4-H at the Fair
Agricultural fairs are the main place where 4-H’ers get to showcase what they have learned all year. 4-H events occur at county and state fairs in every state. This American partnership is why in 4-H we say, “If there’s a fair, 4-H is there”. In Clallam County, 4-H has participated in the Clallam County Fair since the 1920s.
In Clallam County 4-H youth most often participate in:
- The Clallam County Fair
- The Washington State 4-H Fair
- The Jefferson County Fair
- Kitsap Fair and Stampede
- and several others around WA, OR, and even ID
4-H Members completing all requirements will earn a Fair Exhibitor pass, purchased by our county 4-H Council. Each 4-H’er who earns a fair pass gets to purchase one parent pass at the cost of a Clallam County Fair volunteer rate.
4-H members have to meet the following requirements to compete in the Clallam County Fair:
- Be an enrolled member in a community club by May 1st of the 4-H year.
- Be enrolled in and participate in at least one 4-H project.
- Deadline for enrolling/dropping projects is May 1st.
- Attend at least 2/3rds of general club meetings unless excused by the Club leader.
- Complete at least one club level public presentation (demonstration).
- Turn in an up to date Clallam County 4-H Record Book to their club leader before July 15, individual clubs have earlier dates.
- Record Books are optional for Cloverbud members (age 5-7).
- Record books must be signed by either the general club leader or the project leader. The project leader is the main volunteer who leads the majority of the educational component for that project.
- Club leader brings any books to be judged to the extension office by July 15. Books that are not being judged will be reported to record book committee by main club leader.
- Complete any additional club requirements (for example: participate in Community Service)
- Meet any project specific requirements and entry requirements for each barn at the Clallam County Fair. Talk to your club/project leader and watch for the annual Clallam County Fair Exhibitor’s Guide for specific barn requirements. To be judged as a fair exhibit, Educational Posters to be turned in before July 15th to your club leader.
- Educational Requirements for Fair and Year End Completion (PDF) (Clallam County)
- Record Book Procedure for Club Leaders.
- Fair Club List (PDF)– Due August 1st
4-H and FFA youth who would like to auction an animal at the Clallam County Fair need to work with the Pacific Northwest Junior Livestock Auction (PNWJLA).
Why auction?
Youth livestock auctions are part of how 4-H helps youth become Beyond Ready.
Youth who auction are learning valuable lessons in:
- Our food system
- What it takes to raise a food animal
- What makes an animal market ready
- Humane treatment of livestock
- Quality Assurance
- Traceability regulations
- Responsibility
- Financial management
- and so much more
Cover image credit: Jesse Major
Quick Links
Fair Timeline
| Date/Season | Event Description |
|---|---|
| Feb TBD | PNWJLA Parent meetings |
| March TBD | PNWJLA Cattle Pre Weigh in, cattle registration due date, and Quality Assurance Due |
| Spring | Youth work on projects, Educational posters and displays |
| May 1 | Deadline to be registered in 4-H online and for adding/dropping projects to participate in fair. |
| May TBD | PNWJLA Turkey born by dates, rabbit possession dates Hog, goat, sheep pre-weigh in and registration due date |
| June TBD | Neon Riders Horse Show |
| June TBD | PNWJLA Chicken born by and possession dates |
| June or July | Superintendents meeting at 5pm at Fair Kitchen Exact Date set by Fair |
| July 1 | Fair animal entries and camping forms due to Clallam County Fair |
| July 1 | PNWJLA poultry and rabbit auction registration forms due |
| July TBD by your club | Club due date for Record books |
| July 15 | Posters/Educational Displays due – drop off at extension office between 10:00AM – 4:00PM Club Leader’s Fair Club List due to office |
| July TBD | Horse Pre-Fair |
| Weekend Before Fair | Still Life entry turn in dates check exhibitor’s guide |
| Tuesday Before Fair | Livestock and auction animals vet check. Check exhibitor’s guide for times |
| Wednesday Before Fair | Horse Vet check and horse load in. Non auction poultry and rabbit vet check, Check exhibitor’s guide for times |
| Thursday 1st day of fair | Cats and dogs load in and vet check |
| 3rd weekend of August Thursday – Sunday | Clallam County Fair |
| Sunday of fair | State Fair entries due in Fair Entry Animals released 7 pm or when barns/stables are clean and you are dismissed by Superintendents. 4-H building pick up After 7pm or Monday Auction animals leave a 5pm |
Fair FAQs
- Why are there so many different forms?
- 4-H, the Fair, and the PNWJLA are all different organizations. They have a lot of overlap, but they are all different groups. You need to let 4-H, the fair, and, if you are auctioning, the PNWJLA all know you are coming. You do this by:
- Be signed up for 4-H and meet all 4-H fair requirements.
- Complete your animal registration and all necessary requirements on the PNWJLA’s website
- Fill out Fair entry forms and Camping forms which are found on the fair’s website
- 4-H, the Fair, and the PNWJLA are all different organizations. They have a lot of overlap, but they are all different groups. You need to let 4-H, the fair, and, if you are auctioning, the PNWJLA all know you are coming. You do this by:
- Why does the Clallam County Fair require entry forms on a specific color paper?
- The fair is on an all paper points system, and a few people work in the office to input all of the points data into a spreadsheet as quickly as possible, so they can start paying out premium points by Monday morning. They can do this processing quicker if the forms are easily split between 4-H entries, FFA entries, Open Class adult and open class youth entries. The different colored paper makes it possible for them.
- You don’t have to print your forms, you can get entry forms from the county fair office, the county parks office, or the county extension office.
- Who do I go to if I have a question or concern?
- If your question or concern relates to 4-H, contact the 4-H office.
- If your question or concern relates to fair regulations or the fairground facility, contact the fair office, you can also include the 4-H office if you aren’t sure.
- If your concern relates to your auction animal, contact the PNWJLA, you can also include the 4-H office if you aren’t sure.
- If you are at the fair and are unsure who to contact, ask your barn superintendent.
- I submitted my entry form on time but now plan on bringing a different animal of the same species, what do I do?
- Contact the barn superintendent.
- Who writes the fair’s exhibitor’s guide?
- Several people. A group of fair board members and fair staff work together to collect and consider changes each year. Each barn superintendent gets to make updates and changes to their barn. The fair’s veterinarian helps with the animal requirements to ensure they meet state laws and local biosecurity needs.
- What if I don’t like what the veterinarian told me?
- The fair’s veterinarian’s decisions are final. You can ask questions, but please be respectful and show good sportsmanship if you don’t like the decision. The veterinarian is sometimes required by law to make certain decisions.
Program Contact
Melanie Greer, 4-H and Youth Empowerment CoordinatorPhone Number360-912-2062 Email Address • melanie.greer@wsu.edu