The 2007 Illinois State Fair is set for August 10-19. State Fair Junior Department Exhibition is open to "...any boy or girl who is enrolled as a 4-H member and was at least 10 years old as of September 1, 2006."

Each year Ogle County has the opportunity to select 4-Hers to represent the county program in the Junior Department exhibit building competition at the Illinois State Fair. 4-Hers selected for this honor will receive bright green rosettes during judging at the local 4-H Fair. Alternates receive hot pink rosettes.

MOST exhibits chosen to move onto state competition from the county 4-H exhibit building competition will be transported to and from state by exhibit building committee members or Extension staff members. These projects, along with a State Fair Exhibit Report Form will need to be left in the exhibit building at the conclusion of the fair. They will remain on display for the duration of the state fair. At the conclusion of the fair, the Extension staff or exhibit building committee members will bring the exhibits back. Members will then be able to pick up their exhibits from the Extension Office.

"Action-orientated" exhibits will require 4-H members to attend the State Fair on August 12th. Action-orientated exhibits include public presentations, food demonstration, fashion revue, bicycle rodeo, food skill-a-thons, and any club/group projects. A few projects have also been specifically designated for conference judging on August 12^th. They are: clothing decisions, crops, leadership, photography, sportsfishing, fiber, and paper.

More details will be available at the State Fair Orientation held on Thursday, Aug. 2^nd, at 7 p.m. in the exhibit building at our county fairgrounds.

Tickets for Illinois State Fair grandstand shows are now on sale. They may be purchased through Ticketmaster (800-827-8927) or online through the State Fair website at:

www.agr.state.il.us/isf/index.php. All sales are final. Ticket prices vary by show.

Aug. 10 Gretchen Wilson with Blaine Larsen

Aug. 11 Corbin Bleu/Drake Bell with Jordan Pruitt

Aug. 12 Daughtry

Aug. 13 Illinois Symphony (free)

Aug. 17 Martina McBride with Carolyn Dawn Johnson

Aug. 18 Joe Walsh

Aug. 19 Sugarland with Joe Nichols

The State Fair Junior Department Advisory Committee is looking for 4-H volunteers. Applicants must be 4-H members, 4-H volunteers, or parents. Youth must be a minimum of 15 years of age as of September 1, 2007. Completed applications are due by August 27^th. For more information or a copy of the application, please call the Extension Office.