4-H at the Wright County Fair

2021 County Fair: July 21-25 Project Entry Day: July 17 GE Judging Day: July 20

4-H Fair Schedule

Pre-Fair Activities

SATURDAY, JULY 10

9:00 a.m. Dog Obedience, Rally, Showmanship, and Agility Judging, Fairgrounds

SATURDAY, JULY 17

10:00 a.m.- 3:00 pm Project Drop off

MONDAY, JULY 19

3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Engineering Design Challenge Judging

TUESDAY, JULY 20

1:00-6:30 p.m. General Exhibits Conference Judging5:00-8:00 p.m. Horse Check-In

Fair Activities

4-H Building open 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21

6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Horse Check-In9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Livestock Check-In9:00 a.m. Horse Show (Training & Achievement; Egg & Spoon; Driving; Trail)10:00 a.m. Communication & Video Project Judging Starts (throughout the day)8:00 p.m. Sheep Weigh-In8:00 p.m. Market Goat Weigh-In (following sheep weigh-in)

THURSDAY, JULY 22

8:00 a.m. Horse Show (Games)8:00 a.m. Swine Weigh-in8:00 a.m. Beef Steer & Dairy Steer Weigh-in8:30 a.m. Dairy Show - Dairy Show Arena9:00 a.m. Poultry Show4:00 p.m. Fashion Revue Judging and Practice - TBD4:00 p.m. Meat Goat Show - Goat Barn4:45 p.m. Goat Driving Class - Goat Barn5:30 p.m. Dairy Goat Show - Dairy Show Arena6:00 p.m. Fashion Revue Show - Free Stage7:00 p.m. Cloverbud Horse Show

FRIDAY, JULY 23

8:00 a.m. Rabbit Show - Rabbit Barn8:00 a.m. Horse Show (Pleasure)9:00 a.m. Beef Show - Dairy Show Arena10:00 a.m. Performing Arts Judging Begins (throughout the day) - TBD10:00 a.m. Dairy Interviews10:00 a.m. Swine Interviews2:00 p.m. Sheep Show - Dairy Show Arena

SATURDAY, JULY 24

8:00 a.m. Swine Show - Swine Barn8:30 a.m. Lamb Lead Show & Interviews - Dairy Show Arena9:30 a.m. Fun With Goats - Near Free Stage2:00 p.m. State Trip Acceptance Deadline4:00 p.m. Grilling Contest – Near Free Stage6:30 p.m. Livestock Blue Ribbon Auction - Dairy Show Arena

SUNDAY, JULY 25

1:00 p.m. ID checks on state trip animals (exhibitors must be present)2:00 p.m. State Fair Registration Deadline3:00 p.m. Round Robin Showmanship Contest - Dairy Show Arena7:00 p.m. All Exhibits Released 8:30 p.m. Building Closes – all projects should be picked up by this time

Post Fair

Wednesday, July 28

6:30 p.m. State Horse Exhibitors’ Meeting

Volunteers Needed!

In order to provide lots of great opportunities for our 4-H’ers and keep everything running smoothly, we greatly appreciate support from many volunteers, both youth and adult. We hope you’ll check out our list of volunteer needs and sign up for something that fits your schedule and abilities. Volunteer positions are posted online at http://z.umn.edu/4Hfairvolunteers. All volunteers will receive a complimentary foodstand ticket. Youth who sign up to help on entry day will still have plenty of time to have their own items judged.

Events and Activities

This section includes various activities that members and non-members can participate in or come watch!

Fashion Show - Thursday, July 22nd, 6:00 p.m., 4-H Exhibit Building

Come watch our Fashion Revue project participants as they walk the runway and modeling garments they either made or purchased and paired with accessories. Don’t miss as the winners are revealed for the first time on stage! (See “Fashion Revue” in general exhibit section for information)

4-H Grilling Contest - Saturday, July 24^th, 4:00 p.m., Near the Free Stage/Hoop Building

Sponsored by T & R Meats, BestFriends Vet, Keith Wilts & Lisa Sell, and Bill & Renae NeumannThis Contest is modeled after the Minnesota Meats grilling contest, which has been a big hit at the State Fair during the 4-H livestock encampment. 4-Hers 3rd grade and older, from each species, may assemble a team, and they will prepare and grill a meat cut from their species. Teams will be provided with aprons, charcoal, grills, grilling utensils, preparation utensils, a cut of meat, and basic seasonings. Teams may also bring their own seasonings or rubs. Teams will be given 30 minutes to prepare a final product and will be judged on their final product’s taste and appearance, as well as their team knowledge. Teams will be asked basic nutrition questions about their final product. Register on the poster on the wall in the 4-H exhibit building.

Round Robin Showmanship Contest - Sunday, July 25th, 3:00 p.m., Dairy Arena

This fun-to-watch contest gives all Champion and Reserve Champion Senior 4-H’ers in Dairy, Beef, Swine, Sheep, Market Goat, Dairy Goat, Rabbit, Poultry, and Horse Showmanship a chance to compete for "overall" showmanship honors. Each person will show each species in a mini-competition.

New Member Information/FAQ's

What Types of Projects Can I Bring to the Fair?

The type of project you can bring to the County Fair is endless! That is one of the highlights of 4-H is you can cater your 4-H projects to something that really interests you, something you want to learn more about, or something you’ve never even heard of! Minnesota 4-H has a great publication developed called “Suggested 4-H Exhibits for County Fair”, and offers project ideas for all the different project areas 4-H offers! In addition to the suggestions in this publication, each project area leaves the possibilities wide open for you to create exhibits that fit your learning and ideas. The suggestions in this document are simply ideas to get your brain thinking! While there are still several general rules and guidelines that apply to all projects, including maximum size specifications for posters, displays and floor-sized exhibits, you are now able to exhibit almost anything that reflects your learning in a particular project area for the year. You can get this publication by stopping at the Extension Office, or request a copy by email to wright@umn.edu. The Minnesota 4-H website offers a wealth of knowledge about 4-H Projects and Resources. You can find that website here: https://extension.umn.edu/ways-participate/projects-and-more

How are Fair Exhibits Judged?

County Fair provides many opportunities for you to get involved in 4-H to learn and grow. While exhibiting 4-H projects at the fair is certainly not a requirement of membership, it is a wonderful way for you to showcase your projects and receive feedback and recognition for your work. Visit with 4-H staff or your Club Leader to learn more about 4-H opportunities at the fair. General Projects are Conference Judged:
Conference Judging is a conversation between the judge and the 4-H’er. It is a chance for you to explain to a judge what you have learned from your project experience. It allows time to ask a judge questions that you may have about your project.

What Can I expect during Judging?

The interview is as important as the exhibit itself: 50% of the weight is given on the 4-H Project itself, and the other 50% is based on the knowledge of the exhibitor.
The judge, who is knowledgeable in the project area, determines the ribbon placing.
Judges will observe, question, listen and challenge you.
Judges offer encouraging and constructive feedback, as well as, suggestions on how to further explore the project area.

How are Cloverbuds Judged:

The Cloverbud program provides opportunity to explore and actively learn in a noncompetitive environment. Developmental research supports noncompetitive activities and participation recognition.

You have a judge just for your projects
The judge will ask you to tell them about your project.
The judge may also ask you questions about the project and give you ideas for next year’s project.
You will receive a recognition ribbon for Cloverbuds.

How is Livestock Judged?

Livestock and other animal projects are designed to allow youth to learn management practices such as nutrition, shelter, water, environment, breeding, care, etc. of their animal. The assessment of this knowledge, as it is applied to the project, can occur in one or all of the ways listed below. 1. Evaluation of the animal considering its physical characteristics and/or performance.2. Showmanship and knowledge of the exhibitor as displayed in the show ring. How the animal is prepared, groomed and is presented at its optimal level.3. Animal Science Interviews reveal the exhibitor’s knowledge in the animal project area and ability to communicate in an interview setting.

How is Cloverbud Livestock Judged?

When Cloverbuds present their livestock to the judge, they will be asked what they learned in the project, how they cared for their animal, and prepared for the fair. This will be a “show and tell” where the members share their animal with the judge. The exhibits will not be evaluated with blue, red, or white ribbons, but rather a “Cloverbud Ribbon.” This gives these members a county fair experience without competition.
When animals and Cloverbuds are together at 4-H activities, such as fairs and shows, a parent/responsible person will be in control of the animal (control means to handle and lead the animal). This includes feeding, watering, and changing bedding for the animal.

What does My Ribbon Color Mean?

Purple: The exhibit meets all standards. The exhibitor has shown complete understanding of what, how and why the exhibit was done and has a thorough knowledge of the subject. The exhibit and workmanship are extraordinary and need no improvement.Blue: The exhibit meets most standards. The exhibitor can explain what, how and why the exhibit was done and has good knowledge of the subject. The exhibit is well organized and well done.Red: The exhibit meets some standards. The exhibitor can somewhat explain what, how, and why the exhibit was done and has a fair knowledge of the subject. Some improvements may be needed on the exhibit.White: The exhibit meets few standards and lacks the quality of other exhibits. The exhibitor cannot adequately explain the what, how and why of the exhibit. Possibly they have overlooked a safety flaw. Improvement is needed in either the exhibit, the knowledge of the subject, or both.Special Ribbons & Awards: Counties may award special ribbons to Cloverbud exhibitors and to recognize participation and achievement in a project area, event or activity. If you have questions about the judging system in your county, never hesitate to ask 4-H staff.

What is the State Fair Line-Up at the County Fair?

4-H Members in 3rd grade through one year past high school are judged on the projects they signed up for 50% on the project quality and 50% on their knowledge of the project. Judges will award a blue, red or white ribbon for each project at the time of judging. After judging is completed, Judges are then asked review all the projects and select the top two projects to receive the grand and reserve champion placings, and any other top placing youth and their projects for a “State Fair Line Up.” The youth placed on this list typically have projects that the judge feels are worthy of competing at the MN State Fair. The line ups are posted for public viewing the day after General Exhibit judging or shortly after each livestock show, inside the 4-H Building at the Fairgrounds. Youth are asked to review the posters and decline or accept any trips they’ve won. This process can be confusing, so we hope that you will ask any 4-H Staff Member about any questions you may have!

Qualifying for the MN State Fair:

If you are listed on the State Fair Line Up and high enough up, you might be eligible for the State Fair, held towards the end of August and into September! However, there is an age requirement to participate—you must have completed the 6th Grade. There may be additional eligibility requirements, depending on your project as well, so be sure to review the rules in the premium book for these details. If you are selected to participate at the MN State Fair, there will be some paperwork you’ll be asked to complete and a meeting, held during the fair that you’ll need to attend to sign up and receive more information. Your exhibit will need to be brought home following the County Fair, refreshed, or altered with any suggestions the judge had for you, and returned to the Extension office by the deadline. 4-H Staff will deliver all projects to the State Fair prior to the start of the fair (general projects only), and you will participate in conference judging at the State Fair, similar to the County Fair! Your exhibit will stay on display at the 4-H Building for all 12 days of the MN State Fair.

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