State Fair

Fair Wrap-up 2023

| County Fair, Projects, State Fair

Another Fair is coming to an end. What a wonderful and successful year! I am very proud of each and every one who participated.  

Mandatory Livestock Sale Meeting

There is a Mandatory Livestock Sale Meeting on Tuesday, August 8 at 12:00 p.m. in the bleachers of the MAC Arena. This is the opportunity to review the sale bill prior to the sale and make sure your information is correct. Look it over carefully! The Livestock Sale is Wednesday starting at 4:30 p.m. and everyone is welcome to attend. There is a free barbecue dinner.  

Project Pickup

On Wednesday, August 9 from 7:00–10:00 a.m. is the time scheduled to come and pick up your projects. The member does not have to be present to pick up the project. If the member or parent are unable to pick up the project(s), please let me know so I can pick them up. Be sure to collect your premium money for the ribbons received. The money should be available in the McKee Building.

Colorado State Fair Projects

If your project received a champion (dark purple) ribbon, then it qualifies to go to the Colorado State Fair (except Self-Determined projects). If you choose not to send your project to state fair, please let Pam know ASAP so the reserve champion has the opportunity to go.

If you are sending your project to state fair then you have the option to check it in on Wednesday morning by taking it to the Fort Collins Room in the McKee Building. I would suggest that you look over the project and the record book to review the comments made by the judge. You may want to take your project and record book home and improve it based on the comments. Also if you have a project that needs special packing, you may wish to take the project home and pack the item for safe travels to Pueblo. The Larimer County Extension staff will be transporting the items to Pueblo and they will also return the items back to Larimer County after the state fair. Beware that whatever you pack your project in will NOT be returned. I will be around on Wednesday morning if you would like to discuss the options and I can give feedback on the judge’s comments if necessary. If you decide to take the project home and make changes, you need to go to the Fort Collins room and let Extension know that you are planning to send the project to state fair, but you are taking it home and will be returning it to State Fair Project Check-in on Tuesday, August 15 between 7:30–10:00 a.m. All Larimer County ribbons and the comment sheet need to be removed prior to checking it in.

All Foods projects and Cake Decorating projects that qualified for state MUST be checked in to State Fair Project Check-in on Tuesday, August 15 between 7:30–10:00 a.m. If you have a cake going to the state fair, it must be decorated exactly how it was at the county fair.

If you would like to discuss any of your project placings on Wednesday, I will be happy to look them over. Please remember that judges are just people, and the ribbon placings are their opinion.

Shooting Sports Shirts

If you ordered Larimer County Shooting Sports shirts, they will be available on Wednesday morning in the McKee Building’s Exhibit Hall.

Pick Up Your Projects / August 10 from 7:00–10:00 a.m.

| County Fair, Deadlines, Projects, State Fair

All projects must be picked up at the McKee Building at The Ranch on Wednesday, August 10 between the hours of 7:00–10:00 a.m.

If you are not able to be there to check out your project, please contact Cindy so that arrangements can be made. Text is probably the best way to reach her (970-481-7993).

Here’s more info about picking up projects:

  1. ALL projects MUST be picked up Wednesday, August 10 between the hours of 7–10 a.m.  If you are unable to make this time PLEASE find someone who can pick up your fair projects for you.
  2. If your project received a Champion ribbon and you would like to compete at the Colorado State Fair you must check it in the Fort Collins room in the McKee Building. If you decide not to participate in the state fair, please notify those checking in the Fort Collins room so that the reserve champion recipient may attend. (Foods and Cake Decorating projects will check their items in on August 16 from 7:30–10:00 a.m. More information is included on the purple sheet placed in your record book.)
  3. Prior to checking in for the state fair all ribbons must be removed.
  4. All baked foods including cakes will be disposed of at the county fair with the exception of the cake forms. Don’t forget to pick up your cake boards.
  5. Don’t forget to gather not only your project including the record book but the name cards, ribbons, and trophy.
  6. Your project maximum size must be no larger than 3′-0″ in width and depth and 7′-0″ in height and not heavier than 35 lbs. If your project exceeds these measurements, then the record book may be submitted with pictures illustrating the project and an explanation that it exceeded the measurement requirements.
  7. Please bring materials to package your project to go to the state fair safely.  Any packaging materials sent to the state fair will not be returned. Please use cardboard boxes and bubble wrap or other types of materials. 
  8. If you are participating in the state shooting competition and ordered a state shirt they will be available for pickup Wednesday morning. Don’t forget!

PLEASE, PLEASE if you are available we need many volunteers to help with taking down and putting away the tables and chairs. We really can use some help—there are a lot of tables.

Livestock Project Updates

| Announcements, Projects, State Fair | , , , ,

All livestock members should be aware of some changes being made this year.

Weigh-in Dates

Beef: February 22, 2022

Sheep/Goats: April 25, 2022

Hogs: Nominations open April 1, 2022 and are due May 2, 2022.

Beef Program Weights

Market Heifers: 1,075–1450 lb (Minimum weight increased)

Market Steers: 1,100–1,550 lb (No change)

Sheep/Goats Weights

The past rule states: Goats are to be born after December 1, 2021. Lambs are to be born after January 1, 2022.

To have a valid, enforceable rule for youthful animals, there will be a maximum weight allowed for animals that tag in on April 25, 2022.

  • Goats cannot weigh over 85 lb on April 25, 2022. If they do they will not be a valid entry.
  • Lambs cannot weigh over 125 lb on April 25, 2022. If they do they will not be a valid entry.

As a guideline to stay within the weight limits, birthdates are recommended as in previous years.

County Fair Weights for Sheep/Goats

Market Goats: 60–120 lb (maximum weight put in place)

Market Lambs: 105–170 lb (maximum weight put in place)

Extension Agent is allowed to “mouth” market wethers/does/ewes if there is reason.

Market Hog Program

Photo IDs will be required with hog nominations like 2021.

6 photos will be required: front view, rear view, both sides, and close up of each ear showing all of the notches.

State Fair Nominations

Animals being nominated for the state fair will need to work with Robyn Toft at the Colorado State Fair for DNA packets. We will not be forwarding retinal images for the state fair.

Please reach out to Bailey Schilling with any questions you may have.

Volunteers Needed to Transport 4-H Projects to State Fair

| Leaders, State Fair, Virtual

We hope you are well and get some rest following the County Fair! Our team is moving right into State Fair, and we are in need of some volunteers to help out. 

  • We need 1–2 volunteers to help load and pack projects for the State Fair on August 17th from 1:00–3:00 p.m. at the McKee Building at The Ranch. 
  • We need 2 volunteers to travel to Pueblo with us on August 18th to deliver the 4-H projects to the State Fairgrounds.
  • We need 2 volunteers to travel to Pueblo on September 7th to pick up the 4-H projects from the Fairgrounds. Ideally, at least one approved 4-H volunteer who would be comfortable pulling a 16-foot trailer down and back. We will compensate mileage. 

Please contact Katie Daywalker by email, or call or text at 970-335-8196 if you are able to help.

We appreciate your help in getting our members’ projects safely to and from the State Fair! 

Also, the next Front Range Leaders training opportunity is coming up on Thursday, September 16th at 6:30 p.m. This will be a great training hosted by Arapahoe County Agents on the 4-H Code of Conduct. Register here to participate: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMucuCprzsoGtf37xEOE7I6BblcYmDarqG0.

Best,

Katie Daywalker

Pick Up Your Projects on August 11

| County Fair, Projects, State Fair

All exhibits and record books must be picked up from the McKee Building on Wednesday, August 11th between 7:00–10:00 a.m.

We cannot guarantee that any projects not picked up by 10:00 a.m. on August 11th can be returned. Please plan accordingly. 

If your project is eligible to go to the State Fair, please refer to the information printed on purple paper in your record book, or found here.

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