New Family Fair Orientation
Presented by:
Deanna Roby & Doris Braddock
University of Illinois Extension, Kane Co.
4-H Youth Development Staff
Welcome!
• Thanks for visiting this site.
• This is a new adventure for us too!
• 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.
Please Read!
• Fair Orientation Handbook (this will be
mailed to you in May)
• 4-H Newsletter (Online)
• Fairbook (Online)
• Any mailings sent to your child(ren)
Purpose of 4-H Shows @ Fair
• 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.
What can be exhibited 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
bringing to 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 are due June 3.
When is the fair?
• For the public, the fair is July 20 through
July 24.
• For 4-H members, the majority of project
check-in and judging is July 18.
• Livestock/animal project members check-in
on July 19. Judging occurs throughout
week.
• Some things happen before this week.
• See tentative schedule. (online)
Who organizes the fair?
• Two separate organizations.
• University of Illinois Extension organizes
anything related to 4-H.
• The Kane County Fair Association organizes
everything else (open shows, rides,
attractions, entertainment, food vendors,
commercial exhibits, fair hours,
admission/parking costs, etc.).
Where are the fairgrounds?
• The grounds are located in St. Charles on
Randall Road between Routes 64 and 38.
• See fairgrounds map (on website).
• 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.
What is the fairbook?
• 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.
• Anyone may enter the open show – there
are exhibit opportunities for youth and
adults. Info is also available online.
• There are fees associated with the open
show.
Where do the exhibit
requirements come from?
• Most of the 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.
Project Check-in
• All general and home economic projects are
checked in on Monday, July 18, in the
4-H/Industrial Building between 1:30 and
5:30 p.m.
• All live animals (except dogs, cats & small
pets) are brought to the fairgrounds on
July 19. Times vary – refer to fairbook.
What happens during project
check-in?
• For general & home economics projects,
the main check-in tables are in the NE
corner of the building. Pick up exhibit tags
here – proceed to the south end of
building, 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.
How does the project get
judged?
• 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 with superintendent. We will have
helpers for this process if needed.
• They may immediately see a judge for a
conference or they may have to wait.
What is conference judging?
• 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!
How long does judging take?
• Judges are encouraged to spend 5-7
minutes with each child. Some take longer
and others don’t.
• 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.
What do all the ribbons mean?
• 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.
How does the IL State Fair
(ISF) figure into this?
• 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 10 as of 9/1/10 to be
eligible.
• In general & home economics, county fair
projects are selected to represent county
at the ISF.
• In livestock, any member can participate.
How will you know if a project is
selected for the ISF?
• 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.
• 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.
When is project check-out at
the county fair?
• All projects can go home beginning at 6
p.m. on Sunday, July 24.
• We ask that projects be picked up by 7
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.
Are we charged admission to
the fair?
• 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.
What are 4-H premiums?
• 4-H premiums are a monetary incentive for
4-H exhibits at the fair.
• Premium checks are distributed at the end
of the 4-H year.
• The process to determine premiums is
called the x-factor. See handbook for
more details.
Questions, Suggestions &
Comments
• 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.
Thank You!
• 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!