Needed yet are volunteers to take the projects to State Fair on Tuesday, August 8th. If you would be willing to do this, contact the office ASAP. Federation will reimburse you for your mileage.

Each year we have the opportunity to select 4-H'ers to represent our county in the Jr. Department exhibit building competition at the Ill State Fair. 4-H'ers selected for this honor will receive yellow rosettes during judging at our local 4-H Fair.

4-H'ers that are selected will need to have the State Fair 4-H Exhibit Report attached to their project for judging on Sat., Aug. 5th.

If your project is selected it is mandatory that you and a parent attend the State Fair meeting that afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the Hospitality Tent. Because of the short turn-around time between our judging and getting the projects to State Fair on Tuesday, we need to know your decision right away. Three-dimensional projects will need to be packaged in a box and posters should be covered with a garbage bag so they can deliver as safely as possible to the State Fair. They will remain on display for the duration of the state fair. At the conclusion of State Fair, volunteers will bring the exhibits back on Aug. 20. Members will then be able to pick up their exhibits from the Extension Office.

Having said that, a few projects have been specifically designated for a conference-judging option for 4-H'ers. The conference judging opportunity will ONLY be offered on the designated county judging day, August 14. Conference judging for these projects is an OPTION, it is not mandatory. Exhibits to be conference-judged will need to be checked-in and released at designated times during the day of our assigned judging day.

Here are the dates for the few projects with this option:

Saturday, Aug. 12 or Aug. 19 - Bicycle Safety Rodeo, must designate which day attending

Monday, Aug. 14 - Food Skill-A-Thon Classes, Food Demonstrations, Club/Group Exhibits, 4-H Chicken BBQ Contest, Aerospace, Financial Champions, Geology, Interior Design, Journalism, Sewing & Textiles, Woodworking, Visual Arts - Clay & Heritage Arts.

You will need to bring your packing materials to the 4-H Exhibit Building between 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 6, to get your exhibit ready to go to state fair. You will need to include your state fair exhibit tag, a list of pieces/parts and your State Fair 4-H Exhibit Report with your project.

Every 4-H'er participating in the State Fair Jr. Livestock & Horse Shows will need to present their Quality Assurance & Ethics certification card or certificate during animal processing at the State Fair. This will speed along your entry process greatly.

you must have turned 10 years old by 9/01/05 and meet the eligibility requirements for participation in your project area.

Will be held Sunday, August 27, at the State Fairgrounds. Exhibitors must be pre-registered, have an entry score sheet signed and dated by the 4-H dog judge. If you are planning on attending the State Fair Dog Show, you must fill out all necessary paper work following the show on Saturday, July 29.

Will be August 12 & 19 at State Fair. Exhibitors must designate which of the two days they will participate. To participate you must be selected at the 4-H Fair, purchase a car pass to get in and fill out an entry form.

check it out at the state website: http://www.state.il.us/fair/

Will be held during the McLean Co. 4-H Fair on Saturday, August 6, at the Interstate Center, Bloomington. Participants must be 14 years of age as of January 1, 2005. Premiums will be jackpot based. Contest begins at 9:00 a.m.

For more information contact the Extension Office.