4-H Blast
June 11th, 2026
Pre-Fair Entries: Due July 3rd
Each York County 4-H Member planning on exhibiting items at the 2026 York County Fair will need to fill out a pre-fair entry form. These forms are due to the Extension Office by 5 pm Friday, July 3rd.
Please list ANY and ALL items you are considering to bring to the fair as exhibits (you can find the online Fairbook HERE). You are not held to bringing all of your pre-entry items, but you will not be able to exhibit something you did not mark down. Items will be entered, and tags printed, within the following couple of weeks. Watch the Blast and Social media to see when they are ready for pick-up.
Clover Kids do NOT need to write down all items being brought. You will need to mark down any Fair contest you would like to participate in, capture down "yes" or "no" if you are brining static items, and - if you would like your name in livestock programs - please capture those events down, too. Clover Kids showing livestock/small animals will need to fill out one of those corresponding forms, too.
WHAT IS PRE-ENTRY?
Fair pre-entry is submitting information about any exhibits and contests you may do before the fair begins. This year, there are hard copy forms in the Extension office, along with fillable PDF forms below.
There are separate forms for static entries (4-H), Large Animal Livestock (Beef, Sheep, Goats, Dairy, Swine), Small Animal (Dogs, Cats, Companion Animals, Chickens, Rabbits), and Clover Kids.
WHY DO WE USE THE PRE-ENTRY METHOD?
The pre-entry method is used for several reasons.
- First, exhibitors do not need to fill out tags for the fair; the entry tags are generated by extension staff using the pre-entry forms. The tags can be picked up prior to the entry day if you choose. This allows you to secure the tags to your exhibits before arriving at the fairgrounds on entry day.
- It also allows staff to strategize, allocate enough space for each department, and ensure enough judges are hired.
- The pre-entry process allows volunteers and staff to use modern technology to aid in the entry and awarding process.
Below you will find the fillable PDF forms. They work best using a computer - we cannot guarantee they work using a phone.
All forms are to be submitted to the Extension office - or emailed to Macee (macee.parrish@unl.edu) - by July 3rd at 5 pm!
Want to make sure that you are staying up-to-date on all of the key, important dates during the 4-H year? Join our SportsYou group(s) to make sure you never miss a thing. We use these groups to share only important information you will need to know, like upcoming pre-fair entry information, workshop details, and more. You can join whatever groups meet your personalized 4-H journey. Please reach out to the Extension Office with any questions!
Please note: ID contests and Culinary contest are NOT on the same day.
Bucket Calf Record Books Due July 21st!
Do you know how to pick the best produce from the grocery store?
Consider participating in the Online Horticulture Identification Contest. This event will be available online for youth to participate in between June 9th-23rd. There are three parts to this contest:
1. Identify plants by common name from a plant list.
2. Knowledge quiz in the form of true/false or a multiple choice quiz.
3. Judging or placing vegetables or containers of flowers based on condition, quality, uniformity, true-to-type, and size.
To learn more, you can find details at Online Horticulture Judging Contest | Nebraska 4-H | Nebraska
15 - County/State Fair Animal ID/DNA & YQCA Deadline
15 - 4-H Enrollment Deadline (to participate at County or State Fair)
16-17 - State Public Speaking Contest
19 - Extension Office Closed for Juneteenth
Week of June 23rd - Plaster Track Workshop
23, 24, & 26th - Maker Space Workshop
30 - Door Mat Workshop
2 - Clover Kid Camp
3 - COUNTY FAIR PRE-ENTRY DEADLINE
3 - SUMMER SCHOLARSHIPS DUE
3 - Extension Office closed for 4th of July
14-16 - Sourdough Workshop
22 - Pie Making Workshop
23 - Horticulture, Weed, Grass, & Insect ID
24 - Culinary Challenge
31 - 4-H Clothing & Quilt Judging
2 - Archery Contest
4 - 4-H Static Exhibit Judging
5 - 4-H Food Check-In
5 - Companion Animal Show
5 - Judging of Ag Hall
6 - Sheep & Goat Show
6 - Poultry Show
6 - Dairy Show
7 - Bucket Calf & Beef Show
7 - Rabbit Show
8 - Swine Show
8 - Small Animal Round Robin
8 - Livestock Judging
9 - Large Animal Round Robin
9 - Project Pick-up
21 - State Fair Static Exhibits Due to the Office by 5 pm
26 - State Fair perishable/flower exhibits due to the office by 8 am
Virtual Opportunities
UNL Extension - York County
Jenny Rees - jrees2@unl.edu
Amanda Hackenkamp - amanda.hackenkamp@unl.edu
Macee Parrish - macee.parrish@unl.edu
Laurie Linabery - llinabery2@unl.edu
Email: york-county@unl.edu
Website: https://york.unl.edu
Location: 2345 North Nebraska Avenue, York, NE, USA
Phone: (402) 362-5508
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unlextensionyork/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @yorkneextension