Rules & Regulations

MASSAC COUNTY YOUTH FAIR RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Massac County Youth Fair Board of Directors encourages the participation of all eligible youth in the fair

exhibits and activities. However, the Board recognizes the necessity of certain rules and regulations to ensure

that the animals and articles exhibited are the results of the youths’ efforts and experiences supported by family

members and other caring adults.

Premiums will be paid at the fair office Saturday, July 19th, between 2 & 5 p.m. Premiums for Saturday’s

market shows will be paid after the shows are completed, the books balanced and the checks written. This will

be at least one hour after the completion of each market show. Exhibitors who are unable to pick up their

premiums at this time must arrange for a trusted friend or relative to sign for and pick up those premiums.

Please note the fair is required to issue a 1099 to any exhibitor whose gross

premiums are $600 or more.

All exhibits must stay on the fairgrounds the three (3) days of the fair for which they are scheduled, with the

exception of cats, dogs, horses, steers, wethers, market swine, ducks and rabbits. Exhibits will be released at 2

p.m. Saturday, July 19, except as otherwise noted. Exhibits picked up earlier will not be eligible for

premiums. Exhibits must be picked up between 2 & 5 p.m. July 19, unless prior arrangements for later pick-up

are made at the fair office. Any exhibits not picked up by 5 p.m. July 19, and for which later pick-up has

not been arranged, will become the property of the fair

.

ALL PROJECTS MUST BE FROM THE SAME YEAR AS THE FAIR. THERE SHOULD BE NO

REPEAT PROJECTS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS. ENTRIES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS MAY

RESULT IN A DISQUALIFICATION.

Entry and maintenance fees will apply to all winning entries.

Entries are open only to boys and girls ages 7-21 inclusive who live in the following counties: Massac, Pulaski,

Pope, Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Williamson, Saline, Union, Jackson, Gallatin, White, and Hamilton, with the

following exceptions: Education & Natural History, Horse & Pony, Dogs and Cats, which will include younger

children as noted in the department listings, and Horse & Pony, Steer, Wether and Market Swine, which will

have no residence requirement except as noted in individual classes. Exhibitors must turn 7 any time

during 2025, but must not turn 22 anytime in 2025.

Entries must be appropriate for exhibit at a family fair. The Board reserves the right to rule on the eligibility of

any entry. Massac County Youth Fair is a family fair; language and behavior must be appropriate for a family

fair. Anyone using inappropriate or offensive language or behavior, including exhibitors, family members,

volunteers, fairgoers and anyone else on the fairgrounds, will be asked to leave. An exhibitor who is asked to

leave will be ineligible for premiums.

Judges will disqualify any entries not meeting the qualifications and rules in this premium book.

All animals showing must be under the ownership of the exhibitor or his or her immediate family by June 1.

Registered animals must be under the ownership of the exhibitor. Proof of ownership must be produced when

called for by the superintendent. Animals must be entered under the same name each time they are shown.

Animals cannot be listed under one name in the singles classes and under another name, or partnership name, in

the group classes. Help is permitted in showing animals. All helpers must be between the ages of 7 and 21.

Only animals entered and stabled on the show premises can compete for any premiums offered, with the exception

of market swine, steers, market lambs, wethers, horses, cats, dogs, ducks and rabbits.

Exhibitors are encouraged to send in registration forms by July 1 so that an adequate amount of space for

animals and exhibits can be assured. Departments may be combined in one form, but a separate form must be

used for each exhibitor. Forms should be sent to Massac County Youth Fair, P.O. Box 882, Metropolis, IL 62960 or, information from the form, including exhibitor's name, address, phone number, age, grade just completed, department letters, class numbers and description: plus, for livestock, birthdates and tag numbers; can be e-mailed to youthfairmassac@gmail.com.

All exhibitors must have their livestock entries in place at the appointed times.  All other entries must be entered according to instruction in each department as outlined in the premium book.  No entries shall be removed until released by the management.  Any exhibitor failing to comply with the above rules will forfeit his or her premiums won during the fair.  

Pens and stalls for beef cattle, sheep and swine will be available on a first come, first served basis starting 9 a.m. Sunday, July 13.  Health papers will be called for before or at the time livestock is unloaded.  Exhibitors must bring proof of age of each animal they enter.  Purebred livestock must have registration papers available in the name of the exhibitor.  

Each exhibitor is responsible for his or her own feeding equipment and straw, and must keep his or her pens and stalls in good order.  Walkways in all barns must be kept clear for safety.  Equipment, supplies, feed, bedding, etc., may not be left in the walkway.  All livestock must be dry bedded.  The fair is yours, and it will be up to you to keep your pens and area in good shape.  Premiums will be withheld from any exhibitor failing to keep pens in a presentable manner, or cleaned up before you leave. 

By order of the fire marshal, no smoking is permitted in the barn area or in the exhibit hall.  A first offense will merit a verbal warning; a second offense will merit a written warning.  A third offense will result in being asked to leave the fairgrounds and forfeiture of premiums. 

Overnight sleeping rules:  Those staying must have adult supervision and observe quiet hours after the completion of fair activities for the night.  Any youth planning to spend the night should inform Board President Tammie Obermark that he or she will be there, and give her the name of the adult who will be with him or her.  Camping fee is $20 per day.  If campers are hooked up to electricity, that is considered camping. 

Each exhibitor is limited to two entries per class. 

Please remember that exhibits are brought to the fair to be shown and the attractiveness of the fair depends on the presentation of the exhibits.  Education & Natural History, Fine Arts and Crafts projects which hang must be mounted for display.  Baked goods and candies must be on plates, then placed in clear zipper bags.  Clear containers may be used for items too large to fit in zipper bags.  Clear plastic bags must be used for wool and flakes of hay.  

Exhibit hall hours are Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon; Friday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon.  The exhibit hall will close at 1 p.m. Tuesday for judging and display, and will reopen at 9 a.m. Thursday.

While the Youth Fair will take every precaution to avoid thefts and accidents, the fair association cannot and will not be responsible for accidents or damage to exhibits or exhibitors or anyone in attendance. 

Anything handed out on the fairgrounds must have prior approval of the fair board. 

The fairgrounds will close at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 19.  All livestock and supplies need to be removed by this time and barns cleaned up, as water will be turned off to the livestock area. 

The decision of the board president, fair superintendent, and assistant superintendent will be final.  

For additional information contact: 

Fair Superintendent Clint Smith

6383 New Hope Road

Belknap, IL  62908

618-638-2120