Clackamas County 4-H Newsletter

It is already August and almost time for Fair! Thank you to all of our 4-H volunteers and families that have been helping youth prepare for Fair this year. We can't wait to see you all soon!

If you are NOT bringing any of your entries to Fair please let us know, especially the animal entries. Due to the large number of entries, we want to make sure we are prepared for all animals and HEARTH entries. Please email Jessica Inman about any entries you are no longer planning to bring.

The Extension Office is moving this month! We will be closed to the public from August 14-23 while the county moves our furniture and boxes. Please be patient as we unpack and return to regular service. The new office space is across the field from our current office. We are still using the Annex building and most meetings will continue to be held there.

HELP NEEDED: We can use helpers from 1-2 hours each day from now until August 13 to pack boxes and help us sort items. Reach out to us if you have time to spare! Contact Kelly

FIND US: Mapping apps will bring you to our new address, 1021 Courthouse Rd, Oregon City, but the building may have a different name. Parking is general - use any available space.

MORE TO COME: Our plans for a new, modern office and education center are moving ahead! We expect to break ground on the new building this fall. It will be shared with and located at Clackamas Community College. Completion will be in spring of 2028.

Free bracelets and t-shirts will be given to all 4-Hers who are exhibiting at County Fair and those who participated in Dog Fair or Horse Fair. These bracelets allow members free admission to the Fair. Bracelets can be picked up outside the 4-H Exhibit building:

• Saturday, August 15 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Monday, August 17 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

All 4-H bracelets must be placed on the arm of the 4-H exhibitor. That means that the 4-H member has to show up in person to receive a bracelet. Bracelets for 4-H members will NOT be given to leaders or parents.

4-H members MUST be wearing the 4-H bracelet to gain admission through any gate to the Fairgrounds. Those not wearing bracelets may be charged the regular admission price, which the 4-H office cannot refund. If a member does not have their bracelet, they should go to the Will Call window.

Broken bracelet policy

$1 Replacement cost for the first time if the broken bracelet is turned in.

$10 Replacement cost for each additional bracelet if the broken bracelet is turned in.

$25 For any replacement when the broken bracelet is not turned in.

4-H Leader And Parent Discounted Season Passes

Reduced Price Adult Season passes will be available to 4-H leaders and parents at the fairgrounds Will Call office on Saturday, August 15 (9:00 am - 5:00 pm) and Monday, August 17 (8:00 am - 8:00 pm). Special 4-H Discounted Season admission is $25 per pass with a maximum of two passes per family available.

Rodeo Presale for 4-H

4-H and FFA members may purchase $3 reserved seating admission to the rodeo (for Tuesday and Wednesday rodeo events). Seats are assigned at the time of purchase. Youth MUST have their bracelet on to qualify for the discounted ticket. Purchase is BY PRESALE ONLY on Saturday, August 15 and Monday, August 17 at the fairgrounds Will Call office.

4-H Superintendents are here for you! Do you have questions about Fair? Can you volunteer a few hours to help with the many needs before or during the Fair? Contact your Fair Superintendents.

The Clackamas County Junior Livestock Auction offers youth the opportunity to learn how to raise and prepare high-quality food animals for market. 4-H members in good standing may enter market classes, which are judged according to auction standards. The auction is organized by an independent committee that establishes its own rules and schedule.

Be sure to regularly check the Clackamas County Junior Livestock Auction website for important details, including weigh-ins, tagging, rules, animal age requirements, and weight guidelines.

Final Fair Weigh-in

Swine: Sunday 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

All livestock (except swine): Monday 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Small Animals: Monday 10:00 am-noon or 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Release forms for auctioning animals are due by 10:00 am Wednesday to the auction trailer.

Please note: The Auction Committee may allow members to weigh in and tag more animals than can ultimately be entered and housed at the Fair.

Our Fair days are packed with activities! Look at the fair schedules when you make decisions about which classes to enter and when to schedule contests. You will find links to schedules on our Fair webpage.

• Master County Fair Schedule: The front of the Fairbook has a comprehensive schedule for all County Fair events, including set up, judging, fun classes, awards, and move out.
• Livestock ring schedules: A chart of when each livestock project area will show during Fair week.
• Small Animal schedules: A chart of when each small animal project area will show during fair week.

🗓️State Fair: August 26 - September 7, 2026

📍Location: Oregon State Fairgrounds, Salem, Oregon

Mark your calendars now for these 4-H events:

🗓️Horse: August 26 - 30

🗓️Rabbit: August 29

🗓️Poultry: August 31

🗓️Dog: August 31 - September 1

🗓️Cats & Herptiles: September 4

County Team Required Meetings

Livestock - Friday, August 21, 9:00 am State Fair Exhibitor meeting – Ely Barn

Small Animal - Friday, August 21, 2:00 pm State Fair Exhibitor meeting – Small Animal Tent

Horse - July 23 - Contact Wendy if you need to cancel your entries

Dog - Contact Jan if you need to cancel your entries

Statewide Orientation for Animal Science Exhibitors

Thursday, August 13, 6:30-8:00 pm on Zoom

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/4h/events/state-fair-orientation-participants

All exhibitors are encouraged to join this session for information about move in, admission, schedule, and animal housing.

Livestock Barn Set-Up Day 📆 Saturday, August 8

This is the day we get the barn pens set up for Fair

Livestock Club Pen Decoration Set-up Day 📆 Saturday, August 15

Some pens will need to be painted, so come prepared!

* Each animal must receive a health check before it may be unloaded. Health checks will be conducted by the Fairgrounds-appointed veterinarian, veterinary technician, or Livestock Superintendent. All animals must be in the barns no later than 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17.

Swine Move-in 📆 Sunday, August 16

8:00 am-7:00 pm -Move in

6:00-9:00 pm – Swine Market weigh-in

Moving In 📆 Monday, August 17

Regular move-in: 8:00 am-8:00 pm: All animals (except Swine and Pygmy Goats)

Pygmy Goat move-in: 4:00 pm-8:00 pm

Market animal (except Swine) weigh-in: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Livestock Exhibitor Orientation 📆 Tuesday, August 18

8:00 am Rosebrook Showring

Moving Out 📆 Sunday, August 23

Time will be announced at Orientation on Tuesday – all animals must be out and stalls cleared by noon.

Livestock Ring Schedule

All animals must enter the fairgrounds through the “Livestock Gate” which is off 10th Street. Animals must have health check before they can be unloaded.

Fill out market animal health forms and bring them on move-in day to give to the Superintendent/Auction Committee at weigh-in.

• Beef Health Form
• Meat Goat Health Form
• Sheep Health Form
• Swine Health Form

• Herdsmanship: Information and expectations
• Master Showmanship Question Bank: Questions that may be used in 2026
• Master Showmanship Guide: Information and rules for the contest
• Livestock Resources
• Service Award: What it is and form to submit

In light of the recently released information on the confirmed case of scrapie in the United States, this is a reminder that the scrapie tag is not an option; it is a law.

Every sheep or goat that leaves your farm for any reason must have a scrapie tag or tattoo issued to your farm by the USDA. If your sheep or gaot shows up to the fair with no tag, it will be sent home! There is no wiggle room and if you need help getting this accomplished, please reach out, and Lacey Allen will be happy to help you. Scrapie info is available on the USDA web page if you need more information.

The following are the fun contests offered at Fair 2026. Please see the description of each class.

Check with your Superintendent for information and help to sign up to participate.

• Goat Costume Contest – A Goat Costume contest will be held on Friday, August 21st , 12:00 pm . Any goat exhibitor may compete. Both exhibitor and goat should be in costume. Awards will be given
• Swine Costume Contest - All 4-H swine members are encouraged to participate. Juniors, Intermediates, and Seniors will be combined into one class. Friday, August 21st , 12:00 pm 4-H members and animals are judged on originality and difficulty in training the animal to accept and exhibit a costume. Both exhibitors and animals can be in costume.
• All Species Obstacle Course will be held on Saturday, August 22nd , at 12:00 pm . Goats will compete first followed by other species. Swine are not encouraged to participate.

📆 Wednesday August 12

🕛 Noon- 6:00 pm

Join us at the 4-H Hall...

• Purchase photo mat and get help mounting your photos for Fair.
• Pick you explanation cards for all of your HEARTH exhibits.
• Superintendents will be there to answer your questions!

Photo mat sets are available at same low price as last year.

$5 for each set, 5 sets for $20, backing boards for art or creative writing are $3. Both available in 8x10 for 5x7 photo or 11x14 for 8x10 photo. Hangers are included in sets, 25 cents each if purchased separately.

Available for purchase in the Exhibit Hall:

Saturday, August 8 in the morning

Wednesday, August 12 noon-6:00 pm

Saturday, August 15 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

We strongly encourage youth to get exhibits mounted and matted at least 48 hours before judging day.

Explanations and labels required on all static exhibits.

Review the Exhibitor’s Handbook for the explanation card and labeling requirements for your project. Explanation cards (printable and fillable) and sample score sheets are available on the online, at the Extension office and at the check-in prep station on entry day:

• Communications
• Expressive Arts
• Family & Consumer Science
• Horticulture
• Natural Science
• STEM and Industrial Arts

All exhibits must have an attached Explanation Card filled out completely by the exhibitor. Exhibit tags for the items you entered will be attached by the judge or clerk on judging day (August 15 & 17) during the interview.

Last week you received an email from Jan Williams with a link to sign up for your judging time. Please sign up or email Jessica if you plan to scratch.

Static Exhibits:

Judging days are August 15 and August 17, depending on your project area. Sign up for your judging time as soon as possible!

NEW – Exhibit tags will not be given out before judging! Beginning this year, pre-printed exhibit tags will be attached during interview judging. Members will still fill out their Explanation cards and label their exhibits in advance.

Live Contests:

Live contests will take place during Fair and some will require you to sign up for a judging time. So check your email and sign up today.

Here is the full schedule of events.

Taking home Your Static Exhibits:

Sunday, August 23: ALL members, especially ALL Cloverbuds come to the 4-H Hall to pick up fair exhibits from 10:00 am - noon.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up to help during Fair! We are still looking for more volunteers. Contact Mel Jeffrey for more information.

High Priority:

Saturday, August 15: We need one more clerk and one lunch helper.

Monday, August 17: Need two clerks, one morning check-in helper, and one lunch helper.

Medium Priority:

Exhibit Hall Tear Down: Sunday, August 23, 9:00 am - Noon

Lower Priority:

Hall Hosts throughout fair

Assist with Project return in Annex following State Fair.

HEARTH Special Awards are available in most project areas and relate to the specific interests or intent of the donor. These awards are listed separately in the specific project information in the Fairbook and may help a member focus their exhibit to be more competitive for a certain award.

HEARTH exhibitors are also eligible to apply for the Special Project Master Awards. These awards require an application due by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 (during Fair). Recipients of each award will be recognized for work done in their project area during Fair and throughout the year.

📆 Friday August 7

🕒 3:00 pm- 8:00 pm

Help us deconstruct and set up pens for Fair!

If you can bring tools to help, we suggest bringing needle nose pliers, cage tools, battery powered saw or screw guns.

Small Animal Barn Set-Up Day 📆 Saturday August 15

This is the day we get the barn ready for Fair. Bring cleaning gloves and a sponge if you have them.

Moving In 📆 Monday August 17

Market weigh-in: 10:00 am - Noon and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

OR

Regular move-in: 10:00 am - Noon and 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Small Animal Exhibitor Orientation 📆 Tuesday August 18

8:00 am Outside Rabbit/Poultry Barns

Moving Out 📆 Sunday August 23

10:00 am- noon Small animals are released after barn clean up.

Small Animal Barn Schedule

• You can park in the blue lot on 4th Ave and enter the fairgrounds through the blue gate.
• Line up with your animal on either the poultry or rabbit side of the small animal barn to check in. Animals must have health check when they arrive.
• Market weigh-in will only take place 10:00 am - Noon and 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

Remember that ALL animals need unique ID BEFORE they are entered in the County Fair. This includes Cloverbud projects. Demonstrations of how to tag, band, and tattoo are available on YouTube. The unique ID can include one or more letters, numbers, or colors. When you enter fair, you will need to list the animal’s ID for each class.

All 4-H members must complete at least one herdsmanship shift in order to receive their ribbons and premiums. Member duties include feeding and watering animals, greeting the public, and (if there is time) bringing out an animal for the public to meet. We also need adults to supervise the barn area during each shift. Adult duties including keeping members on task, greeting the public, and watching for security concerns. Sign ups are online:

• Rabbit and Cavy Member Herdsmanship
• Rabbit and Cavy Barn Adult Volunteer
• Poultry and Pigeon Member Herdsmanship
• Poultry and Pigeon Barn Adult Volunteer

You can still sign up for some of the fun contests when you check in at Fair. More details are provided in Prepare for Fair.

• Small Animal Photo Contest
• Small Animal Talent Show Tuesday at 4:00 pm
• Small Animal Costume Contest Tuesday at 3:00 pm
• Poultry and Pigeon Meet the Breed Tuesday at 2:30 pm and Thursday at 4:00 pm
• Rabbit and Cavy Meet the Breed Wednesday at 4:00 pm and Saturday at 2:30 pm
• Rabbit Agility Wednesday at 1:00 pm
• Cavy Agility Friday at 1:30 pm
• Carrot Eating Contest Wednesday, 3:00 pm
• Poultry Melon Eating Contest Thursday at 12:00 noon and Friday at 12:00 noon
• Chicken Race Thursday at 3:00 pm and Saturday at 2:00 pm
• Pigeon Demonstration Thursday at 2:00 pm

Static Exhibits and Live Contests:

Judging days for static exhibits are August 15 and August 17 and Live contests will take place during Fair. An email was sent out last week to sign up for judging times. If you haven't sign up yet, check your email and sign up today.

Pick up Static Exhibits:

Plan to pick up your static exhibits Sunday, August 23 from 10:00 am-noon.

📆 Saturday August 22

9:00 am Check-in

10:00 am Show Begins

Cloverbuds small animals will be transported to Fair on Saturday and then will be brought home the same day.

We have received confirmation from ODA that we will not have to test any animals prior to Fair this year. Previously this additional testing was required for all water fowl and lactating dairy cattle. We appreciate the time families take to follow animal ID process because that is still an ODA requirement. More information on biosecurity can be found at the ODA website.

Do not hesitate to call or email our office at 503-655-8635 or clackamas4h@oregonstate.edu. We will respond during business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Do you still have questions about Fair? We bet you do… We have created a new web page to list Frequently Asked Questions about fair. If you still have a question, reach out to us at our shared email: clackamas4h@oregonstate.edu.