State Fair Dates

July 22-27 4-H State Fair Horse Show

August 11 Fashion Revue

August 11 McHenry County Conference Judging

August 16 Bicycle Rodeo

August 24 4-H State Dog Show

McHenry County Fair Dates

July 12 Dog Fun Match

July 16 Clothing Judging

July 19 Dog Show

July 20 Cat Show

July 28 A.M. General Project Judging

July 28 P.M. Visual Arts, Interior Design,

July 29 Foods, Crops, Horticulture, Floriculture

July 30-Aug 3 Fair

State Fair Job Opportunities

The Illinois State Fair has various short-term job opportunities available in the Junior Department. Many of the positions involve working with 4-H exhibits. Applications are available at the Extension Office.

FAIR SET-UP

Purpose: To clean buildings, set up pens, gates, tables, chairs, wash tables and pick up around grounds.

Barn Supplies: Rakes, Shovels, Pitch Forks, and Gloves

4-H Building Supplies: Rags, Soap and Buckets

Wednesday, July 23—5:00 pm

Community Builders

Thursday, July 24—9:00 am

Community Clover Leaves (Sheep Barn)

Milky Way (Sheep Barn)

Huntley Harvestors (Swine Barn)

Dunn Independent (Swine Barn)

Clover Rockets (Beef Barn)

Cross County Farmers (Dairy Barn)

Thursday, July 24

Clover Rockets Equest.. (Horse Arena)

Hebron Helping Hands (Livestock set up)

(one adult needed to oversee set up)

Country Clovers (4-H Building set up)

Crystal Clovers (4-H Building set up)

Woodstock Wannabes (4-H Building set up)

4-H for Fun (Tent & Booth set up)

Milk Center (Tent & Booth set up)

Monday, July 28 - a.m.

4-H Falcons (Move Projects & Display)

Busy Three (Move Projects & Display)

Monday, July 28 - p.m.

Trail Blazers (Move Projects & Display)

Calico Clovers (Move Projects & Display)

Wednesday, July 30 - p.m.

Mano a Mano (Cloverbud Judging)

(one adult needed to oversee judging)

FAIR TAKE DOWN

Sunday, August 3

Dunham B Sharps (Sheep Barn)

Harvard Prairie Toppers (Swine Barn)

Huntley Pioneers (Beef Barn)

New Wave (Dairy Barn)

Community Clovers & Gophers (Goat Barn)

Hobby Horse (4-H Building)

Green United Clever Clovers (4-H Building)

Milk Center (Food Booth)

Show your Support and Attend 4-H Night at the McHenry County Fair!

4-H Night is scheduled for Thursday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hanson Pavilion on the McHenry County Fairgrounds. During this special event, 4-H youth will be honored for their fair accomplishments. Please join us in recognizing our 4-Hers.

CONFERENCE JUDGING

What is Conference Judging?

Conference judging is a one-on-one discussion between a 4-H member and the adult who is evaluating the exhibit prepared by the member.

Why is Conference Judging a part of the 4-H program?

Conference judging is one way for 4-H members to have the opportunity to talk with an adult about their exhibits and to learn how well those exhibits have met the standards set for that area. Conference Judging can help teach members communication skills as they learn to organize their thoughts, converse with the judge, and accept constructive criticism.

Conference judging is used in the Standards of Excellence section of the Illinois 4-H Recognition for Excellence program to evaluate a member's work.

What is awarded for Conference Judging?

Recognition should be based on how well an exhibit meets the set standards for the project area. A Blue Award is presented to exhibits that meet the standards. A Red Award is presented to exhibits that need some improvement. A White Award is presented to exhibits that need much improvement. At the State Fair, all Exhibitors receive an Award of Excellence rosette.

Who receives recognition for Conference Judging?

Since the conference judging process is not competitive, all 4-H members who participate in the process should be recognized.

Fair Passes

4-H youth wristbands will be available in July for 4-H youth ages 8-19. Wristbands will be grouped by club and will be sold this way. Clubs will send one representative to our office to purchase wristbands for all members of the club. Full payment for the wristbands is expected at this time. The club decides how the club will receive money from each family if the club does not pay for the whole group's wristbands. If a family is not at the club meeting when the leader passes out the wristbands, it is the family's responsibility to make arrangements with the leader for pick up at a later date.

Cloverbud members are free to get into the fair. Remember, we go by the child's age as of September 1, 2007.

Parents and leaders may purchase a season ticket before the fair at the McHenry County Fairgrounds in Building D during their office hours.

Club Banners

4-H club banners add a lot of color and club spirit to the 4-H Building during the fair. We ask that club banners be covered with plastic and include a pole for hanging from the rafters. Please bring banners to the 4-H Building on Monday, July 28.

Fair Dress Code for Livestock Showing

Please be sure to read your fair book for 2008. Each department has a dress code for showing animals during the fair. Many of the departments are following the auction dress code which states youth must wear a collar and a sleeved top, long pants, and proper footwear.

STATE FAIR EXHIBIT CHANGES

The Illinois State Fair in the 4-H "general exhibit" will be condensed this year from 10 days to 7 days.

Sunday, August 10 - Performance Showcase

Monday, August 11 - McHenry County Day at State Fair, All public presentation, Fashion Revue, Club presentations, General projects, Home Economics

Saturday, August 16 - Bicycle Rodeo

Exhibitors and projects will still need to check-in for judging schedules at designated times. Once judging is completed and superiors chosen, the exhibits will be released. No projects will be held on display until 4 p.m.

Security will not be provided once judging for a particular area has been completed. Judges will not fill out a score sheet on each project unless it is requested from the youth prior to judging. These last minute changes came due to cost-saving efforts. The Extension new year begins on July 1 and at this time no ones knows if the state 2009 budget will be completed on time. It is wiser to be on the safe side to ensure the youth a positive learning experience. Thank you, for your understanding that the state is working hard to bring back conference judging and still keep the day a positive event for the youth and family.