The Herkimer County Fair generously invites all 4-H members to come show the public your 4-H story. Whether it is showing animals, displaying exhibits in the youth building, making a project with the public, or a cooking demonstration; all are part of highlighting 4-H. Now is the time to assist 4-H members in preparing for fair. An early start will help insure that the fair is a positive and fun experience for everyone.
Here are some dates to remember.
- Non-animal 4-H exhibits are judged on August 11, from 11am – 3 pm, in the Youth Building of the Herkimer County Fair. If you would like to help out on the day of judging, please contact the 4-H office.
- “4-H Project Talks” about my 4-H project in the youth building scheduled for 1 hour time slots between 10 am – 4 pm on August 15th (4-H Day) See more information below.
- All exhibits can go home on August 19 from 9 am – 11 am. Any exhibits not going to State Fair will need to be picked up at this time. Any exhibits not picked up will remain at the Herkimer County Fair.
If you have any exhibits going to State Fair, we’ll be glad to transport them directly from County Fair to State Fair. You must bring appropriate packaging for safely transporting your exhibit (i.e. newsprint or tissue paper to wrap fragile items, cardboard boxes to secure them from sliding around in the vehicle); as well as your completed State Fair Exhibit card and NYS 4-H Universal Information and Evaluation sheet.
4-H State Fair Exhibit Card and NYS 4-H Universal Information and Evaluation sheet
Any 4-H exhibits chosen for NYS Fair must have the State Fair Exhibit Card and include the NYS 4-H Universal Information and Evaluation sheet filled out and returned to 4-H staff by the end of Herkimer County Fair PRIOR to picking up your exhibits. They both need to be included on every NY State 4-H Youth Building exhibit that will be evaluated. Only exhibits with exhibit cards and information sheets, filled out completely and attached by August 21, by 11 am, can go on to the State Fair. The NYS 4-H Universal Information and Evaluation sheet is a fillable pdf form, found here: ?????; that can be filled out on a computer and printed, or printed as a blank form and filled out by hand. The State Fair Exhibit cards will be on card stock.
Here is a checklist of “to dos” to get you started.
- Go over the Herkimer County Fair book with your 4-H members. Make sure they have a copy. Read it together. Plan exhibits they will bring to the fair; and what preparation the exhibit will need.
- Assist members to fill out their entry blank and exhibit tags COMPLETELY, prior to the fair. It makes for a much smoother day; and less stress on everyone if you come with all your paperwork completed ahead of time.
- Explain the conference evaluation style of judging to members. Conference judging helps the member feel at ease and in a more receptive frame of mind. Conference evaluation is often easier for the judge. The member gains a greater benefit from the experience. Conference evaluation eliminates the question of why an item received a certain ribbon, therefore, making the evaluation of project work more educational.
- Explain the Danish System. Within the Danish System, each exhibit – be it a birdhouse or a flower – is compared to the ideal for the exhibit given the exhibitor’s experience & age. Exhibits are not placed in a ranking, rather each item is judged on its own merit. Participants receive either a blue ribbon (excellent), red ribbon (good) or a white ribbon (worthy). Green ribbons (participation) are distributed to exhibits that are display only. The emphasis is placed on the process of learning, not necessarily the end product.
REMEMBER, it’s a well-known fact (with historical basis, ask any old 4-H member) that those who take an active part in the fair have more FUN!!!
2024 Fair Theme: “Saddle-up and Go to the Herkimer County Fair”
Calling all 4-H Clubs and Independent members – We are challenging you to come up with a club or family exhibit for the youth building that best reflects the 2024 Herkimer County Fair Theme: “Saddle up and Go to the Herkimer County Fair”. Maybe a western theme, or horses? Let us show 4-H’s imagination and creativity. Photos, posters, sculpture, quilt… use your imagination. If you can incorporate 4-H into your exhibit, even better. Prizes will go to the most original and best interpretation of the theme.
“4-H Project Talks” Back again at the Herkimer County Fair
You have worked all year on your 4-H project to bring it to the Herkimer County fair. Now here it is at the fair with a ribbon on it. The 4-H office would like to encourage 4-H members to do a Public Presentation and/or Make ‘N Take activity, at the County Fair to teach the public what goes into the exhibit on display. If there is a project, your 4-H member is planning to enter as an exhibit at the Herkimer County fair, please consider demonstrating what you learned for the public on 4-H Day August 15, or pick whatever day and time works best for you. Plan to help highlight 4-H in the Youth Building by participating in interactive activities and demonstrations. Contact Wendy to reserve your time.
4-H T-shirt for Herkimer County Fair
We are having 4-H Day at the Herkimer County Fair on August 15. We want everyone to come wearing 4-H apparel and make 4-H seen all over the fairground.
We are offering the special shirts made for our 4-H members and volunteers again this year. If you need a new size, or never got one last year, you must order ahead. Shirts will be $6 each, either Adult or Youth sizes. The design is “Meet me at the Fair” Herkimer County Fair, NY State Fair with the 4-H clover in the center. Call the office with your shirt sizes and pre-pay for your shirts by July 15th. Family members want to get in on this promotion too? They can also order a 4-H fair shirt for the full price, $12. We just need their size and money by the July 15th deadline.
