If you are enrolled in a 4-H project that gets judged in the Exhibit Building, you've got a neat experience ahead! You will have the opportunity to participate in "conference judging." This unique type of judging gives you the chance to talk with the judge so he/she can find out what you've learned! The judge considers what you've told him/her when assigning your rating ribbon and choosing champions! Here are some things to remember as you prepare:

Ø Your exhibit offers a display of what you are capable of doing.

Ø The judges will be looking for positive learning. Tell them about your exhibit and other things you have done and learned in your project this year.

Ø The judge will be evaluating your exhibit and what you've learned – not YOU as a person. Your project will be evaluated against the blue ribbon standard. You won't be competing with others for your blue, red, or white rating ribbon. Competition is only involved when the champion, reserve champion, and state fair winners are selected. Your first biggest competitor is YOU!

Ø Read the rules and guidelines in your fair book. Be certain you've followed the established rules for the class you've entered.

Questions the judge may ask you…

Ø Did you enjoy working on this project? Why?

Ø What was the easiest (or hardest) thing you did?

Ø Why did you choose this exhibit?

Ø Who assisted you with this project?

Ø Tell me about the kinds of materials you used.

Ø How did you do the exhibit?

Ø What part of the exhibit do you feel you could improve? Why?

If you prepare a neat and creative exhibit, you're ready to tell the judges lots, and you've followed the rules in your fair book, you have nothing to worry about. Conference judging will be a fun learning experience for you!

Cloverbud judging will be done conference-style as it is with the older members. However, unlike judging in other areas, Cloverbuds will not be competing with each other. Everyone will receive the same fabulous participation rosette! So, judging is more like a show-and-tell opportunity to prepare for the judging procedures that happen down the road.

Cloverbud judging will be on Saturday, August 1^st from 9 - 11 a.m. A special Cloverbud Party will be held from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. that day. Refer to the Cloverbud Party flier in this newsletter for details. We'd like to see lots of Cloverbud families at the party.

If you are exhibiting vegetables and need information on how to prepare them for the show, please contact the Extension office or visit the website at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/ogle/.

The 4-H Federation is once again hosting a Children's Farm during fair week. Many wonderful sponsors are helping support the cost of the Children's Farm, so make sure to give the sponsors a big thank you! If you have animals you would like to share with others, please contact the Children's Farm Supervisor Mary Beth Overmyer at 815-234-2360 or email her at: moes1182@hotmail.com. Kittens, in particular, are needed! Animals must follow exhibition health requirements as printed in the 4-H fair book. Animals will be placed on a first call, first reserve basis.

Children's Farm animals should be checked in between 5 p.m. on July 28 (Tues.) and 3 p.m. on July 29 (Wed.). They must be checked out from 9-9:15 p.m. on August 1 (Sat.).

The Exhibit Building Committee is looking for stage entertainment for this year's fair. This is a fun opportunity for 4-Hers to perform a favorite song, dance, or skit, or to present a talk or demonstration that was done for the local club. The Exhibit Building committee will set the stage, provide a piano, and coordinate amplification needs with each group. The time commitment is totally up to each performer; you can do a 3 minute talk or go as long as 30 minutes. The fairgoers enjoy watching the performances and it does draw people into the building! Please call coordinator Sue Gallant at 815-938-2418 if you are interested in showing off your talents at the fair! We would love to see you on stage!

If you win a bond at the Ogle County 4-H Fair this year, you will need to contact the Extension Office with your social security number. Then, you will just need to be patient. We will pull together the list after the fair, and have the bonds ordered. Just be aware it does take a little time. If you think you should be receiving a bond and have not received it by the end of October, call the Extension office and we will check on it for you.

Animal exhibitors are required to wear special "show numbers" while exhibiting their animals. Show numbers will be distributed at the rate of one per exhibitor. Exhibitors will need to keep their numbers for any and all of the animal shows they are registered for. At the end of the fair, these numbers can be discarded. They will not be reused.

Show numbers may be picked up at the Exhibit Building Information Table on Monday during General Projects Check-In or during regular Exhibit Building hours starting Wednesday afternoon. Exhibitors for poultry, swine, and rabbits will receive their numbers at their respective shows. Animal exhibitors who are participating ONLY in the Cat Show do not need show numbers at all.

Please read the fairbook animal livestock rules and swine rules carefully, as several changes have been made for swine this year.

A Premise ID number will only be required to show at the Ogle County Fair this year for hogs that are being sent to locations requiring them. Eickman's currently does not require a premise ID, but IBP does require one. If you send your hogs to another location, you must contact them to find out if you are required to have a Premise ID number.

4-Hers are responsible for arranging the market destination for their animal prior to the sale. Contact your superintendents if you have questions about where to market your animal.

A Livestock Premises Identification number will be required for all Junior Department Barrow entries to the Illinois State Fair. This is being required by the packing house(s) that process the barrows from the State Fair; since the show is terminal, the Premises ID number will be required.

Premises registration is free and can be performed online at www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid or by calling 1-866-299-9256 for a paper form. If you have any questions, please contact the office. Premises ID is voluntary for all other species in '09.

If you have helped at one of the fairgrounds workdays, the passes you earned will be available at the Ogle County Fair Office. You will be required to stop by and sign for them. Do not rely on your leader to pick these up unless you have made arrangements with them.

The fair is like many other events we participate in… we spend a lot of time preparing for it, and participating in it. Then, we are ready to relax when it's over. Unfortunately, there is a need to do some serious clean-up afterwards.

Adults and older 4-H members (junior high and high school age) are encouraged to help with fair clean-up at the fairgrounds on August 3. Tasks to be accomplished that day will include: cleaning out the barns, sweeping the exhibit building, taking down stalls, cleaning under the grandstands, cleaning the shelter, washing picnic tables, collecting and washing garbage barrels. For clean—up day, you can just show up. No pre-registration is necessary. This is not a suitable service opportunity for young children. There will be a lot of moving machinery and traffic making the environment somewhat dangerous.

Join the fun again this year at the Bessie Bingo Contest on Saturday, August 1, 6 p.m. in the Beef Show Arena at the Ogle County Fair!

What is Bessie Bingo? The beef arena will be divided into 100 squares of "property" that can be purchased at a cost of $5 each. At game time, the arena will be enclosed and a couple of calves, cows, or steers will be allowed to roam the properties. Whoever owns the "property" that is first christened with cow poo will be the lucky winner of the round.

What can you win? Three rounds will be played. The winner of each round will win a: Hot Summer Cook-Out Combo! This includes 6-12-ounce steaks, 12 butterfly pork chops, 10 pounds of fresh brats, steak sauce, and pork chop seasoning! Retail value of $100.

Bessie Bingo is being played to raise funds to help offset the costs of the 4-H Fair. Tickets will be available from 4-H club members prior to the fair. They will also be on sale at the Extension tent during fair week. You don't have to be present to win, but for those who attend the actual contest… there will be delicious door prizes and auction items to help you boost your odds of winning!