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Finney County Fair - Rules & Regulations
On this page:
- General Rules & Regulations
- General Livestock Rules
- 4-H/FFA/FCCLA General Rules
- 4-H/FFA General Livestock Rules
General Rules & Regulations
The following rules are prescribed by the Finney County Fair Board for the operation of the Finney County Fair. The Board reserves the right to interpret these rules and regulations and arbitrarily settle all questions arising in connection with the fair. The Fair Office is located in the Exhibition Building.EXHIBITOR NUMBERS
All exhibitors will be assigned a unique exhibitor number that must appear legibly on all exhibit cards. The exhibitor number is required for all exhibitors, including children showing in the PeeWee classes in Livestock departments. ONLY 1 NUMBER IS REQUIRED PER EXHIBITOR. 4-H, FFA and FCCLA exhibitors will use their assigned numbers for any Open Class Exhibits. Exhibitor numbers can be obtained at the Extension Office prior to the Fair, or at the Fair Office during check-in for exhibits. Failure to put the exhibitor number on the entry cards may delay payment of premiums.
CLASS NUMBERS
Each class has been assigned a unique number. That number must appear legibly on all exhibit cards. 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA classes all use numbers in the 1000 series. Open class numbers use number in the 3000 series. Our computer system will not allow us to use Open Class Exhibitor numbers with 4-H class numbers. An invalid exhibitor number/class number combination on entry cards may result in premiums not being paid.
ENTRIES
1. All entries are free except commercial booth space and no admission will be charged to any exhibit.
2. Entries for all classes must be made on exhibit cards available at the Extension Office. Divisions are: 4-H, FFA and FCCLA; Open Class Youth under 7 years of age; Open Class Youth 7 through 19 years of age; and Open Class Adults. Exhibitors should mark the appropriate box for their division on the exhibit cards. Age will be determined by day of entry for open class youth. All 4-H youth will use their 4-H age (as of Jan. 1) for 4-H exhibits. All sections of the card must be filled out legibly before department superintendents will accept entries.
4. Youth and Adult Open Class entries will be judged separately.
5. Articles must be entered with exhibit card attached. DO NOT separate entry cards.
6. Exhibitors should carefully note special rules for departments in which their entries are made.
7. Youth and Adult Open Class exhibitors may include non-county residents. Exhibitors in the 4-H/FHA/FCCLA Division must be members of Finney County Clubs.
8. Exhibits are to be the work of: the exhibitors where mechanical or hand skill is required; the grower where crops or garden exhibits are entered; the owner and feeder where livestock exhibits are entered; and the result of current year's work.
9. The same exhibit may not be shown in both 4-H/FFA/FCCLA and Open class, unless stated in the rules for each department.
10. Exhibitors shall be responsible for keeping exhibits, exhibit buildings and adjacent areas clean under the supervision of the department superintendents.
11. See individual departments for entry times.
JUDGING
12. The Danish Award system will be used in the 4-H/FFA division and in all Open Class age divisions except Youth under age 7. The Danish System of placing exhibits is a rating of a blue, red or white award for every exhibit. The standard for each exhibit is established by the characteristics of the ideal product in each category at the judge's discretion.
Blue - Excellent quality
Red - Good quality
White - Acceptable quality
13. Open Class Youth (under age 7) - Exhibits will receive a striped participation ribbon and 50˘ premium money per exhibit.
14. A judge at his/her discretion may withhold any or all ribbons if the article or animal is not worthy of award.
15. Champion ribbons may be awarded if there are more than three in the class, or where the judge determines the exhibit of outstanding quality. In all Divisions, an exhibit must have received a blue ribbon in order to be named a Champion or Reserve Champion.
16. Any person attempting to interfere with the judges or who publicly voices disapproval of the judges' decision shall forfeit any awards won.
PROTESTS
17. Judges decisions are final, subject to protest. All protests must be made in writing to the Fair Secretary, setting forth the grounds for protest. Such protests must be filed by 12:00 noon, last day of the fair.
18. A grievance committee made up of any five fair board members, with the aid of the department superintendent, will decide the outcome of a protest.
LIABILITY OF EXHIBITORS
19. Management is not responsible for accidents, fire or theft of neither exhibits, nor injuries to persons. Exhibits shall be displayed at owner's risk.
20. Nothing shall be sold or given away by exhibitors, which shall conflict with the operation of concessions.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY RULES
21. Electrical Safety is Everyone's Responsibility
A. All electrical switches, plugs, cords, insulators and ground wires must be undamaged.
B. Only UL approved double insulated and/or grounded cords and devices are allowed.
C. Extension cords must be plugged into a GFCI outlet or GFCI equipped device.
D. All unprotected electrical wires must be kept out of the reach of children and animals.
E. All electrical wires within the reach of animals or children must be protected.
F. One animal and two citizens will be permitted in designated grooming stations.
G. Do not overload circuits. Watch for signs of over heated outlets, cords, and switches.
H. Conduct a thorough inspection before each major event. Follow electricians instructions.
I. Water and electricity do not mix. Unplug devices that become damp, wet, or damaged.
J. Report any unsafe condition, practice, and any violation of these guidelines immediately.
Electrician, certifies with inspection and signature, that they have completed the electrical safety inspection and made necessary power connections for the events daily. If a problem is noted by the electrician, the equipment will be removed from the building.
Out of reach is defined as 6' above ground.
RELEASE OF EXHIBITS
22. All exhibits except sale livestock shall be released from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, at which time the Exhibit Buildings will close. Livestock will be released at the Department Superintendents' discretion following load out of floor market animals.
23. Any exhibits left beyond 4:00 p.m. on Sunday are left at owner's risk and can be picked up at the Extension Office on Tuesday.
24. Exhibitors shall forfeit any awards by violation of the above rules or by early removal of exhibits.
PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS
25. 4-H, FFA and FCCLA youth exhibit premiums will be paid by check to Chapter Advisors and Club Leaders within two weeks of the end of the fair.
26. Open class exhibitors should pick up their premium money between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Exhibition Building or on Tuesday at the Extension Office.
27. Premiums will be forfeited if not picked up by September 30 at the Finney County Extension Office. Notifications will NOT be sent and no monies will be held past that date.
28. Premiums will be forfeited if exhibits are removed before release times as stated in rules for each department.
General Livestock Rules
29. See General Rules starting on Page 13 and Special Rules under each department.30. All Open Class livestock must be pre-entered by submitting an entry to the Extension Office by Monday, July 14.
31. Open Class beef, dairy, and sheep do not have to stall on grounds. Open Class swine must be stalled on grounds.
32. Stall requests for all animals that are to be stalled on the grounds must be submitted by Monday, July 14.
33. The number of entries in the Livestock Departments will be guided by individual Department rules.
34. Department superintendents will assign pens and stalls.
35. Each livestock exhibitor is to furnish his/her own feed.
36. Enough bedding will be furnished by the Fair Board to bed down stalls or pens.
37. Any exhibitor who neglects or refuses to keep entry and pen clean for the duration of the fair shall forfeit prize money on recommendation of the department superintendent.
38. Animals with active lesions or warts, ringworm, pinkeye, sore mouth, club lamb fungus, or mange will not be permitted to exhibit. Kansas is brucellosis, pseudorabies and tuberculosis free so no test for these diseases will be required for livestock originating within the state.
39. The department superintendent is authorized to refuse livestock showing signs of disease, or deemed for any other reasons to be dangerous to other animals or to the general public. A licensed veterinarian shall inspect all entries if necessary and his/her orders shall be final.
40. ALL exhibitors will be required to complete a drug release/waiver form to be turned in at the time of entry.
41. All Health requirements as printed in rules for each department will be strictly enforced.
42. All livestock must be shown by owner at time of judging unless the department superintendent has granted permission for a representative of the owner to show.
43. No dogs or cats are allowed in livestock areas.
Warning
Under Kansas law, there is no liability for an injury to or the death of a participant in domestic animal activities resulting from the inherent risks of domestic animal activities, pursuant to K.S.A. 60-4001 through 60-4004. You are assuming the risk of participating in this domestic animal activity. Inherent risks for domestic animal activities include, but shall not be limited to:
(1) The propensity of a domestic animal to behave in ways i.e., running, bucking, biting, kicking, shying, stumbling, rearing, falling or stepping on, that may result in an injury, harm or death to persons on or around them;
(2) the unpredictability of a domestic animal’s reaction to such things as sounds, sudden movement and unfamiliar objects, persons or other animals;
(3) certain hazards such as surface and subsurface conditions;
(4) collisions with other domesticated animals or objects; and
(5) the potential of a participant to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the participant or others, such as failing to maintain control over the domestic animal or not acting within such participant's ability.
4-H/FFA/FCCLA General Rules
1. Each 4-H Club member is encouraged to make at least one exhibit of his or her current project work.2. All exhibits must be the result of the current year's project work. Youth must be enrolled in any project they exhibit at the fair in the 4-H/FFA/FCCLA Division.
3. Entries for all classes must be made on exhibit cards available at the Extension Office. Leaders will also have a supply of the cards. All sections of the card must be filled out before department superintendents will accept entries. Some exhibits also require additional labels. See departments for guidelines.
4. Request for livestock stall space, club booths, mini-booths, poultry and rabbit space, and home environment booths must be turned in to the Extension Office by Monday, July 14.
5. All exhibits MUST be in place by entry closing time set for each department. Refer to each department for the date and time entries must be in place.
6. Two exhibits per class are permitted except where otherwise designated.
7. In all 4-H/FFA/FCCLA classes the age of the exhibitor will be as of Jan. 1 of the current year. In some departments, entries are divided by age. Age breakdowns are:
Cloverbuds -- Ages 5, 6, and 7
Junior -- Ages 7, 8, and 9
Intermediate -- Ages 10, 11, 12, and 13
Senior -- Ages 14 and over.
8. All 4-H/FFA/FCCLA exhibits will be judged through consultation judging. Consultation judging is a process that allows the judge to visit with the exhibitor about the project work completed that year. Parents are encouraged to observe the process. 4-Hers in the Clothing, Foods, Demonstration Contest, Fashion Revue, Fiber Arts, and Visual Arts & Crafts will receive a judging schedule prior to the fair. Other exhibitors will sign up for a consultation judging time when they enter their exhibit. Judges in the livestock projects will visit with the entire group of exhibitors as the projects are being judged.
AWARD SYSTEM
9. The Danish Group Award system of making awards will be used. The Danish System of placing exhibits is a rating of blue, red or white awards. The standard for each exhibit is established by the characteristics of the ideal product in each category.
Blue - Excellent quality
Red - Good quality
White - Acceptable quality
10. A minimum of three exhibits is required before a champion is awarded except when judge determines exhibit is of outstanding quality.
STATE FAIR
11. Outstanding 4-H exhibits in each class except market livestock will be chosen to represent Finney County at the State Fair. Performance and Showmanship State Fair horse entries are selected at the District Horse Show. Final date for State Fair entry of livestock is July 15, directly to the State Fair office with appropriate entry fees.
12. All 4-H members selected for State Fair who are 10 years of age by Jan. 1 of current year may exhibit in the State Fair where classes are available. Check the State Fair Book for rules, classes, and exceptions to the age requirement.
4-H/FFA General Livestock Rules
LIVESTOCK13. All 4-H and FFA livestock will be stalled at the fairgrounds. Requests for livestock stall space must be turned in to the Extension Office by Monday, July 14.
14. Market animals (beef, sheep, swine, & goats) must be entered and weighed at the times specified under their department rules. All swine are to be weighed clean.
15. All horse entries must be turned into the Extension Office by Monday, July 14th.
16. All youth division livestock not sold in the livestock auction must remain in place until released by the Department Superintendents’ on Sunday, Aug 3.
17. No animals will be permitted to leave the fairgrounds before their species check out time with the exception of the species Grand Champion winners whose owners wish to attend the Tri State Royal Show at Goodland. If any of the Grand Champion owners do choose to remove their animals for the Tri State Royal Show, that animal shall be disqualified from participating in the Premium Auction.
18. All market lambs and market goats to be sold at the fair will automatically go to floor price.
19. All animals that go through the premium auction will go to slaughter and be terminal. Previous year bucket calf must weigh 950 lbs. Only market animals exhibited can be sold at floor.
20. The number of entries in the Livestock Departments will be guided by individual Department rules.
21. All livestock exhibitors must furnish their own feed and feeding equipment. Enough bedding will be furnished by the Fair Board to bed down stalls or pens.
22. Exhibitors are required to maintain livestock areas and their animals. Areas and animals should be maintained in a clean and professional manner. Exhibitors failing to comply with this expectation will forfeit all premiums, including the opportunity to participate in the premium auction.
23. Any animal may be exhibited as a 4-H or FFA animal depending on the youth's wishes and affiliation. However, all 4-H/FFA animals will be shown in the same classes.
24. All male market livestock must be castrated and healed.
25. Each exhibitor must groom his or her own animal and may use only the assistance of an immediate family member (mother, father, legal guardian, brother, sister) or of another 4-H or FFA member who is a livestock exhibitor.
26. Livestock will be on display in the barns each evening from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. for public viewing.
27. All market livestock must have been weighed and identified on the county tagging dates. Weighing is optional.
28. 4-H/FFA Horses are encouraged to be stalled at the fair.
29. Animals will be weighed only one time.
30. No oil, powder, or other treatments, which interfere with packer dressing of carcasses, is permitted.
31. Space for blocking chutes or blocking tables will be designated by livestock superintendents. No blocking chutes or blocking tables will be allowed in the West Pavilion or in the Show Building.
32. All livestock exhibitors are encouraged to enter in fitting and showing. Ribbons and premiums will be awarded as in other classes. Animals shown in fitting and showing classes must be entered in a 4-H/FFA division class for judging. Entrant must exhibit his/her own animal.
LIVESTOCK PREMIUM AUCTION
33. A special recognition reception sponsored by 4-H and FFA members and the Auction Committee will be held at the Show Arena from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday for the livestock buyers.
34. The livestock auction will be held on Saturday in the fairgrounds show arena at 5:30 p.m.
35. Beef, sheep, swine, and meat goat market entries are eligible for the auction.
36. Minimum weight for livestock at auction:
Market Hogs - 200 lbs. Market Beef - 950 lbs.
Market Lambs - 100 lbs. Meat Goats – 60 lbs.
37. The order of the auction will be determined by placing. However, exhibitors who do not turn in buyer reservation forms by the deadline will not sell.
38. The weight taken on check-in day will be the auction weight.
39. The 4-H or FFA member will present a picture and ribbon to the buyer.
40. All animals, which include beef, sheep, swine, and meat goats that are sold at the Finney County Livestock Premium Auction, will go to slaughter.
41. Each 4-H or FFA member can have no more than two animals going through the premium auction, with a limit of one animal per species.
42. Exhibitors must personally show their own animal(s) for sale through the Premium Auction, except by special permission granted by three committee members.
43. No animals will be permitted to leave the fairgrounds before their species check out time with the exception of the species Grand Champion winners whose owners wish to attend the Tri State Royal Show at Goodland. If any of the Grand Champion owners do choose to remove their animals for the Tri State Royal Show, that animal shall be disqualified from participating in the Premium Auction.