premium bid only. With the premium bid procedure, the exhibitor retains ownership of the beef, meat goat, hog, lamb, broiler, and turkey.
• Auction will follow the regular bidding procedures of the auctioneer until the ceiling price is reached or there are no more bids.
• Exhibitors, parents and other individuals who interfere with any aspect of the livestock auction before, during or after, will forfeit premiums, awards and auction proceeds. This includes harassment of buyers involved with the livestock auction.

1. Exhibitors of registered animals must present registration certificates to the show superintendent for inspection to compete in the purebred classes.
2. Items entered at the fair must be completed during the current project year and not previously entered.
3. Age requirement: A 4-H/FFA member must have reached his or her 8th birthday but have not passed his or her 19th birthday before January 1 of the current calendar year.
4. Exhibitors failing to comply with any and all rules in this Exhibitor’s Guide are subject to premium cancellation, and disqualification from current and future participation in the Boone County Fair.

• Following a determination that an exhibitor has been disqualified and/or a premium has been withheld

from the exhibitor for a rules infraction, that exhibitor shall receive written notification of the determination to include an explanation of the reasons for the determination and any resulting disciplinary action.

• If the exhibitor believes additional information may warrant re-examination of the decision, he or she may submit a request for reconsideration. The request for reconsideration shall be in writing, and must include a detailed explanation of why the decision should be reviewed and, where appropriate, documentation supporting the explanation. All reconsideration requests must be received by the Boone County Extension Office, 2624 Fairgrounds Rd, Albion NE 68620 within 10 days of the exhibitor’s receipt of the notification of disqualification or withholding of premiums. Decisions regarding reconsideration requests will be at the sole discretion of the Boone County 4-H Council Executive Committee and shall be final. The exhibitor will be promptly notified in writing of the Executive Committee’s final determination.

4-H/FFA COUNTY FAIR EXHIBITOR POLICIES

• The responsibility for making proper entry rests with the exhibitor. It is her/his duty to make sure that the entry submitted is proper and accurate to the best of his/her knowledge.
• Ribbon Awards - The exhibits will be 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.
• Any livestock, horse, or small animal entry must be awarded a first or second purple ribbon in its class to be eligible to compete for champion or reserve champion. In classes having a small number of entries or no purple ribbons awarded, the trophy or rosette may be awarded to the top blue ribbon exhibitor at the judge's discretion.
• An animal must be shown by the 4-H/FFA owner who entered it unless the exhibitor has been excused because of health reasons or other conflicts considered acceptable and excused by the superintendent in charge of that division. The substitute showman must be eligible to exhibit (4-H Member).
• An exhibitor who has more than one animal in a class need not secure approval for another exhibitor to show the additional animal in the same class.
• The livestock superintendents have the right to dismiss any animal that for health, public or personal, or any other reasons should not be exhibited.
• GROOMING OF LIVESTOCK - This grooming rule includes ALL beef, swine, sheep, goats and dairy animals (showmanship, market and breeding).
  • The only people allowed to clip, groom, brush and comb 4-H/FFA cattle, hogs, sheep and goats at the Boone County Fair are Boone County 4-H livestock exhibitors and exhibitors’ family (parents/guardian, siblings, aunt/ uncle, 1st cousins, etc.) If anyone is caught violating this, they will be stripped of the award and the right to go to the premium sale. The Policy Committee has the final say in this.
  • Friends and family members ARE allowed to help with any and all daily chores EXCEPT clipping and grooming.
  • BLOW & GO: All beef, swine, sheep, and goats (showmanship, market, and breeding) will be shown Blow & Go. Animals may be clipped, blown, brushed or combed to enhance their appearance. Guidelines for the Blow & Go Show:
• All animals will be shown free of any adhesive, glue, paint, or powder products.
• Any compounds that have adhesive qualities that when applied cannot be combed or brushed through, or alter the color of the animal are forbidden. These products include, but are not limited to commonly used adhesives and 
• colorants such as Prime Time, EZ Comb, Tail Adhesive, Natural Hold, Ultra White Touch-Up, Black Touch-Up, Black Finisher, black show foam, and baby powder.
• Alcohol, water, oil, foam or any water or alcohol-based products with no adhesives or glue qualities, or artificial colorings are permitted. These products include conditioners and commonly used sprays such as Kleen Sheen, Revive, Final Bloom, Pink Oil, white show foam, Freshen Up, Silk, and Sudden Impact.
  • GROOMING - All beef, swine, sheep, goats and dairy animals will be subject to visual inspection and toweling (before and/or after entering the show ring) using a disposable paper towel for the presence of adhesive, glue, paint, or powder products. Toweling of the animal may include, but is not limited to, the topline, legs, chest, belly, flank, and cod/udder areas.
• The judge has the right to notify show management of any violation of said rules, therefore qualifying the animal to be lowered one ribbon placing.
• Exhibitors will be asked to submit a signed affidavit certifying they know and understand these rules.
• All blocking chutes/stands must be in designated area inside the facility.
• Stall/Pen Cleanup - If stall/pen cleanup does not pass the inspection of the superintendent or other designated person in that area, the exhibitor will forfeit HALF of their premium.
• Animal Abuse:
  • Animals that have been abused will be eliminated from the show.
  • Animal Abuse: Use of artificial stimulants or any other excessive direct abuse.
• Only one entry per class number except livestock, dog, poultry, and rabbit classes.
• Dress Code:
• In all events/classes where an exhibitor’s presence is required, the exhibitor (4-H/FFA) is required to wear the official approved County 4-H/FFA T-Shirt with sponsor name on back. This would even include interview judging of static exhibits. The only exception to this rule are exhibitors participating in Favorite Foods Review, Music, and Presentation Contests. These exhibitors have the option of wearing business casual with the official 4-H chevron or FFA emblem attached.
• Horse exhibitors must follow the dress code cited in the current version of the “Nebraska 4-H Horse Show & Judging Guide”.
• When showing animals, exhibitors must wear the required official County 4-H/FFA t-shirt. Blue jeans are appropriate. Hats shall not be worn when in the show ring.
• Failure to adhere to dress code will result in lowering a ribbon placing.
• Exhibits made in the home economics or agricultural classroom are not eligible in 4-H competition unless the project is a school enrichment project.
• Clover Kids must be 5-7 years of age before January 1 of the current calendar year. Project exhibits will be limited to Department I - Clover Kids, Divisions 100-900. Participation ribbons ONLY will be awarded. Judges comments will be given.
• OWNERSHIP OF ANIMALS & POULTRY - All animals and poultry in the 4-H Show must be owned by the exhibitor who entered it. Any entry not properly identified and nominated is not eligible to be shown at county fair. Animals registered as FFA or 4-H must be documented to the FFA Advisor and/or Extension Office by May 15 to be eligible for county fair. All livestock entries must have been properly identified and nominated on-line to be eligible for the State Fair by June 15.