Fair FAQs

There was something shared at the Fair Information Meeting, but I can't remember the details. How can I find that information?

We will post all the materials and slides shared at the meeting on our website. We’ll also record the meeting and post it on our fair website later that week.

My leader said I need to sign up for "classes." Are these workshops? Can anyone sign up for a class?

At judged events, the items to be judged are sorted together with other similar items. They are “classified” into a grouping. For Fair, each “class” is grouped by the skills that the member is demonstrating. For example, there is a class for photographs of landscapes that were taken by junior-aged members. Those photos will be judged by the same standards. There is a different class for senior-aged members to demonstrate their dog care and handling skills that is called Showmanship. Those senior members will all enter the showring together and demonstrate their skills in a live contest. Many times the items or performances from a single class or a grouping of similar classes will be compared together, and a Champion may be declared by the judge.

When and how can I get help?

Help is generally available from 4-H staff at the Extension office Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Email us at [email protected], call us at 503-655-8635, or stop by the office at 200 Warner Milne Rd, Oregon City. Generally, the closer we get to the deadline, the more people are asking questions and the longer it takes us to answer them all. The sooner you reach out to us, the more we’ll be able to help. That’s why we encourage you to start working on the fair entry process early!

Superintendents and leaders can also answer some questions, especially about choosing the right classes to enter. They are volunteers, so please be understanding if they’re not immediately available.

I'm only in Horse / only in Dog. Why am I getting information about County Fair?

There are lots of opportunities at County Fair that are open to all members, regardless of what project(s) they’re in. Popular classes include Educational Displays and Presentations. New classes, such as Graphic Design were added last year. See the fairbook for a complete list of these opportunities!

I keep getting reminders about fair sign-ups. Why? Does this mean you didn't get my entries?

We want to make sure you don’t miss the information! Members can add entries for Horse Fair until 11:59 pm on Monday, June 1. Entries for Dog Fair and County Fair don’t close until 11:59 pm on Thursday, June 11. So even if you’ve already submitted entries, there’s a chance you might want to add more.

Are Record Books required?

That depends – are you entering Horse Fair? If so, yes – you need to turn your record books in to the 4-H office by June 1. Find out more at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/4h/clackamas/horse-project. Are you entering a class that says that you must show production records? If so, you need to bring your breeding/production record with you when you bring your animal to fair. Otherwise, no, record books aren’t required.

How do I reserve a camping spot at Horse Fair or County Fair?

We will post information about Horse Fair camping here and send out emails to Horse project families as soon as it's available.

The fairgrounds manages camping at County Fair. Watch their website or contact their office at (503) 266-1136 or [email protected] for more information.

How do I get to ShoWorks?

insert link

Do you have any tips for logging in to ShoWorks?

1. The log-in fields are case sensitive.
2. Type the usernames and password we emailed you manually. The system sometimes fails to find an exhibitor when the autofill feature is used.
3. Be sure that there are no extra spaces in the usernames or passwords.
4. The password includes the ^ symbol before the 4-digit birth year.
5. If your device doesn’t have the ^ symbol (on my keyboard, it’s on the same key as the number 6, so I click that key while also clicking the shift key), try copying and pasting from this email.
6. Be sure the caps lock isn’t on – some people seem to have that set as their default.

I already have an account for ShoWorks. Can I use that? Can I make my own ShoWorks login or password?

Please don’t. We’ve created accounts for all fair-eligible 4-H members that already have important information related to our fair. If you use the account we send you, it saves a lot of work for your family and for our staff and volunteers. If you change the password on the account we’ve sent you, or if you use a different account, we might not be able to access your record if you need help.

What are the age ranges for Cloverbuds, Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors?

• Cloverbuds were ages 5-8 on September 1, 2025.
• Juniors were ages 9-11 on September 1, 2025.
• Intermediates were ages 12-14 on September 1, 2025.
• Seniors were ages 15-18 on September 1, 2025.

My child turned 9 in November 2025. That means they can show sheep at County Fair, right?

Sorry, that is not correct. A child who turned 9 in November was 8 on September 1, 2025. They will be a Cloverbud until next fall. Cloverbuds are not eligible to show large animals: beef, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, llamas/alpacas, dogs, or horses.

Do Cloverbud need to do YQCA?

No. YQCA or the alternate specialty animal ethics training is only required for Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors.

What is YQCA? Where I can learn more?

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals. Check out our webpage! https://extension.oregonstate.edu/4h/clackamas/yqca-animal-ethics-training

I’m a new member and I want to show a guinea pig. Do I need to do the YQCA training?

You must complete either the YQCA training or take an alternate specialty animal ethics training offered by the state 4-H office. This applies to all members showing rabbits, cavies (guinea pigs), poultry, pigeons, dogs, or horses.

Members showing beef, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, llamas/alpacas, or any type of goat must complete the YQCA training and earn a certificate of completion from the YQCA organization.

Do Cloverbuds need to do YQCA?

No. YQCA or the alternate specialty animal ethics training is only required for Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors.

I got my YQCA certificate in 2025 but it expires in 2026. I thought they were good for three years. Do I need to go through the training again?

You don’t need to go through the training again for 4-H fairs. Each certificate has the year it was earned on it. A certificate earned in 2025 meets the 4-H requirements for county fairs and state fairs through 2027. Other non-4-H events may have other requirements.

I'm confused about showmanship, breeding, conformation, market, and specialty animal classes. What's the difference?

• Showmanship is where the member is judged on how well they show their animal. If a member showing an animal project at Fair, they are required to enter Showmanship.
• Conformation / breeding is where the animal itself is judged on how closely it matches the breed standards. This is required for each animal brought to Fair, unless it’s shown in a Market class.
• Market classes – for animals who are to be entered in the market animal auction, or for those members or animals who signed up with a market animal but did not meet the auction requirements.
• Specialty classes – additional optional animal classes. Animals entered in specialty classes must be also be entered in the classes above.

Does my Cloverbud’s pet rabbit need a unique ID? How do you ID a pigeon? Is the scrapie tag number enough to ID a goat? Can I leave this blank and fill it in later?

Check the 4-H newsletters for articles about how to identify your animal. Every animal that is shown at Horse Fair, Dog Fair, or County Fair needs a unique ID, and you need to know that ID before you submit your fair entries. Depending on the industry standards for your animal, that might be an ear tag, tattoo, leg band, ear notch, microchip, brand, or photos that show their color and markings. If you have questions about what is needed for your animal, ask your leader, the Superintendent for that project area, or contact the Extension office.

But what if it's a baby animal, or I don't have the animal when fair entries are due?

For nearly all animals, the member must have it in their possession before they enter Fair. Check the fair rules for your project area.

The only animals that might be fair-eligible that you won’t have permanent ID for by June 1 are market chickens and market rabbits. In this case, you can enter a placeholder number or code. For example, you might use RBT1, RBT2, and RBT3. When you have the leg bands or tattoo numbers in July, you can contact the Superintendent with the correct numbers.