Qualifying for Whidbey Island Fair
Here’s the “How To” on Qualifying for Fair
For a lot of members, Fair is the highlight of their summer! If well prepared, this can be a fun and rewarding experience. A fantastic time spent with friends and family, and an opportunity to showcase all of your hard work. If unprepared, Fair can be….. frustrating to say the least.
Check out below the Important Dates and Deadlines!
Dedication and diligence is as important as deadlines and dates!
The focus of this page is to inform everyone of the important dates and deadlines related to qualifying for fair. However, 4-H is more than that! Marking your calendar, and showing up on a date is great, but don’t forget about the time and effort needed to show growth in your project. Remember to plan ahead, educate yourself about your project, and do your best throughout the year. Don’t wait until the week before fair to practice your patterns, organize your display, or take the photographs your hoping to enter.
All Project Deadlines
There are some dates that are the same each year, and we can rely on them as regular deadlines.
Oct 1 – Enrollment Opens
May 30 – Enrollment Deadline in order to participate at fair.
Project Specific Deadlines
According to Washington State 4-H Policies and Procedures (pdf), Section 8.6
“Animals must be under the 4-H Youth Member’s regular care and management for the following periods of time prior to the official county exhibit activity, including junior livestock shows:
- Breeding Beef: 90 days
- Cats: 60 days
- Cavies: 45 days
- Dairy (except Dairy Heifer Replacement): 90 days
- Dairy Heifer Replacement: 60 days
- Dogs: 60 days
- Equine: 90 days
- Goat: 60 days
- Llama: 90 days
- Market Beef: 120 days
- Rabbits and Poultry: 45 days
- Sheep and Swine (Breeding and Market): 60 days
Animals raised by the 4-H Youth Member from birth or hatching are exempt from the minimum time periods.”
2023 Important Dates
Monday, June 12 – Online pre-entry begins. Go to www.whidbeyislandfair.com and click on the Online Entry/Premium Book tab. Please enter only those items you actually plan to bring to the Fair, as “no-show” entries cost the Fair money and reduce the amount of premium money available.
Friday, July 7 – Judge payment request forms due to the Fair Office as well as the 4-H Program Coordinator.
Thursday, July 13 – Entries for Dept 104 (Ed Displays), Record Books and Writing Entries due. Bring them to the Leader Council Meeting or the 4-H Office in Coupeville. Late entries may not be judged.
Friday, July 14 – Online entry for animals/fleece exhibits closes at 9 p.m. Animal classes must be pre-entered online before 9 p.m.
Campground request forms due to the Fair Office, along with ONE CHECK PER CLUB.
Sunday, July 23 – Deadline for online registration of all non-animal-related 4-H exhibits, contests and/or premium events in Departments 101-105, 7 p.m.
Monday, July 24th – NEW THIS YEAR! Entry for Dept 101 (Clothing & Needlework), Dept 102 (Art, photography) and Lego, Stem projects & Displays, Fleece/Fiber need to be received in the Coffman Building . Late entries may not be judged.
Wednesday, July 26 – 4-H food and Plant Science, club scrapbooks still life entry day in the Coffman Building no later than 12p. All judging begins promptly at noon. Club wristband/ticket packets available for pick-up in the Coffman Building.
Saturday, July 29 & Sunday, July 30 – Cash awards must be picked up in the Premium Office, noon to 5 p.m. 4-H parents may pick up money for their child only and only the club leader may pick up money for their entire club.
Wednesday, Aug. 2 – Cash awards may be picked up at the fairgrounds from noon to 5 p.m.
Whidbey Island Fair Requirements
- Small Animal Divisional Requirements (pdf)
- Market Animal Requirements for WIF (pdf)
- Horse Requirements for WIF (pdf)
- Goat Requirements for WIF (pdf)
- Dog Requirements for WIF (pdf)
- Poultry Requirements for WIF (coming soon)
- Shooting Sports Requirements for WIF (coming soon)
Washington State University Extension
Island County 4-H
406 North Main Street, Coupeville, Washington, 98239.
360-639-6064 | island.4h@wsu.edu