Presented by:
Deanna Roby & Doris Braddock
University of Illinois Extension, Kane Co.
4-H Youth Development Staff

• Thanks for visiting this site.
• We hope to give you enough information to get through the fair without feeling frustrated and lost.
• Please feel free to ask questions.
Just give us a call.

• Fair Orientation Handbook (this will be mailed to you in May)
• Summer 4-H Newsletter
• Fairbook
• Any mailings sent to your child

• Members have selected projects.
• Work done in project helps prepare youth for the fair exhibit, not always the actual exhibit.
• Fair is an opportunity for 4-H’ers to showcase the skills and knowledge they have gained.
• 4-H’ers are not required to exhibit at the fair.

• At your May 4-H club meeting, you should be receiving a Fair Registration Form. 4-H’ers will register for what they are exhibiting at the fair on this form.
• It is linked to project enrollments. Youth must be enrolled in a project area to register for an exhibit in that same area.
• Fair Registration Forms for the Dog & Small
Pet Shows are due June 3; all others are due
June 10.

• For the public, the fair is open Wednesday,
July 20 through Sunday, July 24.
• For 4-H members, the majority of project check-in and judging is July 19.
• Livestock/animal project members check-in on July 20. Judging occurs throughout the week.
• Some things happen before this week.
• See tentative schedule.

• Two separate organizations.
• University of Illinois Extension organizes anything related to 4-H.
• The Kane County Fair Association organizes everything else (rides, attractions, entertainment, food vendors, commercial exhibits, fair hours, admission/parking costs, etc.).

• The grounds are located in St. Charles on
Randall Road between Routes 64 and 38.
• See fairgrounds map
( http://www.kanecountyfair.com/maps.cfm
)
• Parking is available in the grassy area in front of grounds. It is accessible from the
Extension Office parking lot.
• Once the fair opens to the public, you will need an admission pass to utilize the pedestrian entrance gate in the parking near the Extension Office.

• It is the communication tool that we use to describe all of the exhibit requirements for 4-H projects youth may exhibit.
• It is available online.
• There will be no Open Shows at the 2016
Kane County Fair

• Most of the 4-H exhibit requirements are determined by the exhibit requirements for the 4-H portion of the Illinois State
Fair.
• 4-H fair superintendents and the 4-H Fair
Committee review exhibit requirements each year and make suggestions for changes.

• All general and home economic projects are checked in on Tuesday, July 19, in the
4-H/Industrial Building between 1:30 and
5:30 p.m. (If you have numerous exhibits, try to check in early in the day!)
• All live animals (except dogs & small pets) are brought to the fairgrounds on July 19.
Times vary – refer to fairbook.

• For general & home economics projects, the main check-in tables are in the northeast corner of the building. Pick up exhibit tags here – proceed to the parent’s gallery.
• In the parent’s gallery, youth can attach exhibit tags to their projects. Bring supplies needed.
• Parent’s may not go beyond this area.

• The building is divided into categories.
Refer to map on the website.
• With exhibit tags attached, youth proceed to the appropriate area(s) to check in project(s) with a superintendent. We will have helpers for this process if needed.
• They might immediately see a judge for a conference or they may have to wait.

• This type of judging brings 4-H members and judges together to evaluate project exhibits.
• It allows 4-H’ers to learn how to improve knowledge and skills.
• 4-H’ers can share their project experiences.
• It is great preparation for the future!

• Judges are encouraged to spend 5-7 minutes with each child. Some take longer than others.
• Judging is scheduled to run from 2-6 p.m.
• Timing for judging really depends on the number of exhibits. Allow extra time for busy judges and areas.
• Please be patient and plan to spend the afternoon at the fairgrounds.

• The judging process has two phases.
• The first phase is non-competitive.
Everyone is given a blue, red or white ribbon based on their own merit.
• The second phase is competitive. Projects are judged against each other.
• Refer to ribbon posters which are hung in the building.

• At the ISF, the State 4-H office organizes a junior show for 4-H members from across the state.
• 4-H’ers must be age 8 as of 9/1/15 to be eligible.
• In general & home economics projects, county fair exhibits are selected to represent county at the ISF.
• In livestock, any member can participate.

• Projects from our fair selected for the
ISF, will have a state fair delegate or alternate ribbon on them.
• 4-H’ers can send one non-livestock exhibit to the ISF if selected.
• State Fair Delegates & Alternates are asked to mark choices on the state fair board in the 4-H/Industrial Building.
• There are also registration papers and an orientation packet for delegates.

• All projects can go home beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24.
• We ask that projects be picked up by 6:00 p.m. that evening.
• 4-H’ers who take projects earlier than the scheduled release time may forfeit their right to exhibit in future 4-H shows.

• 4-H members exhibiting in the fair will receive a season pass at no charge.
• Adult volunteers who serve as a superintendent also receive a season pass.
• Some volunteers are given one day passes.
• All others are asked to pay the admission fee.
• Season passes do not include rides, attractions, food, entertainment, etc.

• 4-H premiums are a monetary incentive for
4-H exhibits at the fair and dependent upon the state budget.
• Premium checks are distributed only after the funds are received from the state.
• The process to determine premiums is called the x-factor. See your Fair
Orientation Handbook for more details.

• Fair related questions can be addressed to your 4-H leader, junior leaders, other 4-H families, or the Extension Office staff.
• We are always open to your thoughts and ideas about the fair. It is best if they are in writing.

• We hope that you find the information in this presentation helpful.
• As always, please don’t hesitate to ask question if you need more information.
• See you at the fair!