State Fair Rules for General Projects & Jr. Livestock

1. Any boy or girl in Illinois, who is enrolled as a 4-H member and is at least 10 years old as of September 1, 2008 may participate in 4-H classes and activities, providing the exhibitor meets the eligibility rules for participation. Parents and leaders should be aware of conditions on the Fairgrounds and in the Junior Department Dormitories and make provisions for the adequate care and supervision of exhibitors.

2. Exhibitors must be enrolled in the project or have participated in the activity in which they are exhibiting during the current year.

3. All entries must be products of the current 4-H year (September 1, 2008 - August 31, 2009). The same product or speech that is selected at the county level must be the one exhibited at the State Fair, adjusted to State Fair class requirements. The exceptions include exhibits in the areas of Food & Nutrition (must be the same recipe), Crops, Fruit or Nut Plates, and Vegetable Market Baskets/Plates. Modifications can be made to the original county exhibit to 1) meet State Fair class requirements, or 2) incorporate suggested improvements made by the local judge. Determination of exhibit eligibility rests solely with the University of Illinois Extension Assistant Dean and Director, 4-H and designated persons.

4. Counties will make all entries in this division via computer upload.

5. Each county may make the number of entries allowed in each area as stated.

6. If a 4-H member needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in the Junior Department, contact the State 4-H Office at 217/333-0910 by August 1, 2009. For counties who have late entry permission (#4), contact must be made as soon as the 4-H member's participation is confirmed on the county level.

7. An individual 4-H'er may enter ONLY ONE exhibit class in the 4-H Exhibit Division. Exhibitors will need to check in at specific times on their county's assigned date. Exact check-in times will be provided to local Extension offices by mid-July. Presentation and conference judging times will be assigned at check-in. Exhibitors not reporting at their designated time will forfeit their time and may be placed at the end of the day's schedule. NOTE: Some judging will take place in the Exposition Building; exhibitors should plan to allow extra time to arrive at this location. Check-in and judging times for the Exposition Building will vary from the other locations.

8. Exhibits illustrating inappropriate subject matter and/or graphics are not acceptable. The Superintendents reserve the right to not display exhibits deemed inappropriate for youth audiences. Items deemed potentially dangerous to fair-goers may be removed from the exhibit.

9. All conference-judged exhibits must be identified with an official entry tag. This entry tag is to be completely filled out and securely attached to the exhibit. Conference-judged projects must remain on display until 12:00 p.m. if judged in the morning and 4:00 p.m. if judged in the afternoon in order to receive a premium award. (Release times for Exposition Building exhibits are 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.)

10. CLOVER CHALLENGE exhibit classes are included in many of the General 4-H Sections. These classes are ONLY for 15-18 year olds who are enrolled in Clover Challenge projects in that specific exhibit project area. Clover Challenge projects are to be "above and beyond" what the 4-H project books cover. Exhibit a display illustrating the Clover Challenge area that you explored. This could include anything NOT covered in the project book, including but not limited to career exploration or an in-depth study of s specific topic in that project's subject matter. The completed Illinois 4-H Clover Challenge Agreement must be presented with the exhibit.

11. The Illinois State Fair, State 4-H Office, and local University of Illinois Extension personnel or their assigned agents do not assume liability for loss, theft, or damage to any exhibit.

12. Judges are permitted to award Superior ribbons at their discretion to a maximum number of exhibitors per class. Judges take into account the display and information provided during the interview in determining Superior ribbon awards. Exhibitors who do not follow the exhibit class guidelines and requirements are ineligible to receive a Superior ribbon. The judge's decision is final unless it has been determined that an exhibitor has not followed the guidelines or rules for that exhibit class.

13. Display space is limited. Table displays are limited to 2' wide x 15" deep unless otherwise stated in the class listings for that project. (Standard science display boards fit into this size limitation.)This pertains to exhibits to be placed on a table only; floor exhibits are not limited UNLESS INDICATED in a specific project section (i.e. Woodworking, Interior Design, and Visual Arts). The maximum poster size for hanging is 22" x 30", unless otherwise stated in the class listings for that project. Exhibits that stand over 4' tall will be placed on the floor. Use of page protectors is recommended for binder exhibits. Binder exhibits will NOT be labeled "Do Not Touch."

14. Limited equipment will be provided for certain exhibits. For Public Presentations, the following items will be available, if requested in advance: LCD projector, podium, projector screen, demonstration table, and extension cord. Exhibitors must furnish any additional equipment they feel is necessary to properly critique their exhibit (i.e. computer). Exhibitors should be aware that electrical outlets are not always located near judging locations and should take that into consideration when planning exhibits.

PREMIUMS

EXHIBITS, DISPLAYS, FASHION REVUE, AND PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS ENTRIES

Conference-judged exhibitors will receive a $6.00 premium and an Award of Excellence ribbon. Conference-judged exhibits must remain on display until 12:00 p.m. (if judged in the morning) or 4:00 p.m. (if judged in the afternoon) in order to receive the premium award. (Release times for Exposition Building exhibits are 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.) Action-oriented exhibitors will receive a $6.00 premium and an Award of Excellence. The top 5% of each action-oriented class will receive special recognition, but no additional premium. "Team" entries are allowed only in specified action-oriented classes. Size of a "team" is defined in those specified classes – ALL of which must meet the age requirement for 4-H state fair exhibitors. Each member of a team will receive a ribbon and premium check. Both premium-eligible members must be registered for the class via the 4-HDMS process. (NOTE: The Department of Agriculture shall use its best efforts to secure sufficient appropriations to fund premiums. In any year for which the General Assembly of the State of Illinois fails to make an appropriation sufficient to pay such premiums, premium amounts may not be accurately reflected in the Junior Department Premium Book.)

Junior Livestock Rules

The Junior Horse Show entries for the State Fair must be recieved by 4 p.m., June 5, 2009 in order to meet the state's entry deadline. All other Junior Livestock entries for the State Fair must be received by 4 p.m., June 29, 2009in order to meet the state's entry deadline. These must be submitted to the Extension Office, 509 Front ST, Suite 4-H, Henry, IL 61537.

4-Hers exhibiting barrows must be PQA certified.

Remember, all exhibitors at State Fair must have a Social Security number. Premise IDs are optional.

For more information on registration, ownership and your particular department, please check in the State Junior Department Premium Book online at http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/ or with the Extension staff.