COUNTY AND STATE FAIR

What is a County Fair exhibit?
An exhibit is an object or display made, grown or raised by the 4-H member during the past year. Ideally it motivates him/her to learn and have fun in a 4-H project. An exhibit is not an end in itself nor does it measure how much is learned in a project. The reward of self-satisfaction for having completed a project is as important as a blue ribbon.

How are 4-Hers evaluated at the County Fair?
When wandering past exhibits in the 4-H Youth Building or through the animal barns, many fair-goers wonder how a certain exhibit or animal earns a blue ribbon and another garners a white or red. Here is a quick lesson in 4-H judging to help make sense of the ribbons festooning exhibits at the Fair.

4-H judging utilizes the Danish System when evaluating a youth's performance. Judging is based on criteria, not against another exhibit. Known as a "standard of perfection" it considers the age of the exhibitor; the effort expended on the project; the quality of the finished project; and the knowledge gained by the exhibitor. A blue ribbon means the exhibit was judged to be excellent; a red means it was good; a white means it was worthy. The Danish System is used to evaluate all of the exhibits on display n the 4-H Youth Building.

4-H animal events utilize the modified Danish System. The animals are judged according to a standard of perfection with blue being excellent, red being good and white being worthy. The animals are then judged against each other and ranked (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) and placed to go on in competition. The Grand Champion in an animal class is the very best of all of the animals judged as excellent. Grand Champions receive purple ribbons.

For more information, look for the kids with the 4-H All Stars buttons. They are 4-H members who have volunteered to share their experience and expertise with curious visitors to all 4-H exhibits at the Fair!

Click here for general information about the Ulster County Fair 

Click here for general  information about the New York State Fair

Site last updated 05/01/2009