4-H at the Hamilton County Fair

• 2025 Beef Requirement Chart - shows the steps to be followed to show beef at the 2025 Hamilton County Fair. 
• Beef ID Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Friday, June 13th, 2025. 
  • Families may use one form for multiple youth. 
• Livestock Pre-Fair Entry Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Thursday, July 10th, 2025. 
  • A separate form is required for each youth! All beef, swine, sheep, goat, poultry, and rabbit entries for a youth may be entered on one form. 
  • If you are using Online Entry (preferred), a paper form is not required. 
• Bucket Calf Record Book

For more information or questions about the beef program, contact Emily Soll (4-H Educator) at 402-694-6174 or esoll2@unl.edu. 

Superintendent - Grant Johnson

Premiums - Purple ($9.00), Blue ($7.50), Red ($4.50), White ($3.00)

*4-H members can compete for premium in 5 classes plus showmanship. Other classes will be for ribbon and/or awards. 

Beef Show will be "BLOW & GO." Preparation and grooming of an animal should be the primary responsibility of the exhibitor, however, assistance may be provided by other youth exhibitors and/or immediate family members. 

Beef Shows including Showmanship, Market Beef and Breeding Beef will be Blow and Go; animals may be clipped, blown and brushed or combed to enhance their appearance. Guidelines for the Blow and Go show:

1. Beef animals will be shown free of any adhesive, glue, paint, or powder products.

2. 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, Ultra White Touch-Up, Black Touch-Up, Black Finisher and black show foam.

3.  Alcohol, water, oil, foam or any water- or alcohol-based products with no adhesive or glue qualities or artificial colorings are permitted. These products include conditioners and commonly used sprays such as Kleen Sheen, Revive, Final Bloom and white show foam. Paint will be allowed on the hooves and dewclaws only.

Ultimately…

*Exhibitors can still clip, wash, and blow their animals

*Only oil or water-based products can be applied

*No adhesives or paints

State Fair Ruling for Market Beef - "A market beef animal may have the two center temporary incisor teeth replaced by permanent incisors.  The remaining six temporary incisors must be in place and there may be no evidence of eruption of any permanent incisors other than the centers."  

• 2025 Swine Requirement Chart - shows the steps to be followed to show swine at the 2025 Hamilton County Fair. 
• Swine ID Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Friday, June 13th, 2025. 
  • Families may use one form for multiple youth. 
• Livestock Pre-Fair Entry Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Thursday, July 10th, 2025. 
  • A separate form is required for each youth! All beef, swine, sheep, goat, poultry, and rabbit entries for a youth may be entered on one form. 
  • If you are using Online Entry (preferred), a paper form is not required. 

For more information or questions about the swine program, contact Emily Soll (4-H Educator) at 402-694-6174 or esoll2@unl.edu. 

Superintendent - Duane Danielson

Premiums - Purple ($9.00), Blue ($7.50), Red ($4.50), White ($3.00)

*4-H members can show up to four (4) market swine and four (4) breeding swine at the county fair. 

• 2025 Sheep & Goat Requirement Chart - shows the steps to be followed to show sheep & goats at the 2025 Hamilton County Fair. 
• Sheep ID Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Friday, June 13th, 2025. 
  • Families may use one form for multiple youth. 
• Goat ID Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Friday, June 13th, 2025. 
  • Families may use one form for multiple youth. 
• Livestock Pre-Fair Entry Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Thursday, July 10th, 2025. 
  • A separate form is required for each youth! All beef, swine, sheep, goat, poultry, and rabbit entries for a youth may be entered on one form. 
  • If you are using Online Entry (preferred), a paper form is not required. 

For more information or questions about the sheep and goat program, contact Emily Soll (4-H Educator) at 402-694-6174 or esoll2@unl.edu. 

Superintendent - Jared Sullivan

Premiums - Purple ($9.00), Blue ($7.50), Red ($4.50), White ($3.00)

• 2025 Poultry & Rabbit Requirement Chart - shows the steps to be followed to show poultry & rabbits at the 2025 Hamilton County Fair. 
• Poultry and Rabbits do not require an ID form to be filled out. 
• Livestock Pre-Fair Entry Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Thursday, July 10th, 2025. 
  • A separate form is required for each youth! All beef, swine, sheep, goat, poultry, and rabbit entries for a youth may be entered on one form. 
  • If you are using Online Entry (preferred), a paper form is not required. 

For more information or questions about the rabbit and poultry program, contact Emily Soll (4-H Educator) at 402-694-6174 or esoll2@unl.edu. 

Superintendent - Marcia Traudt & Troy Holloway

Premiums - Purple ($9.00), Blue ($7.50), Red ($4.50), White ($3.00)

*4-H members may show 5 entries (pen of 3 counts as 1 entry) plus showmanship. 

4-H Poultry includes chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas, etc. 

• 2025 Dog Requirement Chart - shows the steps to be followed to show dogs at the 2025 Hamilton County Fair. 
• Nebraska 4-H Certificate of Vaccination for Dogs - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Friday, June 13th, 2025. 
  • At the Hamilton County Fair, 4-H dog exhibitors must submit proof of immunizations (rabies, DHL, and Parvo) by emailing a completed copy of the vaccination form to Emily (esoll2@unl.edu) prior to the fair. Dogs will NOT be eligible to compete if the certificate of vaccination is not provided! 
• Pre-Fair Entry Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Thursday, July 10th, 2025. 

For more information or questions about the dog program, contact Emily Soll (4-H Educator) at 402-694-6174 or esoll2@unl.edu. 

Superintendent - Deana VanDeWalle & Allison Crist

Premiums - Purple ($9.00), Blue ($7.50), Red ($4.50), White ($3.00)

1.  DOG ELIGIBILITY - Exhibitor should provide primary training for the dog.  The dog should be cared for by the exhibitor the majority of the year by the exhibitor.  It is the dog exhibitor’s responsibility to pick up after their dogs at all times. Dogs soiling in the show ring (during a class) will be lowered one ribbon placing. Dogs soiling anywhere on the show grounds with no pick up will be disqualified from all entered classes on that show day regardless of the person who is holding the dog leash. 

2. VACCINATION -- All dogs must be immunized for distemper, hepatitis, parvo and rabies. The Nebraska must be filled out and signed by a veterinarian and returned as part of the Advanced Entry. The Nebraska State Fair Show Vaccination Record Form (SF 263) must document all vaccinations within 1 year or 3 years depending on the vaccine given. All required vaccinations must be given within 1 to 3 years of the show date based on label guidelines. All vaccinations must be in effect at the time of the State Fair Dog Show. Explanation: Some vaccinations are viable for one year and some vaccinations are viable for three years but are specifically designed and administered according to their label. It is not acceptable nor allowed to vaccinate a dog with a 1-year vaccine and plan to have it in effect for 3 years. The SF263 Dog Vaccination Certification form must be submitted for each dog according to the entry guideline due date or will not be allowed to show.

3.  NUMBER OF ENTRIES PER EXHIBITOR - Youth may enter one showmanship class, two agility classes (using different dogs and in different level of classes) and two obedience classes (using different dogs and in different level of classes).

4.  DISQUALIFIED DOGS - Females in season will not be permitted to be shown.  Overly aggressive dogs may be disqualified at the discretion of the judge or superintendent.  Lame or crippled dogs will not be permitted to show if it is determined by a show superintendent that it is affecting the health of the dog.

5.  All dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, except when appropriate during a show.

6.  ADVANCEMENT IN OBEDIENCE AND AGILITY CLASSES – Follow rules in Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines 4-H 421. A youth will move up to a ‘transition year’, after they receive 2 purples in a specific class at county or state level competition. Youth will finish their 4-H year at the same level if the second purple ribbon occurs in the middle of their 4-H year. Youth do not have to move up in the middle of a 4-H year. Youth will then have the option to stay in their current class for one additional year (after receiving 2 purple ribbons) called the ‘transition year’. During the transition year, youth will practice the more advanced class (gaining skills such as off leash work) but may compete in their same level. Youth may advance up to the next level more quickly with advice/assistance from a leader and parent to help evaluate skill and readiness of youth and dog. This may especially occur if the youth has had previous dog handling experiences.

7.  ADVANCEMENT IN SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES – classes are divided into age divisions:  Junior 8-9 (County Only), Intermediate 10-13, Senior 14–18.  All 4-H dog exhibitors must show their own animals to be considered as participants in the Showmanship Contest.  Showmen will be allowed to compete in a division each year based on their age or until they win that particular age group.  At state, winners must advance to the next age group, therefore at the state fair winners of the Senior division will be ineligible in future dog showmanship contests. 

8.  AGE OF DOG – A dog that is exhibited must be 6 months or older Agility dogs must be 18 months or older to participate in competition at both county and state.

9.  BAITING – Baiting with food or a toy is not permitted and is cause for disqualification.  Handlers may use baiting action without food or toys in showmanship.  The judge or superintendent has the authority to disqualify violators. 

• 2025 Cat Requirement Chart - shows the steps to be followed to show cats at the 2025 Hamilton County Fair. 
• Nebraska 4-H Certificate of Vaccination for Cats and Ferrets - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Friday, June 13th, 2025. 
  • At the Hamilton County Fair, 4-H cat exhibitors must submit proof of immunizations by emailing a completed copy of the vaccination form to Emily (esoll2@unl.edu) prior to the fair. Cats will NOT be eligible to compete if the certificate of vaccination is not provided! 
• Pre-Fair Entry Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Thursday, July 10th, 2025. 

For more information or questions about the cat program, contact Emily Soll (4-H Educator) at 402-694-6174 or esoll2@unl.edu. 

Superintendent - Deana VanDeWalle 

Premiums - Purple ($7.00), Blue ($5.50), Red ($4.00), White ($3.00)

All cats must be owned by the exhibitor by June 1, 2025. Refer to 4-H Cat/Small Animal Show Guidelines (4H341). ALL CATS MUST BE SHOWN ON A LEASH and must be on a leash at any time they are removed from the carrier/cage. HEALTH RULE - Health: If a cat is not declawed, the claws must be clipped. All animals should be free of fleas, ticks, ear mites, ringworm, any internal and external parasite and infectious disease. If any signs of external parasites or other contagious health conditions are present, exhibitors will be asked to leave without being allowed into the show area. If an animal shows the possibility of being contagious, it is considered a danger to other animals and will not be allowed to show. Animals that pose a danger to others will not be allowed in the building. Vaccinations: Cats are required to be current on rabies, panleukopenia, viral rhinotracheitis, and calicivirus vaccinations. Cats must have a current feline leukemia vaccination OR proof of a negative test within 180 days of the show. Proof of vaccination must be submitted to the Extension Office by June 13. Participants must have their veterinarian fill out and sign the “Nebraska State Fair Cat/Ferret Vaccination Record Form”. 4-H’ers vaccinating their own cats must provide proof by including a statement from their vet on the Vaccination Record or include the vaccination labels on the form and have it signed by a parent. The rabies vaccination is federally mandated to be given ONLY by a Certified Veterinarian. The vaccination must be current and include a veterinarian signature on the Vaccination Record.

• 2025 Companion Requirement Chart - shows the steps to be followed to show cats at the 2025 Hamilton County Fair. 
• Nebraska 4-H Certificate of Vaccination - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Friday, June 13th, 2025. 
• Pre-Fair Entry Form - due to the Hamilton County Extension Office by Thursday, July 10th, 2025. 

For more information or questions about the cat program, contact Emily Soll (4-H Educator) at 402-694-6174 or esoll2@unl.edu. 

Superintendent - Deana VanDeWalle

Premiums - Purple ($7.00), Blue ($5.50), Red ($4.00), White ($3.00)

All companion animals must be owned by the exhibitor by June 1, 2025. Exhibitors are required to be present during the judging of their exhibit. Score is based on presentation, handling of animals and exhibitor knowledge. Animals eligible for the show would be house pets that do not have their own show.  Therefore, no dogs, cats, rabbits or poultry will be permitted in this show. Health requirements - animals shall be free of fleas, ticks, mites, lice, or other parasites. Animals shall be free of contagious diseases. Any animal showing signs of parasites or disease will not be judged. Ferrets must be vaccinated for rabies. Not more than one entry per category by any exhibitor.