State Fair Information

Livestock Encampment August 20-24

General Exhibit Encampment August 28-30

4-H’ers who qualify, can bring a livestock or general exhibit to the MN State Fair to exhibit. Wright County 4-H’s General Exhibit encampment dates are August 28-30 (other counties may have different encampment dates). Youth can choose to go for a day trip when they have their conference judging or can stay for all three days in 4-H housing. Livestock exhibitors are expected to attend and care for their animals for the entirety of the encampment, but may stay on or off grounds.

Note: For all state events, Wright County 4-H will pay the program/registration fee if a 4-H’er/family works a shift at the foodstand. 4-H’ers are responsible for additional event/lodging/meal/class fees. Need-based scholarships are also available.   *Confidential need-based scholarships full the full amount are available - enquire with the 4-H Extension Educator.*

4-H members may participate in State Fair activities in the following ways:

• 4-H’ers may take a general exhibit as well as a livestock exhibit each year. State Horse (including horseless horse/horse related) and Dog Show trips are separate from State Fair trips, which means a 4-H’er may accept a State Fair trip as well as a State Horse and/or Dog Show trip. 

• There is a limit of 6 State Fair activities per participant, group or individual. Examples include: County Arts-In, team presentation, individual presentation, Share-the-Fun, judging team, project exhibit, etc. Participation in multiple activities may not always be possible because of schedule conflicts. Some scheduling is not finalized until late August. 

4-H’ers must meet the following requirements to earn a State Fair trip:

• Completed sixth grade, except youth participating in a club Share-the-Fun act (no overnights)

• Enrolled as 4-H member by May 15

• Project registered for County Fair by June 13 on the FairEntry website.

• Animal ID's completed by the appropriate deadline (see http://z.umn.edu/animalidinfo for more information)

• Current Livestock Quality Assurance and Ethics Training Certification for livestock exhibitors (see http://z.umn.edu/statewidelqae for more information)

Participation in Wright County 4-H Foodstand every year and a shift at the Wright Hennepin Dinner every other year is required to receive a 4-H scholarship to cover a portion of registration fees.

 If a winning 4-H’er does not meet these requirements, his/her trip will be awarded to the next ranking eligible member. 

Quick Version:

1. Judges create a list of projects that they feel are State Fair competition worthy during each judging event. These “State Fair line-ups” will be posted below shortly after judging concludes.  Exhibitors should check the State Fair Line-ups as soon as possible, starting Wednesday morning for general exhibits, or shortly after each livestock show. 

2. Accept or decline your trips ASAP and pick up an information packet at the 4-H Desk.  Trips not claimed by Saturday at 2:00 pm will be opened up to alternates.

3. Online registration and payment must be submitted to the 4-H desk at the fair prior to Sunday at 2:00 p.m. 

4. Attend a State Fair Exhibitor’s Meeting at the stage in the 4-H exhibit building:

   • General Exhibits —Saturday 2:00 p.m.

   • Livestock—Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Detailed Version:

1. At the conclusion of judging events (entry day, livestock shows, etc.), judges select the projects that they feel are State Fair competition worthy.  These “State Fair line-ups” will then be posted on the wall in the 4-H exhibit building.  General exhibits will also have an orange ribbon designation on the results page. Exhibitors should check the State Fair Line-ups as soon as possible, starting Wednesday morning for general exhibits, or shortly after each livestock show. 

   1. 1. •  For livestock projects, there are a limited number of trips.  For these projects, the judge will award the appropriate number of trips (per state guidelines) to the top winners and select alternates.  If a primary trip earner declines the trip, the first alternate will have the option to take a trip, if an additional person declines the trip, the second alternate will be eligible, and so on and so forth until all trips are filled.

         • For all other general exhibits, the judge will create a list of all projects they feel are state fair quality. If your name is on the list, and you have met all the eligibility requirements, you have earned a State Fair trip and can get registered! 

2. For projects with trip limits, accept/decline the trip(s) as soon as possible on the poster on the wall of the 4-H building. This way alternates on the list know if a trip will be available for them. Primary earners of State Fair trips are expected to accept their trips by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and after that, trips will be opened up to alternates in order of line-up. Horse trip lists tend to be posted Saturday morning due to the points calculations, so those trips are expected to just be accepted by the end of the fair. Those listed as alternates for unclaimed horse trips will be contacted as soon as the fair ends. 

3. Read through the “4-H State Fair Exhibitor Guide” and registration instructions (below) containing information about options for State Fair exhibition, costs, judging schedules, details on how to sign up, and more. Printed guides will also be available for pick-up at 4-H desk anytime throughout the fair.  

4. Attend the exhibitor meeting - General Exhibit Projects Saturday, July 26 at 2:00 p.m. or Livestock Sunday, July 27 at 10:30 a.m. at the 4-H exhibit building stage. 

5. Registration and payment should be submitted prior to Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Computers will be available at the 4-H desk to use if needed. Gate passes and meal tickets (as needed) will be mailed out after the fair.  *Confidential need-based scholarships are available - inquire with 4-H Staff.

6. State Fair Animal ID Check:  State Fair livestock exhibitors must be present by their animal on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. and remain with their animal until the ID has been checked by a 4-H staff member or livestock superintendent.

7. All State Fair projects will need to be taken home at the end of the fair.  Members can make any repairs or changes recommended by the judges.  Livestock, oversized exhibits, and perishable projects are the member’s responsibility to transport to the State Fair. All other projects should be dropped off to the office for transport to the State Fair by the deadline listed in the State Fair paperwork packet. 

8. State Fair participants are expected to attend 4-H judging and any applicable education experience associated with the trip they have accepted. In the event of an emergency, if a 4-H’er is unable to attend, Wright County 4-H staff need to be notified. Missed events without contacting a Wright County 4-H staff member can lead to reimbursement of any state trip scholarships you received.

No late registrations will be accepted after August 1 - no exceptions!

Find more details at the 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair Member Site.

State Fair Exhibit Guide:

**INSERT EXHIBITOR GUIDE

**INSERT JUDGING SCHEDULE

Register online using our State Fair Online Registration Form

Payment Calculation Worksheet:

**INSERT State fair payment worksheet