1. New Family Fair Orientation
Presented by:
Deanna Roby & Doris Braddock
University of Illinois Extension, Kane Co.
4-H Youth Development Staff

2. Welcome! Thanks for visiting this site.
We hope to give you enough information to get through the fair without feeling frustrated and lost.
Please feel free to ask questions. Just give us a call.

3. Please Read!
Fair Orientation Handbook (this will be mailed to you in May)
Summer 4-H Newsletter
Fairbook
Any mailings sent to your child

4. Purpose of 4-H Shows @ Fair
Members have selected projects.
Work done in project helps prepare youth for the fair exhibit, not always the actual exhibit.
Fair is an opportunity for 4-H’ers to showcase the skills and knowledge they have gained.
4-H’ers are not required to exhibit at the fair.

5. What can be exhibited at the fair?
At your May 4-H club meeting, you should be receiving a Fair Registration Form H’ers will register for what they are exhibiting at the fair on this form.
It is linked to project enrollments. Youth must be enrolled in a project area to register for an exhibit in that same area.
Fair Registration Forms for the Dog Show are due June 1; all others are due June 8.

6. When is the fair?
For the public, the fair is open Wednesday, July 18 through Sunday, July 22.
For 4-H members, the majority of project check-in and judging is July 17.
Livestock/animal project members check-in on July 18. Judging occurs throughout the week.
Some things happen before this week.
See tentative schedule.

7. Who organizes the fair? Two separate organizations.
University of Illinois Extension organizes anything related to 4-H.
The Kane County Fair Association organizes everything else (open shows, rides, attractions, entertainment, food vendors, commercial exhibits, fair hours, admission/parking costs, etc.).

8. Where are the fairgrounds?
The grounds are located in St. Charles on Randall Road between Routes 64 and 38.
See fairgrounds map (
Parking is available in the grassy area in front of grounds. It is accessible from the Extension Office parking lot.
Once the fair opens to the public, you will need an admission pass to utilize the pedestrian entrance gate in the parking near the Extension Office.

9. What is the fairbook?
It is the communication tool that we use to describe all of the exhibit requirements for 4-H projects youth may exhibit.
It is available online at

10. Where do the exhibit requirements come from?
Most of the 4-H exhibit requirements are determined by the exhibit requirements for the 4-H portion of the Illinois State Fair.
4-H fair superintendents and the 4-H Fair Committee review exhibit requirements each year and make suggestions for changes.

11. Project Check-in
All general and home economic projects are checked in on Wednesday, July 17, in the H/Industrial Building between 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. (If you have numerous exhibits, try to check in early in the day!)
All live animals (except dogs, cats & small pets) are brought to the fairgrounds on July 18. Times vary – refer to fairbook.

12. What happens during project check-in?
For general & home economics projects, the main check-in tables are in the NE corner of the building. Pick up exhibit tags here – proceed to the south end of building, the parent’s gallery.
In the parent’s gallery, youth can attach exhibit tags to their projects. Bring supplies needed.
Parent’s may not go beyond this area.

13. How does the project get judged?
The building is divided into categories. Refer to map on the website.
With exhibit tags attached, youth proceed to the appropriate area(s) to check in project(s) with a superintendent. We will have helpers for this process if needed.
They might immediately see a judge for a conference or they may have to wait.

14. What is conference judging?
This type of judging brings 4-H members and judges together to evaluate project exhibits.
It allows 4-H’ers to learn how to improve knowledge and skills.
4-H’ers can share their project experiences.
It is great preparation for the future!

15. How long does judging take?
Judges are encouraged to spend 5-7 minutes with each child. Some take longer and others don’t.
Judging is scheduled to run from 2-6 p.m.
Timing for judging really depends on the number of exhibits. Allow extra time for busy judges and areas.
Please be patient and plan to spend the afternoon at the fairgrounds.

16. What do all the ribbons mean?
The judging process has two phases.
The first phase is non-competitive. Everyone is given a blue, red or white ribbon based on their own merit.
The second phase is competitive. Projects are judged against each other.
Refer to ribbon posters which are hung in the building.

17. How does the IL State Fair (ISF) figure into this?
At the ISF, the State 4-H office organizes a junior show for 4-H members from across the state.
4-H’ers must be age 8 as of 9/1/17 to be eligible.
In general & home economics projects, county fair exhibits are selected to represent county at the ISF.
In livestock, any member can participate.

18. How will you know if a project is selected for the ISF?
Projects from our fair selected for the ISF, will have a state fair delegate or alternate ribbon on them.
4-H’ers can send one non-livestock exhibit to the ISF if selected.
State Fair Delegates & Alternates are asked to mark choices on the state fair board in the 4-H/Industrial Building.
There are also registration papers and an orientation packet for delegates.

19. When is project check-out at the county fair?
All projects can go home beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21.
We ask that projects be picked up by 7:00 p.m. that evening.
4-H’ers who take projects earlier than the scheduled release time may forfeit their right to exhibit in future 4-H shows.

20. Are we charged admission to the fair?
4-H members exhibiting in the fair will receive a season pass at no charge.
Adult volunteers who serve as a superintendent also receive a season pass.
Some volunteers are given one day passes.
All others are asked to pay the admission fee.
Season passes do not include rides, attractions, food, entertainment, etc.

21. What are 4-H premiums?
4-H premiums are a monetary incentive for 4-H exhibits at the fair.
Premium checks are distributed only after the funds are received from the state.
The process to determine premiums is called the x-factor. See your Fair Orientation Handbook for more details.

22. Questions, Suggestions & Comments
Fair related questions can be addressed to your 4-H leader, junior leaders, other 4-H families, or the Extension Office staff.
We are always open to your thoughts and ideas about the fair. It is best if they are in writing.

23. Thank You!
We hope that you find the information in this presentation helpful.
As always, please don’t hesitate to ask question if you need more information.
See you at the fair!