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JACKSON COUNTY FAIR

Spring & County Fairs

Fairs are where the culmination of the member's experiences, knowledge and skills on their projects throughout the year is critiqued and judged. In Jackson County, there are two fairs - Spring Fair (in which the sheep, rabbit, cavy and poultry breed shows are held) and County Fair (in which dog, horse, beef, swine, market poultry, and goat shows, as well as Home, Arts & Science exhibits and various contests are held).

Fair Premium Books are available at the Extension Office about one to two months prior to the Fairs. They list the many classes available, premiums awarded, and explain all the rules involved with each project show as well as general fair rules and information. Class numbers listed in the books are needed on the different Fair Entry Forms.

Dates for the Fairs vary from year to year, but the Spring Fair is usually held the last weekend of May, and the County Fair is held mid July. Both are held at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Dates for 2009 are: Spring Fair: May 30-31; registration's due May 13 (sheep) and May 20 (rabbit & cavy). County Fair: July 21-26; registration's due June 30. Static Exhibit entry day: July 18 (see County Fair Exhibitor Book for exceptions).  Dog show July 17-18th.

Fair Registration - All fair entries and exhibits MUST be registered prior to the Fairs. Members must fill out the correct Entry Forms and submit them along with $2.00 entry fee per exhibit and contest as follows in order to participate at Fair:

  • Spring Fair - Sheep entry forms are due the second Wednesday of May; Rabbit/Cavy/Poultry entry forms are due the third Wednesday of May in the Extension office.
  • County Fair - All entry forms are due on the last Tuesday of June (June 30, 2009) on Registration Day, held Noon - 7 p.m. (Horse entries, 4 - 7 p.m.) in the Extension Auditorium. Project records for horse, swine, goats and all Home, Art, and Science projects MUST be available for review at the same time fair entry forms are submitted. Superintendents and project leaders review the records, check the entry forms for accuracy, and assist members and/or their parents in listing the correct classes for the various exhibits. Those members or partents who are unable to bring entry and project forms to Registration Day should consider sending the paperwork and entry fees with a club leader or another member. Forms and fees may be turned in beforehand to the office, if necessary (especially Beef and Dogs), but if information on other projects is missing, member's entries may very like not get entered into the computer data base for fair. 

Instructions for filling out Fair entry registration forms:

1. There are three kinds of forms: General, for all projects except Rabbits and Horses, and two Special, one for Rabbit and Cavy, and one for Horse.

2. Please print legibly. Because of the amount of time necessary for data entry, we ask that you get your registrations in early and be especially careful/accurate when completing entry forms.

3. Class numbers must be 9 digits. All class numbers are found in the Fair Premium Books, along with rules, schedules, etc. Copies are available at the Extension Office about two months prior to each Fair.

4. Identify the project name, i.e., Beef, Clothing, Education Display.

5. Describe the project, i.e., white cotton shorts, reg. Alpine junior kid goat, Junior educational display on geology.

6. If you need more room, complete a second form (include member's name again) and attach it to the first.

7. If you have questions or need help in completing the form, call your club leader, the Fair superintendents (listed in Fair Books), or the Jackson County Extension Office at 776-7371.

Fair Entry Forms:

Contests:

There are several kinds of contests held around Fair time. Participation in most of these contests requires registration in the specific classes, found in the Fair Premium Books. Most of these include:

  • Showmanship - Required in most cases when showing animals in conformation, obstacle or other type classes. See information listed under various projects; showmanship classes will be listed near the end of each of the project sections.
  • Fashion Revue - Considered the "showmanship" class for the clothing project area. Participation in this contest is not required for members exhibiting clothing exhibits.
  • Judging - There are judging contests held in many of the different project areas in Jackson County, and some carry over to State Fair. Participation is announced in various ways to those enrolled in the project area having the contest. Most do not require participation by members exhibiting in that project area.
  • Food Preparation Contests - These are held earlier in the year usually on a weekend in March. Announcement is sent to those enrolled in the Foods project.
  • Presentation Contest - This public speaking contest is held yhe week before county fair, usually on Tuesday and Wednesday in July, in the Extension Service Auditorium. Registration is mandatory by the registration deadline for fair and must be scheduled between 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sign up for a time on Registration Day.

 

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