Demonstrations & Illustrated Talks are “show and tell” presentations in a specific curriculum area. Youth share what they have learned in their 4-H project using visual aids to communicate presentation content. 

Presentations in this event can include posters, models, props, and computer generated aids. Presentations cannot include any living vertebrates and invertebrates (i.e. insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals). 

Youth may enter a Demonstrations/Illustrated Talk as an individual, or as a 2 person team, as long as both members of the team are in the same 4-H Age Division. If presenting as a team, both members should participate equally in the presentation.

Time Limits

Demonstrations/Illustrated Talks must be between 3-12 minutes for juniors and intermediates, and 5-12 minutes for seniors. Points will be deducted for presentations outside of the allotted time.

• Cloverbuds receive feedback from the judges and a participation ribbon, but do not receive a numbered score. Cloverbuds are encouraged to do a demo/talk that is at least 3 minutes long, but since they are not scored, there is no penalty for doing a demo/talk shorter than 3 minutes.

Categories

Demonstrations/Illustrated Talks should be placed in the category that most closely reflects the related project. A list of categories and their descriptions can be found in this section (viewable on the right if you are viewing this on your computer, or below if you are viewing it on your phone). . 

Scoring and Advancement

Demonstrations/Illustrated Talks are scored according to the rubric in this section.

• All junior, intermediate, and senior presentations earning a blue ribbon at the County Level will qualify to compete at District Level Events. 

• All senior presentations earning a blue ribbon at the District Level will qualify to compete at State Events during 4-H University in Gainesville (late July/early August).

  • Demonstrations/Illustrated Talks that qualify for State Events in the “Horse” category will be presented at the State Horse Events in Gainesville in June, separate from 4-H University. The State competition qualifies youth for Regional and National events.

Note: Previous first place state demonstration/illustrated talk winners are not eligible to compete in this event.

This program is designed to give 4-H’ers experience in the preparation and delivery of a 4-H related speech. This contest requires 4-H’ers to recognize, organize, and present information on a given topic. 

• This competition differs from Demonstrations/Illustrated Talks because the presenter is not allowed to use any props or visual aids. Individual participation only, no team speeches are allowed.

• Speech must be original and specifically related to 4-H in a demonstrable way. The entire speech does not necessarily have to feature 4-H, but every contestant must, at some point in his/her speech, mention 4-H and its relationship to the material being presented.

Time Limits

Public speaking times must be between 3-7 minutes for juniors and intermediates, and 5-7 minutes for seniors; Senior level speeches in the “Horse” category must be 8-10 minutes.

• Cloverbuds will receive feedback from the judges and a participation ribbon, but do not receive a numbered score. Cloverbuds are encouraged to do a speech that is 1- 3 minutes long, but since they are not scored, there is no penalty for doing a demo/talk outside of that time frame.

Scoring and Advancement

Speeches will be scored according to the rubric in this section (viewable on the right if you are viewing this on your computer, or below if you are viewing it on your phone). 

• Only the top two winners in each age division (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior) may advance from County to District 

• The top two blue-ribbon earning Senior aged winners at District may advance to State Events during 4-H University in Gainesville (late July/early August).

• The top three senior age winners at state competition may have the opportunity to participate in the Western National 4-H Roundup Public Speaking contest in Denver, Colorado at their own expense.

  • Senior level speeches that qualify for State Events in the “Horse” category will be presented at the State Horse Events in Gainesville in June, separate from 4-H University. The State competition qualifies youth for Regional and National events.

Participants may refine their speeches between competitions, but the content should not change dramatically.

Note: Previous first place state public speaking winners are not eligible to compete in this event.

The 4-H Share-The-Fun program is designed to help 4-H’ers discover their talents, develop them, and have opportunities to share those gifts with others. It is part of the 4-H leisure and performing arts project and is conducted at County, District, and State levels. The objective of share-the-fun is to enhance the following areas: appreciation of talent, leadership, confidence, and interest in special training.

Groups/Teams

Youth may enter Share-the-Fun as an individual, or as a group. All group member participants should be in the same 4-H Age Division.

Group acts should be limited to a maximum of five participants.

• • Entertainment groups with more than five members are discouraged because of the difficulty in facilitating a group that size. However, this does not rule out participation by such a group if their talent is of exceptional quality and they meet all other requirements. Such an act must be cleared through the State 4-H Headquarters prior to District Events (contact State 4-H Events Coordinator). Acts with more than five participants who are not cleared through the State 4-H Office in advance will not be allowed to perform at Florida 4-H University.

Performance Guidelines and Classifications

Acts must fall into one of the following classes:

• Instrumental: musical instruments of all descriptions

• Vocal: singing numbers

• Dance: all dance, baton, and acrobatic routines

• Dramatic and Novelty: skits, stunts, pantomimes, monologues, puppetry, ventriloquism, impersonations, etc.

• General: acts which include two or more of the above classifications

Attire, music, comedy, etc. all must be 4-H appropriate. Those who perform using music or dress deemed inappropriate will be immediately disqualified.

Performers may use a recorded musical accompanist in MP3/4 format.

No living specimens may be used for Share the Fun.

Time Limits

The time for each act can range from 3-5 minutes. Participants will have a one-minute warning and then the act will be called at 5 minutes.

Scoring and Advancement

Performances will be scored according to the rubric in this section.

The top act in each age division (junior, intermediate, and senior) will qualify to compete at District Events. The top senior act from District Events will qualify for the State level competition at 4-H University.