4-H Focus

Yakima Valley Fair & Rodeo – Grandview, WA.

Central Washington State Fair in Yakima, WA

It’s almost time for the Central Washington State Fair in Yakima and we are so excited to announce the many awesome changes for this year!

The first big change being that the 4-H Department has been moved to Ag building upstairs! Meaning more room for still life entries, activities and more!

Secondly, entering your still life projects just got easier! Entry forms can now be completed online on the Central Washington State Fair ShoWorks website or by printing a hard copy of the entry form, to be given to the Superintendent on drop-off day.

New divisions and classes for 4-H have been added this year, so be sure to check out the guides listed below if your interested!

• 4-H Poultry Show
• 4-H Rabbit Show
• 4-H Horse Show Classes
• 4-H Dairylicious Baking Contest (Division Class #4)
• 4-H Dairy Container Creatures (Division Class #14)
• 4-H Dairy Poster Contest (Division Class #25)
• Triple Dairy Challenge! – High point from each age division in the combined categories of the Dairylicious Baking Challenge, Dairy Container Creature and the Dairy Education Poster. The winner in each age division will receive a buckle. All Cloverbuds will receive a dairy prize package. 
• Oral presentations- Everyone who does a presentation at the fair will receive a free milkshake from the dairy shack!

Central Washington State Fair 4-H Department Still Life & Contests

Special Featured Fair Contest – Yakima County 4-H Quilt Block Challenge

Yakima 4-H youth members are encouraged to contribute to the Yakima 4-H community quilt project! Help us to create a quilt from the many different members and clubs within our community, to be raffled off to benefit Yakima County 4-H.

Stop by the office to pick up a quilt block kit and look through a tote of extra fabric to incorporate in your design. Your unfinished square will have two opportunities to be judged, at both at West Valley Fair & Central Washington State Fair. Please keep in mind that these quilt squares will not be returned to the creator, as submitted blocks will be assembled after the Central WA State Fair to create a community to be raffled off to benefit Yakima County 4-H.

For questions regarding this contest, please contact the WSU Yakima County Extension Office at Yakima.4H@wsu.edu or by calling 509-574-1600.

Yakima County 4-H Block Quilt Challenge

Show off your crafting skills this fair season! Yakima 4-H members are encouraged to contribute to the community quilt. Quilt kits are available for pick-up at the WSU Extension Office during normal business hours. We even have a whole tote of fabric that you may dig through to contribute to your project. Stop by and pickup your materials today!

Contribute to the Yakima 4-H Community Quilt

Pick up a quilt block kit from the Yakima County WSU Extension Office, and incorporate with your own fabric to create an unfinished square to be judged at fair. Submitted blocks will be assembled after the Central Washington State Fair to create a community quilt that will be raffled off to benefit Yakima County 4-H.
Your quilt blocks will not be returned however, you will receive your score sheets and any awards received.

Contest Rules

– Your finished block must include all or most of the 7″ challenge fabric from the kit. It may be patchwork, foundation, piercing or applique. The work may be done by machine or hand.
– Embellishments are allowed but must be securely attached and washable.
– Only submit an unfinished square that measures 12.5″ x12.5″
All fabric must be pre-washed

Two opportunities for judging quilt squares!

West Valley Fair – Entry Submission Due July 12th
Central WA State Fair – Entry Submission Due September 6th

Interested & Qualifying Members

The Extension Office will be contacting members who qualify to participate in the following categories – Horse, Public Presentations, Livestock Judging and more.

If you are interested in exhibiting an animal at the Puyallup State Fair please contact the Extension Office to see if you qualify, by calling 509-574-1600 or emailing Yakima.4H@wsu.edu.

All exhibitors will need to register online at Fair Entry.

State 4-H Fair – Letter to Exhibitors

“Hello 4-H Members and families,

It is hard to believe that we are 45 days away from the start of the 2025 Washington 4-H State Fair.  I want to announce the winner of our Patch design this year is Elisa C. from Clark County. We had 17 designs submitted to the contest.  We have some amazing artists in our state, and the competition was tight!

The 4-H State Fair will be using FairEntry again this year to register. You will need your 4-H Online login to access FairEntry.

For instructions on how to register, please reference the Exhibitor Guide.

If you qualify to give a Public Presentation at the 4-H State Fair, you will sign up for your time in FairEntry when you register.

The State Fair will be using wristbands this year, instead of tickets. We are working through the final details and will let you know as soon as we have more information.

Please let us know if you have any questions.”

Kellian Whidden
4-H State Fair Manager
Kellian.st4hfair@gmail.com

4-H State Fair Gate Passes

The State Fair is converting from gate passes to wristbands this year. The bands will be available at the Service gate, Livestock gate, Green gate, and Blue gate.  The 4-H Fair board will have a representative at the gates with the approved exhibitor list and bands to distribute.  We will keep you posted as this procedure becomes more refined.

Zoom Clinic for the WA State 4-H Horse Judging Contest

Join us for an online clinic on Friday, August 15th at 6:00 pm. Open to youth contest participants, judging coaches, judging parents, and others wanting to learn about the State 4-H Horse Judging Contest and the basics of Oral Reasons.

What will be covered? New this year: Scantron will be used instead of the individual judging cards used in the past contests. You can view the new card and learn how it will be used. We will also review the contest procedures from registration through the classes and how Oral Reasons will work for Intermediates and Seniors. (Juniors will not give Oral Reasons, Intermediates will give one set of Oral Reasons, and Seniors will give two sets of Oral Reasons).

The State Horse Judging Contest will be held at the WA State 4-H Fair on Saturday, September 6, in the Horse Arena. Registration is at 8 am. Be sure to pre-register in FairEntry!

Kittitas County 4-H Invites Yakima 4-H Horse Members to Events!

Kittitas County 4-H has generously invited members from Yakima County 4-H to participate at some of their equine events!

Equine event schedule:

• October 5th, 2025 – Fall Leader’s Show – Bloom
• November 1st, 2025 – Tack Sale

If you have any questions, please contact the Kittitas County 4-H Office at 509-962-7507.