Preparing for 4-H/Show Exhibits

4-H Fairs and shows are often the highlight of the 4-H year. They allow 4-H members to display projects and to participate in educational experiences critiqued by an adult expert. They provide a showcase for recognition of youth and allow an avenue for youth to practice the life skills of teamwork, cooperation, communications, sportsmanship, club pride and unity.

Youth Responsibilities:

4-H members do need to establish a timeline to work on their 4-H projects. They should set realistic goals for what they want to accomplish and set realistic completion dates. Be sure to read rules and regulations outlined in the 4-H Fair book http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mchenry/4hfairbook/index.html. Pay close attention to deadlines and specific requirements for each project. It may be helpful to print a copy of your selection from the fair book and highlight areas you need to remember. 4-H members need to do their own project work and complete it in the current year.

Parent Responsibilities:

Parents are encouraged to help 4-H members obtain the materials and resources needed to complete 4-H projects. Adults may answer questions, demonstrate skills and offer guidance on project work, but SHOULD NOT DO THE WORK. Parents should be familiar with the exhibit guidelines and judging schedules and provide encouragement to the young people as they prepare for conference judging.

4-H exhibits at the fair are designed to showcase the work of young people to others in the community. It provides young people with the opportunities to demonstrate skills and knowledge as well as to gain ideas for improvement. 4-H members are encourageed to try something more challenging each year and to practice good sportsmanship. Exhibiting is designed to be an enjoyable educational experience, not just a contest. Enjoy the fair experience!

Fair Judging Check In

Youth may pick up their 4-H entry tags at the east door of the 4-H building. Members will need to state the club name and their name in order to receive the entry tags for projects scheduled in that time period. Youth will then move to the location of their judging.

Animal Science will be found in the goat tent behind the 4-H building. Community Involvement and Global Awareness along with Personal Development will be judged in the 4-H Food Stand Tent. All other projects will be judged in the 4-H building on Monday morning.

Youth will attach their entry tags and will go behind the tables to go to the station area they will be judged in. On the walls will be large signs stating what line to stand in. Also on the table at the entrance for standing in line will be a 4-H sign with the project areas. Youth will not sign in as they will go directly to the area of judging and stand in line. If they have more than one project being judged by that judge they can have all projects judged at that time. There will be tables that the youth may put their projects on while waiting in line.

Monday afternoon entry tags will be handled the same as above and judging locations are 4-H Building and Food Stant Tent.

Tuesday morning entry tags will be handled the same as above and judging locations are: Cooking 101, 4-H goat tent; Cake Decorating, Crops, and Horticulture Events will be held in the 4-H building and all other food projects will be judged in the 4-H Food Stand Tent.

Project Release Time

4-H projects will stay on display until Sunday, August 9 from 5 to 7 pm at which time youth may remove their fair projects. *NO EXCEPTIONS*

Saturday, July 11
9:00 am -- Dog Fun Match

Saturday, July 18
9:00 am -- Dog Show

Sunday, July 19
2:00 pm -- Cat Show

Wednesday, July 22
8:30 am -- Clothing Judging

Monday, August 3
9:00 am -- General Project Judging

Monday, August 3
1:30 pm -- Visual Arts, Child Care and Home Furnishings

Tuesday, August 4
9:00am - Foods, Crops, Floriculture, and Horticulture
10:00am-7:00 pm - Check In for Swine
10:00 am-8:00 pm - Check in for Poultry
1:00-7:00 pm - Check in for Sheep
4:00-7:30 pm - Check in for Beef
4:00-8:00 pm - Check in for Rabbits
1:00-8:00 pm - All other animals

Wednesday, August 5
9:00 am - Pygmy Goat Show, Poultry and Waterfowl Show, Rabbit Show
9:30 am - Dairy Show
10:00 am - Sheep Show
6:00 pm - Small Pet Show
6:30 pm - Cloverbud Show

Thursday, August 6
8:00 am - Beef and Swine Show
7:30 pm - 4-H Night Ceremonies

Friday, August 7
8:30 am - Horse Show

Saturday, August 8
9:30 am - Livestock Auction Sellers Meeting
12:00 pm - Livestock Auction

Sunday, August 9
4:00 pm - Release of Dairy and Swine
5:00 pm - Release Time for Auction Beef Cattle & Sheep 4-H Building
6:00 pm - Release Time for All Other Livestock

Animal News

Poultry Pullorum Testing

All birds hatched before January 1, 2009, must be Pullorum Tested (except waterfowl, meat birds, i.e. domesticated fowl that normally swim, such as geese) in a show or exhibition, and have originated from a U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid clean or equivalent hatchery or flock; or have a negative Pullonum-Typhoid test within 90 days prior to exhibition. (No testing at the fair). Testing will be done at the McHenry County Fairgrounds; Rabbit Barn on Saturday, July 25 from 9-11 am.

"NOTE" there will be no testing on the fairgrounds at time of poultry check in. If you do not have them tested before arrival you will be asked to take the bird's home.

Members planning to exhibit rabbits during the McHenry County Fair will need to have the rabbit's ear tattooed prior to arriving at the fair. Permanent tattoos must be in the rabbit's left ear, abiding by the American Rabbit Breeders Association rules. Rabbit tattooing will take place on Saturday, July 25 from 8-10 am at the McHenry County Fairgrounds in the rabbit barn.

Horse Weeknight Warm-Ups

Weeknight sessions in the horse arena at the McHenry County Fairgrounds are offered to help riders and their horse become acquainted with the county fair horse show site. 4-H'ers intending to show in novice classes at the fair are required to attend one weeknight warm-up session in July with their green sheeted horse. These novice riders must check in with a committee member upon arrival that evening to receive credit for attendance. Weeknight warm-ups DO NOT count as approved clinics. Weeknight warm-ups will be held from 6:30 pm. to 8:30 pm. July 7, 14, and 21. Gates open at 6 pm. Be ready to ride at 6:20 pm. Horses must be ready to ride by 6:30 pm. Horse must be loaded by 8:30 pm and ready to leave. Cancellations due to weather may occur. For information, contact Jennifer Rosenthal at (815)338-2211.

Guest Speakers for weeknight warm-ups include:
July 7 : Lisa Kucharski, Emily Northup Showmanship
July 14: Driving demonstration
July 21: Suzanne Langan, patterns

The 4-H Fair Awards Program is scheduled for Thursday, August 6 at 7:30 pm in the Hanson Pavilion. 4-H members who will be recognized at this program will have a colored paper attached to their exhibit along with a plaque sticker found on their entry tags. Livestock youth will receive their paper at the end of judging.

Please join us to recognize those 4-H'ers for their accomplishments of their project work.

The McHenry County 4-H Foundation and Henry Marlowe have established this award in memory of Henry Marlowe, an outstanding former 4-H leader of Huntley. The award is based on leadership, scholarship, physical fitness, and character.

Requirements:

• Be a current 4-H member
• Be 15 years of age as of September 1, 2008 or older
• Complete and turn in the application by August 25, 2009
• May receive award only once.
• Application found on the McHenry County web site

The Greenwood Gremlins 4-H Club established this award in memory of Sally Harrison, an outstanding 4-H member who was active in her club and on a county level. This award was set up in memory of her enthusiasm though her years were cut short. This award focuses on qualities that made Sally's 4-H years so special-community service, enthusiasm for 4-H and cooperation.

Requirements:

• Be a current 4-H member
• Be 16 years of age by September 1, 2008 or older
• Complete application and return to Extension Office by August 25, 2009

This award offers $250 cash and plaque. Application found on the McHenry County website http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mchenry.

The fourth cell of Recognition for Excellence is the area of competition. Members must apply for this area by filling out an Illinois Award Application form stating their project growth, knowledge and skills, participation and leadership. Award forms may be obtained on the web site or through the Extension Office.

Awards of work:

Achievement - includes all 4-H project work, leadership, and community service during the member's 4-H career.

Animal Science includes beef, cat, dairy, dog, goat, horse & pony, poultry, rabbit, sheep, small pets, swine and veterinary Science and any related county projects.

Community Involvement & Global Awareness - includes citizenship, intercultural, Service learning, and any related county projects.

Dairy - includes dairy cattle, dairy food, Dairy Goats, and any related county projects.

Engineering & Technology - aerospace, bicycle, computer science, electricity, geospatial, robotics, safety, small engines, tractor, welding, woodworking and any related county projects.

Environment & Natural Resources - camping, entomology, forestry, geology, natural resources, sportsfishing, wildlife, and any related county projects.

Food, Nutrition & Health -includes all foods & nutrition, health

Home & Family - includes child development, consumer education, entrepreneurship, intergenerational, interior design, sewing & textiles.

Personal Development - includes communication. Leadership, photography, theatre arts, visual arts.

Plants & Soils - includes crops, floriculture, horticulture, plant & soil science.

Youth's Responsibility

4-H member's should turn in their Project Planning Sheets completed to their club leader at the assigned date from the club leader. Also, at that time if youth are applying for the Illinois Awards, "Henry Marlowe I Dare You Award or Sally Harrison," these awards are also due.

Secretaries and Treasurers must have their books completed and turned into the club leader at the club's assigned date.

Project Planning Sheets, Illinois Awards Application along with the Henry Marlowe and Sally Harrison may be found on line at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mchenry.

Leader's Responsibility

All 4-H youth must submit their project planning sheets and any other applications to the club leader to be turned in as a whole club on Tuesday, August, 25 by 4:30 pm.

Items to be turned into the Extension Office by this date include:
Participation Award
Progress towards Goals
Progress towards Standards
Illinois Award Application
Club Recognition for Progress
Club Secretary Book
Club Treasurer Book and Statements
Sally Harrison Applications
I Dare You Applications

Shirley Walters has organized group activities each night in the Hanson Pavillion for all 4-H'ers. The Ag Olympics will be offered on:

Wednesday Evening: 7:30pm
Thursday Evening: after 4-H Night
Friday Evening: After Talent Show
Saturday Evening: 7:30pm
(Youth may assist with removal of chairs onThursday and Friday to start the event sooner.) A list of events will be posted on the white board outside the beef barn.

As stated a year ago, the state has now enforced a $25 per child fee due starting 2009/10 year when enrollments are due. Details on the family caps, grant and other information will be finalized for the August/September newsletter.

With cost recovery becoming very important throughout the state many of the events or activities we hold will now have a cost with registration in the new year. Further details will be coming soon.

Illinois 4-H State Office is working to bring 4-H Shooting Sports into the Illinois 4-H Clover. All details are not finalized except that we know counties without trained volunteers may not carry the project.

Needed are adults 21 years of age who would be willing to travel for a Friday-thru Sunday training twice a year which he/she will be trained by a Nationally Trained Illinois Certified Instructor. The three areas they will offer are Archery, Shotgun, Rifle. The volunteer leader may be trained in one area or all three. Each of the areas has its own training. One area of training will not cover the other two. This project will not be allowed at this time to be enrolled into the club the youth are enrolled in now. This will be a special interest group with volunteers trained by the state, complete the volunteer application process, Cants form, IPS and approved by the County Extension staff.

There will be a job description for Discipline Instructors to guide them along with the training.

Any volunteers interested in these projects please contact Katie or Cindy at the Extension Office at 815-338-3737.

A black bantam rooster, one year old is looking for a new home. If interested please contact Ellen Foster at 815-206-6166.