Fair Time
Everything you need to know for a successful fair season.
Identifying Animals
All animals being shown by 4-H members in grades 3+ MUST be ID’ed in 4HOnline or the Extension Office by the following dates.
February 15 - Market beef & dairy steers
May 15 - Breeding beef, dairy, dairy goat, dog, horse, lama, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep, swine
June 1 - Jr. doe kid meat goat
July 1 - Jr. doe kid dairy goat
Information on ID’ing your animals will be sent out to beef families in January prior to the February 15 market beef & dairy steer deadline and to all other families enrolled in livestock projects in April prior to the May 15 ID deadline.
Information about identifying your animals can be found anytime by going to
Registering for County Fair
Families must register the exhibits their youth wish to exhibit for 4-H at the County Fair. All exhibits, including general projects (crafts, photography, shop, etc.) AND livestock exhibits must be registered by June 25. Please note - ID’ing your animals DOES NOT register them for fair. You will need to complete this process in addition to ID’ing your animals.
Information will be sent in May with details on registering for the County Fair. All registrations can be done online at https://z.umn.edu/LincolnFairEntry by logging in with your family’s 4HOnline account information OR by contacting the Extension Office at 507-694-1470 or mnext-lincoln@umn.edu.
Premium Book
When & Where?
The Lincoln County Fair is held in late July or early August and is open to fairgoers Thursday - Sunday.
The grounds are located in Tyler.
Entry Day
Livestock Check-In
The 4-H Fair Judging Experience
How are Fair Exhibits Judged?
4-H General Projects are Judged in a Conference
What To Expect During Conference Judging?
The interview is as important as the exhibit itself: an equal “weight” is given on the actual exhibit and on the conference—50/50.
The judge, who is knowledgeable in the project area, determines the ribbon placing.
Judges will observe, question, listen and challenge youth.
Judges offer encouraging and constructive feedback, as well as, suggestions on how to further explore the project area.
How are Cloverbuds judged?
Cloverbud members have their own judging area.
The judge will ask youth to tell them about their project.
The judge will ask youth questions about the project and may give youth ideas for next year’s project.
Youth will receive a participation ribbon for Cloverbuds.
The Cloverbud program provides youth K - 2nd grade the opportunity to explore and actively learn in a noncompetitive environment. Developmental research supports noncompetitive activities and participation recognition.
How are livestock judged?
Livestock and other animal projects are designed to allow youth to learn management practices such as nutrition, shelter, environment, breeding, care, etc. of their animal. The assessment of this knowledge, as it is applied to the project, can occur in one or all of the ways listed below.
Evaluation of the animal considering its physical characteristics and/or performance.
Showmanship and knowledge of the exhibitor as displayed in the show ring. How the animal is prepared, groomed and is presented at its optimal level.
Animal science Interviews reveal the exhibitor’s knowledge in the animal project area and ability to communicate in an interview setting or evaluation/test.
There may be special classes to enter for your animal species. Read the County Fair Premium list carefully to see what you can enter.
Cloverbud Livestock
Typically, Cloverbud livestock does not stay at the fairgrounds for the duration of the fair. You'll bring your animal in on the day of the show and take it home the same day (unless your Cloverbud is showing an animal that is already being used by another 4-Her...in that case, the animal stays). Cloverbuds can show their animals following the MN 4-H Cloverbud Policy
Cloverbud animals need to have an ID that is recognized as official by the MN Board of Animal health. If you're not sure if your animal has that, please contact our office and we can make sure.
When Cloverbuds present their livestock to the judge, they will be asked what they learned in the project, how they cared for their animal, and prepared for the fair. This will be a “show and tell” where the members share their animal with the judge. The exhibits will not be evaluated with blue, red, or white ribbons, but rather a “Cloverbud Ribbon.” This gives these members a county fair experience without competition.
When animals and Cloverbuds are together at 4-H activities, such as fairs and shows, a parent/responsible person will be in control of the animal (control means to handle and lead the animal). This includes feeding, watering, and changing bedding for the animal. It also includes small animals like poultry, rabbits, and pets.
What does my colored ribbon mean?
Champion: Grand Champion! The exhibit meets all standards. The exhibitor has shown complete understanding of what, how and why the exhibit was done, and has a thorough knowledge of the subject. The exhibit and workmanship are extraordinary and need no improvement.
Pink: Reserve Champion! The exhibit meets nearly all standards. The exhibitor has shown complete understanding of what, how and why the exhibit was done, and has a thorough knowledge of the subject. The exhibit and workmanship are extraordinary and need little to no improvement.
Purple/Honorable Mention: The exhibit meets nearly all standards and was considered for a higher placing. The exhibitor has shown understanding of what, how and why the exhibit was done, and has knowledge of the subject. The exhibit and workmanship just needs a little more improvement for higher placing.
Blue: The exhibit meets most standards. The exhibitor can explain what, how and why the exhibit was done and has good knowledge of the subject. The exhibit is well organized and well done.
Red: The exhibit meets some standards. The exhibitor can somewhat explain what, how and why the exhibit was done and has a fair knowledge of the subject. Some improvements may be needed on the exhibit.
White: The exhibit meets few standards and lacks the quality of other exhibits. The exhibitor cannot adequately explain the what, how, and why of the exhibit. Possibly they have overlooked a safety flaw. Improvement is needed in either the exhibit, the knowledge of the subject, or both.
Red, White & Blue: Cloverbud exhibitors receive these special ribbons to recognize participation and achievement in a project area, event or activity.
Livestock Shows
All 4-H livestock shows are held during the fair, with the exception of Horse which is held prior to the fair. Lama and Dog shows are held at the Lyon County Fair.
Thursday
Poultry
Rabbit
Friday
Swine
Dairy
Dairy Goat
Meat Goat
Lamb Lead
Sheep
Saturday
Beef
4-H Ribbon Auction
State Fair Trips
Each year we send a number of youth to the Minnesota State Fair to exhibit their projects. This is a great honor for those youth. Lincoln County 4-H youth 6-13th grade that exhibit for 4-H at the County Fair are eligible to receive State Fair trips. Those awarded the opportunity are done so through the judging process. State Fair line-ups are posted for general and livestock areas, along with quotas stating the number of youth we are able to send from our county for each area. There will be a deadline and process that will be outlined for accepting trips. Youth that accept trips will be required to attend a State Fair meeting, along with a parent, which will be held during the County Fair. This meeting will provide information about registering, lodging, transportation, meals, chaperones, the overall experience, and more!
You can always learn more by visiting sites.google.com/umn.edu/4-h-at-fairs/ and watching the video, or checking out any of the information there.