Exhibits could include written short stories, poems, essays, play scripts, speeches, memoirs, social media posts, articles, blog posts, graphic novels, etc. 

Exhibit Suggestions:

• Series of original poems.

• An original short story.

• A children’s story or a story written specifically for young children, typically includes illustrations

• Series of social media posts or an article educating the public on a topic you are passionate about.

• An original graphic novel including characters’ dialogue, plot line and illustrations.

• A display on the different types of poems or your favorite author

• A display on “What is Creative Writing?”

Requirements:

• Creative Writing exhibits should be an original written piece; if the work of others are quoted or included, be sure to include proper citation.  

• Display your work in a way that can be viewed by fairgoers (printed in a binder, written on a canvas, hung on a display, etc.)

• Performance: Perform a short story, show scene, music selection, dance, monologue, poetry, etc. 

• Exhibit/display (non-performance): Share a performing arts experience or knowledge through an educational poster or photo journal; Share a written piece such as poetry, sheet music, or other physical artifact intended for performance that you create.

Requirements for performances:

• A performance in music, dance, drama, etc. 

• A performance cannot last longer than 7 minutes. 

• Performances may be given as a solo, duet, or a small group.

• To be eligible for State Fair, the member must be able to discuss the process of selecting, planning, performing and reflecting on their project work.

• The technique and artistry of the performance will be considered. 

Requirements for non-performances:

• An exhibit such as a poster or display that shows a member’s involvement or interest in the performing arts. 

• To be eligible for State Fair, the member must be able to discuss the process of selecting, planning, creating and reflecting on their project work.

• The workmanship, general appearance and technique used to develop the exhibit will be considered.

Public Presentations may be related to any project that the member is enrolled in or to any area of interest or expertise the 4-H’er has.  Presentations may be an individual or a two-person team.

• Demonstrations are an oral presentation that includes actually demonstrating the hands-on steps required to accomplish a task or process. This most often includes the use of physical objects and actual doing or showing. At the end of the Demonstration there should be something of a "finished product". Demonstrations may also include the use of supporting visuals like posters, charts or technology-based options like presentation software (i.e. MS PowerPoint, KeyNote, Google Slides). However, the focus of the Demonstration should be on the "doing", not the supporting visuals. Presentations may be an individual or team. Individual presentations shall not exceed 15 minutes in length and team presentations should not exceed 25 minutes in length.  

• Presentations & Speeches are oral presentations that present an idea, concept, viewpoint or experience in an educational or informative format (not for entertainment or performative purposes). Presentations & Speeches often consist of interaction with supporting visual aids like posters, charts or technology-based options like presentation software (i.e. MS PowerPoint, KeyNote, Google Slides). Supporting visuals may include tangible items, but generally little or no activity takes place with the item. Presentations & Speeches may be an individual or team. Individual presentations shall not exceed 15 minutes in length and team presentations should not exceed 25 minutes in length.

• Interactive Demonstrations are oral presentations that are continuous and include hands-on audience interaction/participation. Adequate supplies should be provided by the presenters so that all present can participate in the activity. Interactive Demonstrations may be an individual or team. Interactive Demonstrations are approximately 25-30 minutes in length but for both individual or team. Involving the audience in the process is the primary focus of Interactive Demonstrations and constitutes a major portion of the evaluation results.

Exhibit Suggestions:

• Demonstrations:

  • Teaching others a project or activity such as taekwondo, making lemonade, slime, macrame, etc.

• Presentations & Speeches: 

  • A report on leadership lessons learned through a trip to Washington DC 

  • An educational presentation that explores sustainable energy options

  • A persuasive speech exploring Social Media effects on youth mental health.

• Interactive Demonstrations:

  • An interactive presentation that teaches the public how to do something. For example, teaching the audience an origami project where they follow along with your demonstration step-by-step and create the project with you.

  • An interactive yoga demonstration where you teach the audience various poses.

Videography is art, communications and technology all at the same time. Becoming good at making videos teaches media literacy -- the ability to fully understand media messages that come at us every day. 

Requirements:

• It is encouraged that when developing a 4-H video/filmmaking exhibit, members will develop skills beyond the classroom. 

• It is recommended that the video/filmmaking exhibit be 3-5 minutes and no longer than 10 minutes.

• All video/filmmaking exhibits must be made by the exhibitor OR by a production team of which the exhibitor must be a member  

• The exhibitor’s name, grade, and club must be clearly printed on all exhibit pieces. 

• All video/film footage exhibited must have been made/created DURING THE CURRENT 4-H YEAR. When appropriate, (i.e. historical sequences) older video clips can be used.

• The member should provide the video file even if sending it electronically.

• Video/film must be presented on DVD, USB, flash drive or data CD.

• Videos can also be delivered via Youtube, Vimeo, Frame.io or similar online based presentation sites. 

• Video/film needs to be in presentation form, including a title and credits

• The video/film must be original material. Any video/film exhibit, which appears to contain copyrighted material, including music, will not be publicly displayed unless the exhibitor has written permission from the producer to use the material in the video/film. Portions and music from other sources must be documented and have a copyright release.

• A computer must be brought for viewing the video/film during the conference judging,other arrangements need to be made in advance with the 4-H staff

• Video/film must be playable on Windows, use file format including .WMV, .FLV and .MPEG, .AVI, .MOV, .AVCHD, .MPEG-1, .MEG-4, as well as a playable DVD   

• 4-H videos must adhere to G or PG (parental guidance) standards. The 4-H Code of Conduct requires respectful behavior, so you may not depict: violence, obscene language including swearing, rude interactions or insults, or use or visibility of guns or fighting, etc. Remember not only teens and pre-teens view the videos but young children and their parents. Keep this in mind when creating your video. 

Important Notes

• Youth can enter as individual or team of (2-3 members)

• This is not a slideshow (see Manipulated Photography for slideshow)

• Video Release form - Use this form when including any person in your video that is NOT in 4-H. This verifies that the subject has agreed to be in your video. Keep this signed form in a file. Here is a link to the Photo & Video Release form in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali. 

• Equipment:  Any electronic device capable of capturing a video image video camera, digital camera, DSLR, time lapse camera or trail camera, cellphone, tablet, GoPro or drone with attached camera (operator must meet age requirements to use a drone).

• Supervision of the drone operator is important until they understand not only how to use a drone but also understand the etiquette and rules for using the drone. For information see: https//www.faa.gov>uas (unmanned aircraft systems)

Exhibit suggestions:

• Showcase various video/film techniques 

• A selected subject.  Include a short storyboard or outline

• A poster that illustrates how a video/film camera works, or how to care for video/film equipment, illustration of computer video/film creation, etc. 

• A video/film made by blending computer technology and traditional camera created video/film.

• A video/film using data from trail camera or time lapse camera (stop action video) or drone with attached camera (see note related to drone use).

• A video/film using Claymation, dolls, Lego for stop action

• Document environmental issues such as the plight of pollinators, pollution, soil erosion, or the steps taken to improve the environment

• A short documentary on a family member or interesting member of your community

• A trailer for a movie or event (can be fictional)

• A story that you tell using your friends and family 

• A commercial, real or fictional 

Prepare and perform a play, dance, musical, or other act with a group of 4-H youth (or individually). Three acts are accepted per county to perform at the Minnesota State Fair. You are encouraged to perform at various summer events to share your talents and pride with the community.!

Requirements

• Performance/act should demonstrate youth leadership, voice and choice in both preparation and performance. . 

• Each act can be up to six minutes long, 

• Costumes and props are allowed, but not required.