THE CLOVER GAZETTE
4-H NEWSLETTER
4-H NEWSLETTER
All 4‑H families must enter their projects, animals, and classes for the Boulder County Fair using the FairEntry system.
Yikes! The deadline to submit all your entries is tomorrow, July 2, at midnight! The system will close right at midnight, and absolutely no late entries can be accepted.
What Families Need to Know:
What it does: FairEntry is the online system that tells the fair exactly what each exhibitor plans to show. 🌟
How to log in: Every 4-H member in your family who is participating in the fair must enter their project by using your family's normal 4HOnline login credentials. 💻
Adding multiple kids: You will select each project, class, or animal for one exhibitor at a time. If you have more than one 4-H member in your home, you can easily add additional exhibitors to your cart before hitting that final submit button! 🎉
The approval pause: If you submit only part of your entries, our extension office must review and approve them before the system will let you go back in and add more. Plan ahead so you do not get locked out waiting for an approval close to the deadline! 🛠️
Get those projects registered so we can celebrate all your hard work at the fair! 🍀✨
The Boulder County Fair is always such an amazing showcase of our members' hard work and creativity! Once the fun wraps up, it will be time to take those awesome projects home.
Please mark your calendars right away for the county fair exhibit release date and times.
When: Monday, August 10th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Where: Exhibit Building at the Boulder County Fairgrounds
Space is limited at our office, so we need to ensure all projects are picked up safely and on time.
For Families: Please make sure you are there during this window, or coordinate with a friend, family member, or club leader to pick up your exhibits for you.
For Leaders: We would love your help! Please check in with your club members to ensure all of your club's projects have a ride home.
We know life gets busy and it is easy for messages to get lost in the shuffle! We want to make sure your family has all the latest updates, deadlines, and fun event details. To help you sort through your inbox, here is a quick guide to how we send information your way. 🔍🌾
General Updates 📰 Most of our big announcements and general communications come directly through the 4HOnline system. When these land in your inbox, the sender name will show up as RegMax-Colorado 4-H. Please keep an eye out for these messages, even if no staff name is attached! 👀🎉
Specific Project and Program Details 🤠 Targeted updates for specific programs will arrive directly through 4-H Online or occasionally from a staff member. We use both of these methods to keep you updated, so it might come as an official system email or as a random update from one of us on the team.
What you can do today: 👍 Add RegMax-Colorado 4-H to your safe sender's list so our messages never end up in your spam folder. Let's make sure you never miss a moment of the 4-H fun! 🍀💚
The General Projects Product Sale is coming up on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM, and the Finance Committee is looking for volunteers to help us run the event.
If you aren't familiar with the sale, it is the night where our non-livestock 4-H members (like our photographers, woodworkers, cake decorators, and rocket builders) get to sell an item they made to local businesses and community buyers. It is a great event that gives our members real-world business experience, and all the money raised goes directly to them to help fund future projects.
We need a team of volunteers to help us keep things moving smoothly behind the scenes. We are looking for assistance with:
Registering our community buyers when they arrive
Logging the auction results in the system during the sale
Helping buyers check out and processing payments at the end of the night
A laptop
Attendance at a brief training session beforehand so you know exactly what to do
We rely on our volunteer community to make this event a success for our members. If you can spend a few hours helping out or if you have any questions, please send us an email at productsale.bcf@gmail.com.
We are building a series of quick, high-energy videos to celebrate our amazing community, and we want our members and volunteers to be the stars! We are looking for short, casual video clips to share the incredible growth, unique projects, and moments that make Boulder County 4-H so special.
You do not need any editing experience at all. Just grab your phone, film a quick clip, and send the raw video straight to Jeannie!
How You Can Help
Pick one of these easy options for your video:
The Beyond Ready Clip: Have your child look at the camera and say, "I am Beyond Ready to..." followed by a skill they learned this year, like baking, rocket building, or public speaking. Volunteers can join in by sharing a leadership skill they gained too!
The Then vs. Now Clip: Show a one second nervous face to represent your very first day in 4-H, followed immediately by a huge, proud smile showing how confident you feel today.
Next Steps to Participate
Keep it short: Ideally, keep your video under ten seconds.
Film horizontally: Record sideways in a well-lit area so we can see your smiling faces clearly.
Send it in: Email your raw video clip directly to Jeannie.
Thank you for helping us showcase our incredible Boulder County 4-H journey!
New to 4-H and wondering how the County Fair actually works? Have a few questions about finishing up your projects? Or do you just want to eat some ice cream and hang out with great people?
Come join us for our annual Summer Ice Cream and Potluck Social! This is a completely relaxed, fun evening designed to celebrate summer and connect our 4-H community. It is the absolute best opportunity for our new families to mingle with veteran members and leaders, ask questions, and get the inside scoop on the upcoming fair season.
When: Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds Picnic Shelter
RSVP Deadline: Monday, July 6, 2026
Provided for You: Youth Council will be providing hot dogs, drinks, and of course, the ice cream.
Potluck Style: We invite our families to bring along a favorite dish to share. Click the RSVP link below
Keeping Our Families Safe: Because we have several members with food allergies, please write out a quick list of your dish’s ingredients and bring it with you to place in front of your food.
We want to make this a wonderful night of food, friendship, and fun for everyone. We can’t wait to see you there! Sign up using the link below.
Planning to camp at the fair this year? Mark your calendars! They will start taking campground reservations for the 2026 Boulder County Fair on Wednesday, June 24, at 8:00 AM.
Available Dates: Monday, July 27 through Sunday, August 9, 2026
Campground Office Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost: $35.00 per night for all sites (includes access to the drive-through Dump Station)
To book a spot(After June 24th), please reach out to Rob Wishar, Campground Host, during office hours:
Phone: 303-682-6762
Email: campground@bouldercounty.gov
When to Pay: Payment must be made at the time of check-in. Failure to pay upon arrival will result in losing your site and your reservation will no longer be valid.
Payment Method: The PayStation accepts credit cards or exact cash only. Please note that the machine cannot give change.
Refunds: We will not be able to give any refunds once payment is made.
Interview Judging Day is coming up on Thursday, July 30th at the Exhibit Building, and we need your help to make it a huge success! We have a couple of spots filled, but we are looking for more awesome teens to join our team for the day.
If you are age 13 or older, this is a fantastic opportunity to give back to our community. Teen clerks are a vital part of judging day, so we are looking for youth who can stay focused and help the event run smoothly. Absolutely no prior experience is necessary!
What You Will Do
As a Teen Clerk, you get to be right in the middle of the action. Your main tasks will be:
Act as an assistant to the project Superintendent.
Welcome members and help check in their projects.
Ensure the correct ribbons are attached to the right projects.
Help arrange the projects in their display areas so they look amazing for the public.
Be a friendly, welcoming face for participants while they wait for their interviews.
The Perks
Free Food: We provide lunch and snacks to keep you energized all day (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
Flexible Scheduling: If you are exhibiting your own projects that day, do not worry! Your Superintendent will work around your schedule so you can easily step away and do your own interviews.
Community Service Hours: This qualifies as an official 4-H community service activity and counts directly toward National Honor Society hours.
How to Sign Up
We have plenty of fun project areas that still need a friendly helper. If you are interested in joining us for a fun day at the fairgrounds, please send an email straight to Jeannie.
Sign-Up Deadline: Please volunteer by July 20th so we can get our team organized and order enough food for everyone!
As we get ready for the Boulder County Fair, it is super important that all 4-H members showing animals have their record books up-to-date! This is a required step to participate in the fair, so let's get those pages filled out. 📑🍀
Here is what you need to know:
Leader Check-In: Your club leader will check your animal record book to make sure it is current and complete before the fair starts. 🔍
The Right Folder: You must use the green 4-H clasp folder for your record book, or a similar type of clasp folder. Please do not use 3-ring binders! 📂
Fair Eligibility: If your record book is not up-to-date and approved by your leader, you will not be allowed to show your animal at the fair. We want to see you and your animals shine, so don't miss this step! 🐮🐷
Helpful Tools to Success:
Record Book Score Sheets: These are the official judging tools provided by Colorado 4-H. They are exactly what will be used to evaluate record books for livestock, horse, dog, and general projects! 📈
Up-to-Date Animal Record Book Checklist: This checklist is a fantastic way to double-check your record book before the fair. It is designed to help members, parents, and leaders make sure everything is completely ready. Note: This checklist is just a helpful guide and is not the same as the final score sheets used for judging. 📝✅
If you have any questions at all, please reach out to your club leader or the 4-H office. We are happy to help you get fair-ready! 💚
Grab your camera or your phone! The Colorado 4-H Online Digital Photo Contest is open, and it is the perfect way to try out a state-level competition.
The best part? This is a completely digital state contest. You do not need to enter or qualify at our county fair first, and you do not even need to be enrolled in the photography project to participate. Anyone can join in the fun! 🎉
Who: All Colorado 4-H members ages 8 to 18.
Deadline: All entries must be submitted by July 17.
The Reward: Winning photos will be printed and beautifully displayed in the 4-H Exhibit Display Dining Hall during the Colorado State Fair! 🏆
Use FairEntry for this contest. Do not worry if you have never used it before, it connects right to your regular 4-H account!
Go to the FairEntry website using the button below.
Click the option to sign in with your 4-H Online account. 🔑
Use your usual family email and password to log in.
Upload your photos! 🖼️
Use the buttons below to read the official rules, download your required photo release form, and submit your masterpiece. We would love to see our county well represented at the State Fair! ✨
Contact Jeannie with questions
Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 25th! We are hosting our Team Benefit Open and 4-H Horse Show. We would love to see our families out there participating, competing, or cheering everyone on.
This show is an "Open" show, which means it is open to the public. Anyone in the community can enter, so it is a great event to invite your friends and neighbors to watch or ride!
All proceeds directly support our horse judging and horse bowl teams as they travel to local, state, and national contests. These trips give our youth incredible opportunities to practice public speaking, connect with college coaches, and even compete for amazing prizes like scholarships and saddles.
Entry Details
Save with Online Entries: Online entries open on July 1st and close on July 24th at 6:00 p.m. Signing up online gets you a discount!
Day-of Entries: You can also just show up and enter the day of the show right at the Show Office.
How You Can Help Support the Team
Donate or Bid: There is still plenty of time to donate to our team! We are also collecting items for our silent auction, which goes online this July. Keep an eye out so you can place your bids.
Spread the Word: Head over to our Facebook page to find the official event page, share it with your friends, and RSVP if you can make it.
Important Links
Show Bill and Patterns: Click the link to view the Show Bill (our event schedule and class list) and riding patterns on the Boulder County 4-H Horse Page.
Online Registration: Ready to sign up? Head straight to the Online Entry Form starting July 1st.
If you have any questions or want to donate a silent auction item, feel free to send us a DM or reach out to the office. We cannot wait to see you there!
June is Dairy Month and is loaded with dairy activities all month long! We will be preparing for the Colorado Dairy Youth Extravaganza, as well as planning for the judging workshops and contest all month. Our weekly live animal workshops will focus on planning, prepping, studying about the industry, and working animals which includes bathing, clipping, grooming, milking, and training animals.
If you are interested in attending any of the events or workshops mentioned below, please contact Tina Pohlmann at 303-828-3789 or runrunnerrun@aol.com.
The largest youth Dairy Show west of the Mississippi will be held in Greeley at the Weld County Fairgrounds in Island Grove Park from June 12 through June 14. This event features 3 days of pure fun, all circled around dairy type activities like:
Dairy related Clinics
Dairy Quiz Bowl
Dairy Olympics
Dairy Judging
Costume Contest
Photo Contest
Showmanship
An all-breed dairy cattle show held on the last day
The Dairy Judging workshops for the State of Colorado begin with 4 live animal workshops and wrap up with the State Dairy Cattle Judging Contest.
Important details for families:
You do NOT need to be enrolled into the Dairy project to learn or compete in the judging program.
Junior and intermediate members are welcome to judge, but only the Seniors can go on to the National level. The State Contest is where senior members can qualify as a team member and move on to compete at a National Dairy Judging competition later this fall.
Contact us if you are interested in learning about judging! We try to car pool together so everyone can go, and we usually stop for lunch following each workshop before heading home. For the State Contest, lunch is supplied for those in the competition.
Workshop & Contest Schedule
July 2nd (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM): Mountain View Farms near Loveland
July 9th (9:30 AM to 11:30 AM): Horizon View Dairy near Kersey
July 16th (Starting at 8:30 AM): State Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at Blue Sky Dairy near Longmont
As we prepare for the Boulder County Fair, it is time to finalize your entries for the Market Sale Book and set up your personal Add-On marketing pages.
All bios and photos must be submitted by July 2, 2026. This deadline is firm to ensure the Junior Livestock Sale Committee has enough time to format and print the booklet before the sale begins.
Why submit early? The sooner you turn in your information, the faster the committee can generate and send you the custom QR code for your personal Add-On page. This gives you more time to reach out to potential buyers.
Your Action Items:
Step 1: Submit Your Bio 📝 Fill out the details for the Add-On Marketing and Sale Brochure. You can submit your information directly through the online form below.
Step 2: Email Your Photo 📸 Send your high-quality exhibitor photo to the committee at jrlivestocksale.bcf@gmail.com. Please include the member's full name in the email subject or body.
Step 3: Market Your Project 🤝 Once your page is live, share your QR code or direct interested buyers to your personal Add-On page and the main Boulder County Junior Livestock Sale website.
Thank you for staying on top of these tasks to help make the junior livestock sale a success! 🍀
Are you raising rabbits this year? We have some exciting updates for our breeding and companion project members, along with the essential deadlines you need to know to be ready for the fair!
Ownership Deadline: All breeding and companion rabbits must be owned and entered in 4HOnline by the last Thursday in April (April 30th, 2026).
NEW FOR 2026: If you met that April deadline, you now have extra flexibility! You may add additional breeding or companion rabbits to your project up until July 2nd. Just make sure to complete the full Animal ID profile in 4HOnline for any new rabbits you add.
Doe Identification Deadline: You must own and identify your kindling doe in 4HOnline by the last Thursday in April (April 30th, 2026).
Mandatory ID Day: All meat pen rabbits project members must tattoo their animals and have DNA pulled for a mandatory Meat Pen ID. Please connect with Brenda by July 6th to manage DNA pull. Rabbit members- check your email for details.
As we get ready for the Boulder County Fair, it is time to make sure those record books are current and complete! Keeping your record book up-to-date is a required step for all 4-H members showing animals, and we want to ensure everyone is cleared to enter the ring.
Club Leader Check (Due before July 1st): Your club leader will review your animal record book to make sure it is current and complete before the fair entries close.
The Right Folder: Please use a green 4-H clasp folder (or a similar type of pronged folder) for your record book. We ask that you do not use 3-ring binders.
Fairgrounds Check: Your project superintendent will check your books again at the fair. Please note that if your record book is not up-to-date and approved, you will not be allowed to show your animal at the fair.
We want this process to be as smooth as possible! Check out these excellent resources to make sure you have everything covered:
1. Up-to-Date Animal Record Book Checklists
These checklists are a great way to double-check your record book before the fair. They are designed to help members, parents, and leaders make sure everything is in tip-top shape. (Note: These checklists are just guides and are different from the final score sheets used for judging).
2. Official Record Book Score Sheets
These are the official judging tools provided by Colorado 4-H. They will be used to evaluate your completed record books at the end of the project year.
If you have any questions at all as you fill out your pages, please reach out to your club leader or the 4-H Extension office. We are always here to help you get fair-ready!
Join us for our June workshop as we shift our focus to project work and skill building! Whether you are stitching a garment or starting a new crochet pattern, these sessions are the perfect time to get hands-on help.
What to Bring: We have 4 sewing machines available to use, but you must bring your own notions (thread, scissors, fabric, patterns, hooks, yarn, etc.).
Important Note: Some dates may have limited times specifically for crochet or sewing. Check the calendar for specific time slots.
To compete at county or State shoots, you must have completed the CO Hunter Safety Course. A copy or photo of your Hunters Safety Card needs to be uploaded online or sent to Lisa Wallace before the county shoot. You may practice without completing the course, but you must have it done to compete at the County Fair shoot in July. This portion of the project is NOT provided by 4-H. If you have not completed the course, sign up for a class at the Colorado Parks & Wildlife site. Keep checking back as some are added daily, but they do fill very quickly.
All shooters are required to complete your shooters card per discipline. This includes 1 safety class AND 5 safe practices, signed off by a Boulder County certified 4-H Shooting Sports leader by the shoot date in July.
.22 Rifle Practices
County practices will be held at Green Mill Sportsman Club, weather permitting. There will be 2 separate practice shifts from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM and again from 10:00 AM to Noon. A SignUpGenius link will be sent out to participate for each practice.
July 6th: DEADLINE to Pre-Register to shoot .22 Rifle at the BCF Shoot
July 12th: Practice at Green Mill
July 18th: COUNTY SHOOT at Green Mill
.22 Pistol Practices
County practices will be held at Green Mill Sportsman Club, weather permitting, from 10:00 AM to Noon on range LE100. A SignUpGenius link will be sent out to participate for each practice.
July 6th: DEADLINE to Pre-Register to shoot .22 Pistol at the BCF Shoot
July 12th: Practice at Green Mill
July 19th: COUNTY SHOOT at Green Mill
Air Rifle & Air Pistol Practices
Remaining scheduled practices will be held inside Barn A at the Boulder County Fairgrounds promptly from 5:45 PM to 8:00 PM. A SignUpGenius link will be sent out to participate for each practice.
July 6th deadline to Pre-Register to shoot at the BCF Shoot
July 13th in Barn A
July 16th, in Barn A
July 17th COUNTY SHOOT @ BCF Barn A
Archery Practices
Remaining Archery practices to receive a signature are listed below. County practices will be held at Green Mill Sportsman Club (weather permitting) 5:30 to 8 PM A Sign up Genius - will be sent out to participate for each practice.
July 6th deadline to Pre-Register to shoot at the BCF Shoot
July 8th at Green Mill – Archery Range
July 15th COUNTY SHOOT @ BCF Indoor Arena
Boulder County Fair Shoot Dates all require pre-registration to shoot via Boulder County Extension by July 6th, (all but shotgun), shotgun by July 24th
July 15th Archery - pre-registration to shoot by July 6th
July 17th Air Rifle & Air Pistol - pre-registration to shoot by July 6th
July 18th .22 Rifle - pre-registration to shoot by July 6th
July 19th .22 Pistol - pre-registration to shoot by July 6th
July 23rd & 24th Shotgun Events - pre-registration by July 24th
Boulder County Fair Project Interview Judging is Thursday, July 30th (project completion & record books due for judging are required for shooting awards & State Fair ), and also requires pre-registration via Boulder County Fair Entry by July 2nd. See the BCF General Projects Premium book for entry information, classes & requirements. You will have 3 choices for an exhibit: a show board, a stand-alone project, or a decorative item. If you would like to sell a SS item at the Product Sale on Aug 1, please nominate an item at FairEntry and bring a second item to judging day to sell.
It is time to get ready for the Boulder County Fair shoots and exhibits! Please read through the schedules, pre-registration links, and essential safety requirements below to make sure you are ready to participate.
⚠️ Essential Note for ALL Shooters: To shoot at the Boulder County Fair Shoot in July, and to qualify for State Fair Shoots, all shooting disciplines must have completed 1 safety class for that discipline, have at least 5 safe practices signed off from a Boulder County 4-H certified Shooting Sports instructor on the 2026 practice card, and have a Hunters Safety card.
What to bring: Bring your completed practice card (unless already turned in to the Extension Office) and your Hunters Education card with you to check-in for all fair shoots. Practice cards must be complete by the shoot date.
Archery (Pre-register by July 6)
Pre-registration Link: Archery Form
BCF Archery Shoot: Wednesday, July 15 at the Indoor Arena
Times:
Shooter Check-in: 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
All Shooters Safety Meeting: 10:00 AM
Relay 1: Starts immediately after the safety meeting with the Seniors on the 3-D range. Juniors will immediately follow the Seniors on the 3-D Range. After the 3-D rounds end, there will be an hour break for lunch.
Relay 2: FITA rounds will resume after lunch, starting with the Seniors, then the Juniors.
Air Rifle & Air Pistol (Pre-register by July 6)
Pre-registration Link: Air Disciplines Form
BCF Air Shoot: Friday, July 17 in Barn A
Schedule: Check-In: 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM (All Shooters) | Meeting: 3:45 PM | Shoot Starts: 4:00 PM
.22 Rifle (Pre-register by July 6)
Pre-registration Link: .22 Rifle Form
BCF 22 Rifle Shoot: Saturday, July 18 at Green Mill (Erie)
Schedule: Check-In: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM at the LE50 Range (All Shooters) | Meeting: 8:45 AM | Shoot Starts: 9:00 AM
.22 Pistol (Pre-register by July 6)
Pre-registration Link: .22 Pistol Form
BCF 22 Pistol Shoot: Sunday, July 19 at Green Mill (Erie)
Schedule: Check-In: 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM at the LE100 Range (All Shooters) | Meeting: 8:45 AM | Shoot Starts: 9:00 AM
Muzzleloading (Pre-register by July 6)
Pre-registration: Contact Lisa at lwallace@bouldercounty.gov
BCF Muzzleloading Shoot: Sunday, July 19 at Green Mill
Schedule: Check-In: Around Noonish (following Pistol Awards) for the All Shooters Meeting | Shoot Starts: 12:30 PM
Shotgun: Trap (Pre-register by July 24)
Pre-registration Link: Shotgun Trap Form
BCF Shotgun Trap Shoot: Saturday, July 25 at Berthoud
Schedule: Check-In: 8:30 AM | Meeting: 8:45 AM | Shoot Starts: 9:00 AM
Shotgun Games: Skeet / 5-Stand (Pre-register by July 24)
Pre-registration Link: Shotgun Games Form
BCF Shotgun Skeet/5-Stand: Sunday, July 26 at Great Guns
Schedule: Check-In: 7:30 AM at Great Guns (GG) | Meeting: 7:45 AM | Shoot Starts: 8:00 AM
Exhibit Pre-Registration (Deadline: July 2)
All General Project members will pre-register their exhibits online using FairEntry.
FairEntry opens on May 15, 2026.
Register your project(s) in FairEntry no later than July 2, and please use a detailed description of your project.
An additional sign-up link for an interview time will be sent to you. Be sure to keep the judging date open to avoid conflicts.
Interview Judging Day: Thursday, July 30, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Exhibit Building.
Product Sale Opportunities (Deadline: July 2)
The Product Sale for General Projects is a little earlier this year! You can nominate to sell a decorative or stand-alone item at the Product Sale on August 1st.
This requires you to complete a nomination form in FairEntry no later than July 2nd.
You must bring 2 items for your interview: 1 to use as your fair exhibit and 1 to sell at the sale.
Product Sale Details: Saturday, August 1, 2026. Check-in is at 4:00 PM, and the sale begins at 5:00 PM in the Exhibit Building (EB).
July 2, 2026: Exhibit Registration & Product Sale Nomination Deadline in FairEntry
July 6, 2026: Pre-enter BCF Shoots Deadline for most disciplines (Archery, Air, .22, Muzzleloading)
July 24, 2026: Pre-enter BCF Shoot Deadline for Shotgun
July 30, 2026: Interview Judging (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM)
August 1, 2026: Product Sale (Check-in 4:00 PM, Sale 5:00 PM)
August 10, 2026: Project Pickup
August 22-23: 4-H Shooting Sports State Championships: .22 Rifle, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Archery, Muzzleloading
September 5-6: 4-H Shooting Sports State Championships: .22 Pistol, Shotgun
More details and links to pre-register for the shooting portion are listed in the Shoot Off Letter sent out in June by Lisa. You can also visit the Boulder County Fair website for the latest updates.
The Boulder County Fair is right around the corner and there are plenty of ways for your family and clubs to get involved. Check out these exciting updates and head over to the Fair website to get started!
Parade entries are officially open! This community tradition is open to all groups and local businesses. This year, the parade is being hosted in collaboration with the Kiwanis of Longmont. It is a wonderful way to showcase your club or business to the entire community during the first Saturday of the Fair in downtown Longmont.
Do you know a family that goes above and beyond for our community? Applications for the Fair Family are now live. This tradition has been a part of the Fair since 1956.
The Fair Board chooses a family based on their contributions to the Fair, 4-H/FFA, and the local community. The selected Fair Family will represent us in the Fair Parade and may be recognized at exciting Grandstand events like the rodeos and the Demolition Derby.
Get ready for some high energy fun! Tickets for our 2026 Grandstand events go on sale March 31. We are thrilled to confirm this year's lineup:
CPRA Rodeo
Tractor Pull
Demolition Derby
Mexican Rodeo Fiesta
We are continuing our all in pricing model for 2026. This means the price you see is exactly what you pay with no hidden fees.
Click the button below to submit your parade entry, nominate a family, or grab your event tickets!
Does your pig love to ham it up for the camera? Do you have a goat that gobbles up applause, a pony that loves the limelight, or a dog that knows a few tricks? Whether it is a guinea pig, cat, cow, chicken, horse, sheep, or duck, we want to see your animals with royal potential!
All project members are invited to enter their favorite animals in the Boulder County Fair Royal Critter Contest. This is a fun way to showcase the personality of your animals and celebrate the spirit of the fair.
Finalists will compete in person on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, where one lucky critter will be crowned the official Critter King or Queen of the Boulder County Fair.
You can find more information and the entry form by clicking the button below to visit the Fair website.
Saddle up, little ladies, your crown is waiting! Round up your future rodeo queens (ages 4 to 10) and join us for a rootin’ tootin’ royal good time. We only have about a dozen slots left for this free event, so you will want to grab your spot fast!
When: Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Clover Building
Who: Future rodeo queens ages 4 to 10
Cost: Free!
Fun Activities: A stick horse rodeo, real photo shoots, and a chance to meet the royal horses!
Food: Delicious lunch is provided for participants.
Memories: Plenty of smiles, learning, and royal moments.
This is a fantastic, low pressure way for our younger community members to get involved, explore the world of rodeo royalty, and have an absolute blast.
Did you know that any General Project member can sell an item at the Boulder County Fair live auction? It is a fantastic way to showcase your talents and earn some money for your project work!
How the 2-Item Rule Works To participate, you simply make two versions of your project:
Item 1: This version is exhibited at the Boulder County Fair and has the chance to qualify for the State Fair.
Item 2: This is a duplicate version that you bring to sell at the live auction for a profit!
Note for Bakers: If you are in Foods & Nutrition (Units 1 through 4) or Cake Decorating (Units 1 through 6 & Unit 8) , just make your duplicate item right before the sale so it is perfectly fresh for the buyers!
Boost Your Sales You can maximize your earnings by inviting family, friends, and neighbors to come out and bid on your item. Pass out our official sale flyers or create your own with a custom QR code. Plus, anyone can support you by contributing "Add-On" funds to your project through August 5th!
Thursday, July 2: Deadline to enter your projects and submit your Product Sale Nomination Form in FairEntry. You can nominate multiple entries on one form just to let us know you are interested!
July 30 | Sale Intent Form Due: Submit the form stating which item you commit to sell. Please note that you may only sell 1 item.
July 30 | Interview Judging Day: Bring your FairEntry item AND your Product Sale item to the Fairgrounds (with the exception of fresh baked items).
August 1 | Product Sale Night: Show up looking sharp, act like a pro, and prepare to sell!
August 14 to September 10 | Thank You Letters: Deliver your thank you letters to the Extension Office. Complete the ancient ritual of appreciation by writing to your buyer and add-on sponsors in addressed, stamped, and sealed envelopes, because nothing says "future entrepreneur" like making money and then politely saying thank you like a boss!
For more information, visit the Boulder County Fair website or email fairentry@bouldercountyfair.org.
Are you interested in traveling the world from the comfort of your own home? IFYE USA (formerly known as the International Farm Youth Exchange) is looking for local families to participate in an unforgettable cultural experience.
In 2026, Colorado will welcome an international delegate from June 8 through August 14. We are currently seeking four to five host families to open their homes for two to three weeks during this period.
While the specific delegate has not been identified yet, we anticipate hosting a young adult aged 19 to 29 from one of the following countries: Chile, Estonia, Germany, Kenya, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, or Zambia.
As a host family, you help a delegate experience the American way of life firsthand while they share their own unique culture with your family in meaningful and memorable ways.
Hosting: Families provide housing, meals, and transportation during the stay.
Support: Delegates bring their own spending money and are fully covered by health and liability insurance.
The Goal: Build international friendships and share cultures right from your own home.
If you are interested in hosting or have questions about the program, please contact our state IFYE inbound coordinator, Beth Roren, at mbroren@ifyeusa.org.
Please take note of some important changes for the 2026 State Fair 4-H Dog Trials. The state rules have been updated, and the event has moved to a new location to help everyone plan ahead.
The trials will now be held at the Indoor Arena at the Douglas County Fairgrounds: 500 Fairgrounds Road Castle Rock, CO 80104
Saturday, August 29: All Obedience classes.
Saturday, August 29: Rally classes including Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent, RAE, Masters, and Team Rally.
Sunday, August 30: All Showmanship classes.
Sunday, August 30: Novice Rally classes.
The Colorado 4-H State Fair Event Page now has the most recent document reflecting these changes. You can also find updated links there for the 4-H Dress Code and the Dog Trials score sheets to make sure you are ready for the ring.
Be sure to check the Dog Project Page on the state website for the full list of updated rules.
We want to hear from our youth members! Colorado 4-H is participating in the 2026 National 4-H Index Study to help us understand how well we are preparing young people for the future. This is part of the "Beyond Ready" initiative, which focuses on making sure our members are ready for both work and life.
By taking this survey, you help us:
Improve Our Programs: We use your feedback to measure the quality of the 4-H experience.
Track Trends: This helps us understand what matters most to Gen Z today.
Tell Our Story: Your honest opinions help us show the real impact 4-H has on the community.
If you are a 4-H member ages 13 and up, you should have received an invitation through 4-H Online. The survey is completely anonymous, and we encourage you to share your honest thoughts!
Who: Youth members ages 13 and up.
Where: Check your email for the 4-H Online invitation.
Deadline: Please complete the survey by July 15, 2026.
Are you ready to show off what you know about your favorite animals? We invite all 4-H members to join us for a day of hands-on learning and friendly competition at our upcoming Skill-a-thon!
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Location: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Barn A
Who Can Join: This event is open to all 4-H members.
Stay tuned for more details and registration information coming soon!
Quick Tip for New Families: A Skill-a-thon is a series of stations where you identify different animal breeds, equipment, and types of feed. It is a "learn by doing" event that is perfect for testing your project knowledge in a fun atmosphere!
04/18-Dog Project Workshop (Barn A)
04/20-MQA (Barn A)
04/30- Deadline Day (Animal ID, add/drop, Enrollment)
05/01- Swine ID due
05/04-Market Goat/Sheep Tag-In (Barn C)
05/17-Rocket Fly Day (N. Parking Lot)
07/02- Deadline- Fair Entry
07/15-Archery Shoot Off (Indoor Arena)
07/16-17-Shooting Sports Shoot Off (Barn A)
10/14-Achievement Night (Exhibit Building)
10/21-Open House (Exhibit Building)
11/18-Shooting Sports Banquet (Barn A)
4-H Youth Development/ Outreach County Specialist
4-H Youth Development/ Livestock & Animals County Specialist
4-H Project Assistant
4-H Communications and Engagement Coordinator
Boulder County Extensions Office
9595 Nelson Rd, Box B
Longmont, Colorado 80501
(303) 678-6238
Colorado State University Extension is an equal opportunity provider.
Colorado State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations.
CSU’s Office of Engagement and Extension ensures meaningful access and equal opportunities to participate to individuals whose first language is not English.
Colorado State University Extension es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
Colorado State University no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad y se compromete a proporcionar adaptaciones razonables.
Office of Engagement and Extension de CSU garantiza acceso significativo e igualdad de oportunidades para participar a las personas quienes su primer idioma no es elinglés. Col.st/ll0t3