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| Venango County Fair |
| General Rules |
1. Open class is open to anyone, any age. 4-H classes are open only to 4-H members enrolled in the Venango County 4-H Program.
2. Only exhibits for classes listed will be accepted.
3. All entries must be registered by July 16 and include a $1 entry fee for non-animal entries and a $4 entry fee per head for animal entries . Exhibit
numbers may be picked up after noon on Sunday, August 1, in the Fair Office. Exhibits may be entered in the appropriate buildings from 5 to 8 p.m. on
Sunday and 9 to 11AM on Monday. Market animals will be weighed as they arrive on the grounds
4. All non-animal exhibits are to be left in place until 8 a.m. Sunday. The tear-off section of the entry tag MUST be presented at the building where exhibitor
is to receive the exhibit. Items not picked up at designated times will be put in the downstairs auditorium room to be picked up, during office hours.
5. An exhibitor may enter only one exhibit in each non-animal class. Animal entries - exhibitor may enter up to 2 animals per class in dairy and breeding
livestock classes. Dairy is limited to a total of 5 animals entered. Poultry and rabbits exhibitors may enter 1 animal per class.
6. Every precaution will be taken for the protection of exhibitors and exhibits, but no responsibility will be assumed by Venango County Fair, Inc. for any loss
or damage that may occur. Security will be in place from noon on Monday through 7 a.m. on Sunday.
7. Judges' decisions are final. In the event of no competition in a class, a ribbon or a premium is awarded at the discretion of the Judge.
8. Exhibitors staying overnight must stay in the camping area. Youth exhibitors/campers must have a responsible adult chaperone. There are no housing
facilities provided.
9. Any misconduct of exhibitors during the Fair will result in the person being asked to leave the Fairgrounds. This includes the use of alcoholic beverages,
nonprescription drugs, and controlled substances.
10. Skateboards, rollerblades, 3-wheelers, 4-wheelers, bicycles, dirt bikes and similar machines are not permitted during the Fair. Dogs will NOT be
permitted on the Fairgrounds during the Fair. The exception is during the 4-H Dog, Cat, Pet Show, the Open Pet Show, and during the Pet Dressing
Contest. No pets will be permitted on the Midway grounds. Dogs in ligimate service dog programs in training are permitted.
11. Premiums will be paid in December, 2010.
12. Entries not registered prior to the Fair can be exhibited, but will not be judged for premiums. Entries forms (in the center of this book) must be filled out
by July 16 and include the $1 entry fee for non-animal entries and $4 per head for animal entries and sent to:
Venango County Fair
867-B Mercer Rd, Franklin, PA 16323
13. The Fair Board have the right to determine if there is an inappropriate entry and are able to have it removed from the fairgrounds.
ANIMAL RULES – OPEN & 4-H
Applies to ALL animals:
*Required paperwork WILL be checked.
1. ALL Animals (horses, dairy, sheep, beef, swine, goats, poultry, and rabbits) MUST be registered on the proper entry form (in the center of this book) and
returned to the Fair office by JULY 16. Entry fee of $4 per animal plus $3 per exhibitor for waste management must be sent with registration in order to
complete registration. Entries without payment will NOT be entered until payment has been received.
2. If animals are to be entered in OPEN and 4-H Classes, please NOTE: The class numbers are different! You must enter both & pay entry fee for open
classes. To enter a 4-H class the animal must be designated by June 1st with the Penn State Cooperative Extension Office as a 4-H animal. These
designated animals will be the only ones permitted to show in the 4-H classes.
3. Animals will be accepted until all available space is filled. All exhibitors will accept the stall(s) assigned without controversy. After available spaces are
filled in the livestock barns, no open class registrations will be accepted. Stall space will be provided for animals only—not tack and supplies.
4. If only one entry in a class, classes may be combined with another at the discretion of the superintendent or judge.
5. No livestock, including horses, showing evidence of infectious, contagious disease, or external parasitic disease shall be allowed entrance to a show. All
horses, cattle, sheep, swine, goats & llamas must have an approved Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) within 30 days prior to show and bear unique
permanent identification. Registration papers and health certificates must be checked and approved before animals may be unloaded at the fairgrounds.
6. A “Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship” (VCPR) form must be signed by animal owner or caretaker and presented for all animals upon arrival at all
Pennsylvania fairs.
7. The improper or illegal use of drugs for controlled behavior or antibiotics is prohibited. Venango County Fair, Inc. reserves the right to test for such use.
8. All 4-H market animals will be shown in 4-H classes throughout the year, including the Venango County Fair, clean and dry, no fitting products are to be
used, only animal soap and water are to be used on 4-H market animals.
9. Animals will be permitted in the barns starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Animals cannot be stalled until they are weighed in (market animals) or checked in by
barn superintendents. Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goats, horses and dairy MUST be in by 9 p.m. on Sunday with the exception to milking dairy cows and they must
be in by 11AM on Monday. All animals may leave after 7a.m. Sunday.
10. Exhibitors must provide feed and bedding for all animal entries, including poultry, cavies and rabbits. Failure to do so will result in exhibitors being
expelled from the Fair. Wash racks are provided for keeping animals clean. All animals must be fed & watered at least once every 12 hours. Stalls must be
cleaned AT LEAST daily.
11. Tasteful decorations in barns are encouraged. No water tubs or hoses for animals in the barn at any time. Chutes may be in the beef barn on show
days in exhibitor's space from 2 hours before the show to I hour after show is finished. Chutes in the barn are ONLY for fine finishing. No heavy clipping or
blow-drying. No chutes or tables in aisles. No electric power washers will be permitted.
12. Scales will be located near the hog wash rack on Sunday for market animals.
13.In regards to showing 4-H animals: 4-H members must show their own animal in 4-H showmanship, 4-H market and 4-H breeding classes. If there is a
health issue with a 4-H member or conflict with another 4-H show, the member can substitute a 4-H member to show (must be a Venango County 4-H
member) with permission of an Extension Educator from Venango County. If youth are not present when the show is to begin or have not gained permission
from an Extension Educator, youth will be disqualified from the show and sale.
When a 4-H member has 2 4-H animals in a breeding class, that 4-H member may get help from a Venango County 4-H member to show. Youth exhibiting a
4-H animal in a 4-H class at the fair must show their own 4-H animal in a showmanship class. There can be no substitute for this class. (For example: Sue
broke her arm and cannot show her steer. Sue gets permission to substitute Joe, a member from her 4-H club, to show her steer. Joe can only show that
steer in the market class, not the showmanship class. Sue simply won’t be able to enter the showmanship class.)
4-H youth who have completed a 4-H Livestock project but could not bring an animal to the fair or could not raise an animal can show in the 4-H
Showmanship class. These youth would need to make arrangements to borrow a 4-H animal at the fair to show in the showmanship class only. (as of 9-2-09)
Venango County and Northwest Regional 4-H Livestock rules will be in effect at all times, even if not printed in this book.
Species Specific Rules:
*Required paperwork will be checked!
12. HORSES – Must have CVI within 30days of the beginning of the fair and a negative EIA test results within 1 year of the event. Coggins test within 1 year
prior to show. Report must include description of animal. Rabies vaccination required at least 1 month but not more than 12 months prior to show. All
animals entered must be stabled on the grounds, must compete and show. Exhibitors must post a stall card. Animals to be in stall at all times unless
exercising, grooming, or showing. Exercise in rings only (allowed when rings are not in use), never in parking areas. Only driving and draft animals allowed
at trailers in parking area while being harnessed or hitched. Tending of animals to be done prior to 11:15 p.m. when all persons other than barn watch are
to be out of barns. Horses eligible in only one class for halter show. ** All horses and mini’s enter through the back gate.
All 4-H horse state show rules apply as printed in rule book available at the Extension Office.
13. DAIRY – An animal can show in one type class only, and must show in a type class to show in a group class. Without registration papers from a
recognized breed, animal will show as non-registered. Rabies( animals over 3 months of age), IBR, P13, & BVD vaccines required within 1 year prior to
show. TB & Brucellosis not required for PA cattle. Animals must have an individual official animal identification tag or tatoo. Show Dress Code is white shirt
and white or black pants.
14. BEEF & DAIRY BEEF - Rabies(animals over 3 months) (market cattle are exempt from the rabies vaccination requirement)., IBR, PI3, & BVD vaccines
required within 1 year prior to show. TB & Brucellosis not required for PA cattle. Without registration papers (3/4 blood or more) from a recognized breed,
animal will show as non-registered. No horned animals permitted. Need to have individual official identification tag or tattoo. 4-H Market Beef will be
weighed when unloaded and health papers and project books need to be present at that time in order to unload. Show Dress Code is clean long pants or
dress/skirt below the knee. Collared shirt with sleeves, buttoned appropriately. No commercial logos. No bare midriffs. No hats. Appropriate shoes for
showing, which should be hard sole shoes, especially for steers and hogs. No sandals. 4-H members approaching the show ring with inappropriate attire will
be instructed by the ring crew to change. 4-H members will not be permitted in the show ring until properly dressed.
15. MARKET BEEF – Will not be judged by breed. Will be weighed on arrival to the fair and divided into weight classes of 3 or more animals. A Bred &
Owned class is available. 4-H member must own dam & market animal. Will be eligible for 4-H Bred & Owned Champion honors. To be shown clean & dry.
All market beef are to be slicked, with no more than ¼ inch of hair at time of show. 4-H members not adhering to these guidelines will not be permitted to
show in 4-H market classes or sell their 4-H market beef in the 4-H Livestock Auction at the Fair. 4-H members are to follow Venango County 4-H &
Northwest Regional 4-H Livestock rules, even if not printed in their entirety in the fair book.
16. SHEEP – A current rabies vaccination(animals 3 month and older) (market sheep are exempt from the rabies vaccination requirement).. Purebreds must
be identified by registry name & number, grade animals by farm flock number, corresponding to ear tag or tattoo. Must have scrapies tag or tatoo. All
sheep must bear an official USDA/APHIS ear tag at show. Without registration papers from a recognized breed, animal will show as commercial. Dress
Code is long clean pants or dress/skirt below the knee. Collared shirt with sleeves, buttoned appropriately. No commercial logos, No bare midriffs, no hats.
Appropriate shoes for showing, which should be hard sole shoes. No sandals. 4-H members approaching the show ring with inappropriate attire will be
instructed by the ring crew to change. 4-H members will not be permitted in the show ring until properly dressed.
17. MARKET LAMBS - Will not be judged by breed. Market lambs must be dehorned. Will be weighed on arrival to the fair and divided into weight classes of
3 or more animals. A Bred & Owned class is available. 4-H member must own dam & market animal. Will be eligible for 4-H Bred & Owned Champion
honors. To be shown clean & dry and slicked within 15 days of the fair. 4-H members not adhering to these guidelines will not be permitted to show in 4-H
market classes or sell their 4-H market lamb in the 4-H Livestock Auction at the Fair.4-H members may ONLY sell 1 market lamb through the 4-H Livestock
Sale. 4-H members are to follow Venango County 4-H & Northwest Regional 4-H Livestock rules, even if not printed in their entirety in the fair book, please
see these rules for more details.
18. MARKET SWINE –Will not be judged by breed. Brucellosis not required for PA animals. Must have individual animal id required. Will be weighed on
arrival to the fair and divided into weight classes of 5 or more animals, if animal weighs less than 160 lbs. it will not be permitted to stay on the fairgrounds.
4-H members will be permitted to show pigs using CANES ONLY. Boards may be used in the barns and to move animals. To be shown clean & dry. Pigs
can have their ears and tails shaved only! No body clipping of 4-H pigs will be permitted at any point during the 4-H project (from the time the pig is
purchased as a 4-H pig until the time it is loaded out on the Sunday after fair.). 4-H members not adhering to these guidelines will not be permitted to show
in 4-H market classes or sell their 4-H market swine in the 4-H Livestock Auction at the Fair. Dress Code is long clean pants or dress/skirt below the knee.
Collared shirt with sleeves, buttoned appropriately. No commercial logos, No bare midriffs, no hats. Appropriate shoes for showing, which should be hard
sole shoes. No sandals. 4-H members approaching the show ring with inappropriate attire will be instructed by the ring crew to change. 4-H members will not
be permitted in the show ring until properly dressed. 4-H members are to follow Venango County 4-H & Northwest Regional 4-H Livestock rules, even if not
printed in their entirety in the fair book.
20. BREEDING GOATS – Must have an official scrapies ear tag or legible breed registration tattoo. Limited to 2 entries per class. No in-tact male goats.
No horned goats, except Angoras. Space will be provided for milking stands.
21. 4-H MARKET GOATS – 4-H market goats needed to be weighed and tagged in May and they will show in the 4-H market goat class. Animals shown in
this class will be sold through the 4-H Livestock Sale. Must have an official scrapies ear tag or legible breed registration tattoo. Limited to 2 entries per
class. No in-tact male goats. No horned goats, except Angoras
22. 4-H MEAT GOATS – 4-H Meat Goats not weighed and tagged in May, will be shown in the 4-H Meat Goat class. These animals will not be sold through
the 4-H Livestock Sale. Must have an official scrapies ear tag or legible breed registration tattoo. Limited to 2 entries per class. No in-tact male goats. No
horned goats, except Angoras
23. RABBITS – Will be screened on arrival for health & show conditions. Must be permanently and legibly tattooed in left ear. Meat pens & Doe & Litter
must come in their own cage. No rabbits under 7 weeks of age (except Doe with litter). NO sales during the Fair. Advertisements can be posted on bulletin
board. Rabbits will be shown by breed and variety, according to ARBA rules. Any disputes will be resolved by Dept Super. Total limit of 15 rabbits, if space
available.
Only 4-H Poultry will be shown this year.
24. POULTRY – Must have owner’s certification that entries are free from transmissible disease, showing date of Pullorum-Typhoid and Avain Influenza
blood testing, with number, breed, species, & ID band number of each bird entered. All poultry must originate from a flock in which a minimum of 30 birds, 3
weeks or older were tested serologically negative for avian influenza within 6 months of shipment and shipment is accompanied by test report. Entries must
have had a negative pullorum-typhoid testing within 90 days from the beginning of the fair. Entries need to have identification leg bands. Cockerels &
pullets only, due to space. Poultry will be shown by breed and variety, with only one entry per class per exhibitor. For a list, contact the Extension Office.
25. All 4-H animals shown in 4-H market classes must be sold at the Venango County 4-H Livestock Auction at the Venango County Fair. Animals shown in
the feeder classes (animals that do not make the minimum weight) are excluded from this rule. Underweight or overweight 4-H market animals will have the
option of staying the week at the Fair except for 4-H Market animals not weighing at least: pigs:160#; Beef 720#, Sale Goats 48#; Lambs 64#; these will not
be permitted tostay at the fair for exhibition in the 4-H Showmanhsip or feeder classes. They will must be removed from the fairgrounds. 4-H members will be
able to borrow an animal for showmanship, if their animal is sent home. Those 4-H members electing to keep their 4-H animals at the Fair may show in a
showmanship/fitting class and in the feeder market class. 4-H members must let the Extension office and the barn super know who is hauling their animal
from the Fair.
26. All 4-H members enrolled in a 4-H Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat, Horse, Rabbit, and/or Poultry project must have completed at least 2 credits of
educational training by 7/1/10 in Ethics, Biosecurity, and/or Safe Animal Handling for the 2010 4-H year. Only those 4-H members completing this
requirement, in addition to all other requirements such as club attendance, June 1 registration of animals, etc, will be permitted to show in any 4-H classes
for the 2010 4-H year.
4-H RULES AND REGULATIONS
1. According to PA State 4-H Policy, 4-H membership is open to youth 5-18. Cloverbud 4-H members are those youth ages 5-7 years of age, as of January
1st of the current year. Those youth ages 8-18 (Youth must be 8 as of January 1st and not have passed their 19th birthday as of January 1st)) are
traditional 4-H members.
2. To be eligible to show and sell a 4-H livestock market animal in 2010, 4-H members’ project and record books must be judged prior to the fair by a 4-H
club leader or other adult designated by the 4-H club. In addition, 4-H members must have met the requirements of their 4-H club, county and regional
rules. This includes completing and submitting a June 1st animal registration form with the extension office and completing at least 2 credits in ethics, quality
assurance, bio-security, and /or safe animal handling by July 1, 2010. **Livestock 4-H members are to bring their 4-H Livestock project and record books at
weigh-in.
3. Procedure for all 4-H Textile Science members: Pick up your entry tags from the fair office bring entry tag and 4-H textile science projects to the clothing
judging area (Barnyard Café ) to be judged Monday of the fair from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00a.m.; after your items are judged, return all clothing and textile
projects to Foster/Bullock Hall for display.
4. 4-H members exhibiting a 4-H project in the fair are to bring their completed and judged (by a 4-H volunteer leader) 4-H project book with them to be
exhibited with their 4-H project.
5. The Pennsylvania 4-H Code of Conduct will be followed by the Venango County Fair, Inc.
For more information on any 4-H rules or regulations, contact the Extension Office, 867 Mercer Rd, Franklin, PA, phone 814-437-7607, Monday-Friday, 8:
30 am to 4:30 pm.
PA 4-H CODE OF CONDUCT
4-H members participating in or attending club, county, regional, district, state and national programs, activities, events, shows and contests sponsored for
youth by the 4-H Youth Development program of Penn State Cooperative Extension are required to conduct themselves according to the Pennsylvania 4-H
Code of Conduct. The code operates in conjunction with the Pennsylvania 4-H Youth Development Program Behavioral Expectations and rules and
regulations of the specific activity.
Adults attending or participating in 4-H Youth activities are expected to:
1. Conduct themselves according to the code.
2. Assist and support youth in their efforts to adhere to the code.
The following are not permitted at 4-H sponsored programs, activities or events.
Possession, consumption or distribution of alcohol
Possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs
Possession or use of all tobacco products
Sexual Activity
Sexual Harassment
Boys in girls' rooms and girls in boys' rooms or lodging areas
Cheating or misrepresenting project work
Theft, destruction, or abuse of property
Violation of established curfew
Unauthorized absence from program site
Physical, verbal, emotional or mental abuse of another person
Possession or use of a weapon (This does not refer to the equipment used in authorized shooting sports practice or competition.)
Possession or use of a harmful object with the intent to hurt or intimidate others
Public display of affection is not appropriate.
Other conduct determined to be inappropriate for a youth development program by the event chair, designated Penn State Extension Educator or
staff member or 4-H volunteer leader.
If the code is violated, the following steps may be taken:
The adult chaperone for the youth involved in the violation (Extension Educator or 4-H leader) will be made aware of the situation.
The parent(s) may be called and arrangements made for transportation home at parent's expense.
The 4-H'er(s) may be barred from participating in 4-H
When a violation occurs at a competitive event, 4-H'er(s) may be disqualified from the contest and be ineligible for any awards. Competition in later
contests may also be barred. Determination will be made by event chair, a designated Pennsylvania Extension Educator, Faculty, Staff member or 4-H
volunteer leader. Disqualification of an individual may impact participation of an entire team.
When warranted (i.e., violation of Pennsylvania Laws) the situation may be referred to the police.
All chaperones are responsible for all youth at an event.