Essential Fair Information

Fair Clean-Up Nights

See below for a list of clubs assigned to help with pre- and post-fair clean-up. Please bring tools, buckets, brooms, and rags.

• Pre-Fair Clean Up 4-H Foodstand: July 9, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Rockin’ Riders, Farside, Rockets, Albion Aces, Chatham Climbers, Silver Sparks

• Pre-Fair Building and Foodstand Clean Up: July 13, 5:30-7:00 p.m. The Wranglers, Sunrise, Marysville Merrymakers, Monticello Monarchs, Wild West Ranchers, Wild Bison, Blue Ribbon Bandits

• Post Fair Clean Up: July 27, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Roaming Buffalo, Franklin Friends, Northern Peak, Hanover Honeybees, Handy Dandy, Independent, Willing Workers, The Marksmen

General Exhibit Project Drop-Off

Saturday, July 18, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

4‑H’ers need to drop off their projects at the 4‑H exhibit building of the fairgrounds. After entering the gates, please follow the signs at the 4-H exhibit building to the check-in station. Members will receive a tag to affix to their project and ambassadors will help arrange projects in the building. All static exhibits should be brought this date with a few exceptions: food revue, perishable foods, fresh fruit, flower/indoor gardening cut plants, and fresh vegetables. These items should be brought on judging day (July 22). If you are unable to bring your own exhibit on Saturday, they can be sent with a friend (member need not be present at drop off).

General Information about the Fair

For general fair information, please visit the Wright County Fair website. 4-H operates in partnership with the Wright County Fair to provide an opportunity for members to exhibit their achievements. Please keep in mind that every effort will be made to assure the safety of all entries but, in no event will 4-H or the Wright County Fair be responsible for loss or damage to exhibits. Additionally, dogs are not allowed on the fairgrounds during the Wright County Fair.

Open Class Judging

Remember that you can always exhibit in open class in addition to being a 4-H exhibitor. If you have extra exhibit ideas, why not try it?  Visit the Wright County Fair website for more information. 

Admission 

Youth 17 and under receive free admission to the fair.  4-H’ers age 18+ can pick up a wristband at the 4-H desk at the 4-H exhibit building which gets them into the fair for free.  Adults must pay the regular fees to attend the fair plus parking.  For more information about fees and the fair itself, you can visit the Wright County Fair website. 

CAMPING

Please Sign Up for a Volunteer Shift!

To provide great opportunities for our 4-H’ers and keep everything running smoothly at the county fair, we greatly appreciate support from many volunteers, both youth and adult. We are still short on volunteers. on our sign-up sheet - we could really use your help! Volunteer positions are posted online on the Fair Volunteer Signup Genius Page.  Volunteers should check in at the 4-H Exhibit Building desk to receive a free meal ticket. 

FOODSTAND SHIFTS

HORSE SHIFTS

Radio Spot

Wright County 4-H and KRWC want to feature YOU on the radio during the Wright County Fair. If you are willing to share about what you brought to the fair, we would encourage you to let us know. Reach out to Kim Fox and we can make sure you get a chance to be on the radio sharing about your 4-H experience. We are excited to share about all the outstanding projects that Wright County 4-H’ers have been working on.

About the Cloverbud Project

4-H Cloverbuds do many of the same projects as older 4-H’ers, but in a way appropriate to their age. Cloverbuds explore and learn in a non-competitive environment by doing fun activities of their own choice, like making cookies or doing a craft project, with the guidance of parents or other helpful adults.

 The Cloverbuds project can help broaden the member’s understanding of 4-H, get them excited about the possibilities in 4-H, practice speaking skills while telling others about their projects, learn how to evaluate their own work, celebrate accomplishments, and make a connection with other youth and families in 4-H. 

Cloverbud Requirements

Cloverbud projects follow the same rules and procedures for registration and exhibition as regular projects with the exception of the following:

•  Cloverbud classes receive participation ribbons.

• Cloverbuds do not need to be LQA&E certified.

• The Minnesota Board of Animal Health requires all animals at exhibitions to have official ID (tag or tattoo) this includes Cloverbuds.  Cloverbud ID information does not need to be included in 4HOnline. 

• Cloverbud entries should be included in county fair pre-registration for stalling/penning purposes.

• Cloverbuds may show their own animal or another 4-H’ers identified animal.

• Cloverbud animal exhibitors follow 4-H dress, health, and safety rules for each species.

• Cloverbuds should use animals that are already being exhibited at the County Fair by a family member if possible, or bring their animals only on show day.

• Cloverbuds using their own animals for poultry or horse will still be required to provide Coggins test (horse) or statement of origin/ pullorum test certificate (poultry).  

Cloverbud Judging Process

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

Practice judging at home before you go to the fair.  Some sample questions could be:

• Tell me about what you did this year in 4-H.

• What did you like best about your project?

• What would you do differently next time?

• What things would you do the same?

• If you were going to teach someone else how to do this project, what would you tell them?

• What was the hardest part?

Cloverbud Livestock Policy

When cloverbuds and animals (including beef, cats, dairy, dogs, goats, horse, llama - alpaca, pets, poultry, rabbit, swine and sheep) are together at a 4-H program or participating at the county fair as a 4-H member, the following rules apply:

• A responsible person1 must be with the cloverbud to guide and monitor their involvement at all times2, including but not limited to movement within and to and from the trailers, barns, wash racks, and show arena. 

• Families may choose one of two acceptable ways to guide and monitor involvement in non-mounted activities:

  • The responsible person1 is in control3 of the animal with the cloverbud at their side.

  • The cloverbud is in control3 of the animal with the responsible person1 at their side to assist or take control of the animal when needed or as directed by staff, volunteers or show managers.

• When a cloverbud is mounted on a horse, the horse must always have a lead line and be under the control of the responsible person1. 

• Cloverbuds may safely interact with their animal through participation in a limited number of non-competitive classes at 4-H sponsored practice sessions/clinics, fun shows and county fairs. The purpose is to provide youth an opportunity to experience being in the ring with a judge present and to feel the pride that comes with this experience. Appropriate participation includes:

• Cloverbuds may participate with beef, dairy, dog, goats, pets, poultry, rabbits, and swine in a Cloverbud Showmanship Class.

• Cloverbuds may participate with a sheep in two classes:  Cloverbud Showmanship or Cloverbud Lamb Lead.

• Cloverbuds may participate with a llama - alpaca in two classes:  Cloverbud Costume or Cloverbud Showmanship.  

• Cloverbuds may participate with a horse in three classes: Cloverbud Halter/Showmanship, Cloverbud Western Pleasure or Cloverbud Barrels.  If the horse is used in a riding setting, the Cloverbud may sit on the back of the horse with a responsible person1 in control3 of the horse at all times2.  Helmets are required for the Cloverbud in any riding setting.

1  A “responsible person” is defined as a screened adult volunteer, youth leader 6th grade and older, parent or other adult who may appropriately assist with the group.

2 “At all times” includes but is not limited to the following: during all portions of project workshops, club events, club meetings, public showcases which includes county fairs, demonstrations, or a community event where youth are representing 4-H with an animal or interacting with potentially dangerous equipment..  

3 “Control” means assuming responsibility for handling and/or leading the animal. The parent/responsible person must determine the cloverbud’s ability to control the animal in non-mounted activities.. 

Parent Involvement

We love having parents involved! Parents should encourage youth to complete as much of the project by themselves as possible. If a parent needs to do most of the work, then the project is likely too hard for the member. At the fair, you may be with your Cloverbud. Stand in the background letting the members answer the questions. Your job is to tell the member how proud you are of them after the experience and ask them to tell you what the judge said. Having them tell you about the experience will help them remember how to improve.

General Exhibit Policies

• Every effort will be made to assure the safety of all entries but, in no event will 4-H or the Wright County Fair be responsible for loss or damage to exhibits. 

• Exhibits may consist of actual models, diagrams, pictures, games, three dimensional displays, free-standing objects, technology-related exhibits, etc. Creativity is encouraged!

• Exhibits should show or explain something the 4-H’er made, did, or learned. 

• All work on exhibits entered must be done by the exhibitor during the current project year unless otherwise noted.

• 4-H staff reserve the right to remove perishable/live exhibits if they do not remain in presentable condition (i.e. plants, foods, etc.).  

• All exhibitors are required to be members enrolled in the Wright County 4-H Program through 4HOnline.  

• All exhibits must conform to the requirements of the class description. Judges will ask questions, please be prepared.

• Resources should be credited and documented in the exhibit (e.g., books, internet, 4-H or Extension publications, person with special knowledge, magazine articles, etc.). Before using another person’s work a part of your 4-H exhibit, be sure that the work is subject to fair use, has a creative commons license or that you have requested and received permission (in writing) to use the original work. If an exhibit infringes on copyright law, a decision may need to be made to remove the exhibit from display at the county or state fair.

• Opinions expressed through exhibits and presentations are those of the 4-H member and not necessarily those of MN 4-H, U of MN or the county fair/agricultural society.

• 4-H members who incorporate AI tools or technologies into their projects should clearly cite the use of these resources. This includes, but is not limited to, AI-generated content, AI-driven data analysis, and AI-based project enhancements. Citation Suggestions: provide the name of the AI tool or technology used; explain how the AI was used in the project; include any relevant references or sources as appropriate.

• You can find learning and exhibit ideas under each project section below or on the State 4-H Project Page. In addition to the suggestions on the website, each exhibit area leaves the possibilities wide open for you to create exhibits that fit your learning and ideas. 

• All displays on poster board, tag board, or other materials should be no larger than 22" x 28", unless otherwise indicated.  Exhibits may be hung by clips on a wall.  If you do not want your exhibit hung by clips, please provide some other type of hanger.  All science displays and three-dimensional exhibits should not exceed a center back section size of 24" wide x 36" high, with left and right wings each no more than 12" wide.  Oversized exhibit permission should be sought from the Extension Office prior to the fair for any exhibits exceeding four feet in height, length, or depth. Oversized exhibits earning a State Fair trip may need to be transported by the member. 

Goals for Exhibiting

We’re in the business of raising “blue ribbon kids.” The experience that 4-H’ers gain from completing exhibits and learning about their projects is invaluable. Some healthy competition takes place, but the outcomes of competition are not the goal of 4-H - our goal is for youth to have a positive learning experience! It is our hope that everyone who participates will learn and grows from the experience at County Fair.

Judging Etiquette

Judges' placings always stand. 4-H members and parents should not confront a judge regarding a class placing. 4-H members may ask questions of the judge in a calm, respectful manner. Parents may observe the conference judging at a distance. Any questions asked by the judge are to be answered by the 4-H member. Please reference the 4-H Code of Conduct or Livestock Show Ethics for more specific information about 4-H expectations.

Conference Judging

Speaking with the judge is an important part of the County Fair experience. Conference judging gives members an opportunity to explain their projects and to answer questions in a “show and tell” manner. Conference judging focuses on what members have learned in a project.  When preparing for conference judging, members should think about these as possible questions:

• Why did you decide to make this item for your County Fair project?

• Why did you select these materials to use in making your project?

• What did you find hardest to do in making your project?

• What would you do differently if you could do it again?

The judge will ask members several questions and discuss with them the quality of their projects as compared to accepted standards for projects of this type.  Ribbon placings are awarded, based 50% on the quality of exhibit and 50% on what members have learned and discussed with the judge. 

Judging Experiences for Youth with Disabilities or Injuries

Minnesota 4-H Youth Development believes that participation in competitive events enhances the depth and breadth of the learning and leading experience. Minnesota 4-H works to provide an equitable and uniform opportunity for participation in competitive events for its members across the state.   Download the full Judging Experiences for Youth with Differing Abilities or Injuries Policy.

Absentee Exhibiting

If exhibitors are unable to attend judging, projects should be entered by a local adult or older club member. In the latter event, a written or visual report about their project and what was learned should accompany all entries. These exhibits are not likely to earn State Fair trips, since conference judging and knowledge learned accounts for 50% of the judge’s decision.  Download the full Statewide Absentee Judging Policy.

Grievance Policy

If a concern in connection with the fair should arise, please speak to an Extension Office staff person. If the issue cannot be resolved, a written account including names of all parties involved and all pertinent information needs be submitted to Extension Office staff within 24 hours. The written account is also signed and accompanied by a $25.00 check payable to Wright County 4-H. Once received, a grievance committee made up of 4-H volunteers will make a decision on the request. If the committee rules in favor of the filer, the fee will be returned. Download the full Minnesota 4-H Grievance Policy.

Community Impact Recognition

Minnesota 4-H wants to recognize youth who are making a difference in their community and are sharing their story through their project(s) and exhibit(s). Judges at local and state showcases will place a recognition sticker on each exhibit where the 4-H’er clearly articulates how their efforts made a positive community impact.

Exhibits and presentations may demonstrate the youth’s community impact efforts through:

• Direct Service: Involves face-to-face interactions with the people, animals, or environment being served - such as distributing meals or cleaning up a park

• Indirect Service: Involves benefiting a cause or group, but there isn’t direct contact with those that benefit - such as fundraising or knitting blankets

• Advocacy: Involves researching issues of public interest and then encouraging action or promoting awareness - such as promoting mindfulness practices to a school curriculum committee, collecting water quality data for a community organization.

Note: to qualify as “community impact”, the project should primarily benefit someone or something more than you individually, or your family

Livestock Guidelines

• Members must show their own animals. Exception: herd class, State Fair line-up, or a class where members have more than one animal.

• All beef, dairy, dairy goat, dog, horse, llama-alpaca, meat goat, poultry (doves/pigeons only), rabbit, sheep and swine shown in 4-H livestock shows must have the required State 4-H ID system, ear tag and/or tattoo. Animal ID data must be submitted online, arrive in the Extension office, or be postmarked no later than May 15, 2026 (with the exception of Market Beef due Feb. 17, 2026).

• All livestock must be exhibited in a type class before entering rate of gain, production, lamb lead, herd, or showmanship competition.

• Show committees and 4-H’ers are responsible for cleaning up show arenas following each exhibition.

• Garbage (specifically twine and pop cans) may not be put in manure piles; please dispose of them properly.

• 4-H livestock exhibits may be shown in the open class. Submit entry forms and fees to the Fair Board to meet open class regulations. 

• Your animal is your responsibility at the fair. Bring everything you need to feed and care for your animal at the fair including, but not limited to, watering pans, wash pails, hay, straw, grain, and grooming equipment. Equipment is taken care of by the 4-H’er. Members are expected to ensure animals are well cared for and animal areas should be kept clean and neat for the public

• County Fair Fitting Rule: All grooming of livestock, including clipping, trimming and manipulation of hair/wool (such as blocking on sheep, pulling up hair on beef and working up top lines on dairy) must be done by the exhibitor, members of the immediate family or a livestock resource person chosen by the 4-H family. Immediate family members are defined as parents, step-parents, legal guardians, brothers or sisters. A livestock resource person is defined as someone who is working with the 4-H’er/4-H family to help them learn management and fitting and grooming skills in their project area.  An identified livestock resource person would be allowed to work with the 4-Her and their family during the fitting and grooming process to guide and teach these skills. The 4-H’er exhibiting the animal must be present and involved in the fitting process at the county fair. 

• No animals may be advertised for sale and no farm, ranch, or sale signs may be displayed or worn in the show ring. The only signs other than 4-H stall cards and champion/reserve champion signs that may be displayed are educationally-based signs with performance or pedigree information and signs with the animal’s name. Only decorations that support the 4-H Youth Development Program are allowed.

• Registered market animals must have registration papers solely in the exhibitor's name, the exhibitor's family name, or the family’s farm name; registered breeding animals must have registration papers solely in exhibitor's name, the exhibitor's family name, or the family’s farm name or be under lease from any other owners (including partnerships). Registered breeding animals that are leased may have registration papers in the animal owners name or farm name.  

Check-In

Livestock exhibits may arrive anytime between noon to 8:00 pm on Tuesday or 8:00 a.m. to noon on Wednesday of fair week.  All livestock need to be in place by 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. 

Livestock or poultry known by the exhibitor to have an infectious, communicable disease, or have been exposed to such disease, or to be from a quarantined herd or flock, may not be entered in the fair.  All livestock will be inspected by the official veterinarian, or their representative, on the opening day of the fair and daily during the fair. The official veterinarian will order the immediate removal from the fair of any livestock with symptoms of infectious or communicable diseases. Warts, ringworm, and abscesses are considered communicable diseases. A statement from a veterinarian that an animal is being treated for these diseases is not acceptable.

Livestock Check-in is a two step process:

Step 1: All exhibitors will need to check-in at the 4-H desk in the 4-H General Exhibit Building. At this booth, exhibitors will pick up their backtag numbers, stall cards, and arm bands (if needed) and be able to ask any questions about the check in process.  4-H'ers should notify staff of any changes to their registration for the show catalogs.  Poultry exhibitors, be sure to bring your pullorum/statement of origin certificates to this check-in as well.

Step 2: Each exhibitor will check-in with the superintendent or volunteer in their barn to have the animal ID tags/tattoos/etc. verified as well as initial registration information.  Please note that superintendents may not be on hand during the entire check-in time, but will come through the barns periodically or have an allotted time to check animals in – please connect with superintendents before the end of the day on Wednesday.

All animals must have their stall cards on display throughout the fair, especially for herdsmanship judging. Make sure you have it displayed in a prominent location or ask for a new one if it gets lost or damaged.

*Note: Entries arriving late cannot be checked in and therefore will be sent home, so be sure you have checked in before 8:00 p.m., or call the office if you are running late due to extenuating circumstances.

Judging

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.

Herdsmanship

Members are expected to do the work in giving the animals proper care, fitting the animal, and for meeting showing/stalling requirements. Members may arrange with other 4-H members to care for animals on show day, but the exhibitor retains responsibility. All members exhibiting animals are expected to keep their stock, pens, tack, and stalls in neat and clean condition, and inviting to the public at all times. Herdsmanship will be judged based on cleanliness of aisle, cleanliness of storage area, cleanliness of stalls, and appearance of animals. We encourage a team spirit in keeping the barns neat and clean. 4-H members are expected to do the work, with limited adult supervision. Clubs with parents working may be docked judging points. Scoring of clubs will be on the following criteria: Cleanliness of aisle, Cleanliness of storage area, Cleanliness of stalls, and Appearance of animals  

Herdsmanship judging takes place fair week between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Special consideration will be given on show day.

Project Release Time

Both livestock and general exhibit projects must be left on display throughout the duration of the fair. 4-H’ers will be able to take their static exhibits and animals home beginning at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Early release is not allowed. Staff will have the building general exhibit building open until 8:30 p.m. that evening. If you cannot make it to pick up your projects that evening, you must ask a friend or another club member to pick them up for you.

Every year we have several projects that don’t get picked up. Left-behind projects can be picked up at the fairgrounds the evening of Fair Clean-up, on July 27 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. or at the Extension office after that, until August 15. Any projects remaining after this date will be donated or thrown out.

Premium Checks

Each 4-H exhibit being shown at the fair receives a monetary prize or “premium”. Premium checks will be mailed out the week following the fair; be sure to check the results page following judging and let the office know asap if there are any errors.

Photos Needed for News Releases

Local newspapers request photos of champion and reserve champion exhibitors with their awards/projects immediately following the fair. Please send your photos to wright@umn.edu or tag our 4-H facebook account throughout the fair or immediately after to be included in the news release.

Thank You Cards

4-H relies on lots of wonderful volunteers and award sponsors to make the county fair possible. Thank you cards are provided for 4-H’ers to use to send a message to these special people on the corner of the stage in the 4-H static exhibit building. 4-H’ers can use the mailbox (also on the stage) to have office staff address and mail out their cards.

Auction Checks & Thank You Cards

Auction participants will be asked to write a thank you card to their buyers and return them to the office before they can receive their checks this year.  Anyone earning over $600 must also fill out a W9 form before they will receive their checks.