Fair Newsletter

Pennington County Extension

101 Main Ave N

Thief River Falls, MN 56701

218-683-7030

Abbey Rodelius, 4-H Extension Educator – linst031@umn.edu

Cindi Kilen, Office Manager – kile0017@umn.edu

Amy Halvorson, Summer Coordinator - ajhalvor@umn.edu

Ellie Pantzke , Summer Intern - pantz010@crk.umn.edu

The Pennington County Fair is one of the highlights of the 4‑H year — a chance for youth to showcase their learning, skills, and hard work. Your county fair experience should be a fun and enjoyable learning experience… If you set your goal to learn new skills and knowledge, you will always be a winner.

Before diving into fair schedules, judging details, and livestock requirements, we want to help families — especially new ones — feel confident navigating the 2026 Premium Book.

• Lists every project area youth can enter
• Explains what each project requires
• Shares rules, expectations, and deadlines
• Provides schedules and fair‑week logistics

Families often don’t know this — but the Google Doc is designed to make things easier.

Use the Search Bar (Ctrl+F or Command+F)

Type in:

• “Photography”

• “Sheep”

• “Cloverbud”

• “Judging schedule”

• “Poster size”

This instantly takes you to the section you need.

• Register in FairEntry (pennington-mn.fairentry.com) to exhibit your 4-H projects at the fair and judging showcases

• Registration window is open May 28 - June 15. The deadline to register online is 11:59 pm June 15, 2026

Perfect for families who haven’t finished entries or want a second look!

Tuesday, June 9 at 5:00–7:00 PM
Thief River Falls Public Library

Share on Facebook! Link here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1LRwH67W5D/

• General & Livestock Exhibits: Must be entered in FairEntry by June 15, 2026. “All entry registrations must be submitted before June 15, 2026.”

• Number of Exhibits: Up to 2 exhibits per class.

• Late Entries: Eligible only for blue ribbons; not eligible for State Fair or State Show trips.

• General Exhibits: Judged Tuesday, July 15

• Livestock Entry Day: Thursday, July 16, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. in the barns.

• All exhibits released Sunday, July 19 after 5 p.m.

• Premium checks available the following week; please cash by August 31, 2026.

Youth ages 12+ are needed for:

• General project judging (July 15)

• Livestock shows (July 16–19)

Durning general judging, volunteers are needed to help stage the exhibit area.

• Staging Time: During general exhibit judging.
• SignUpGenius Link: http://z.umn.edu/penningtoncountystaging

Clubs may bring banners directly to general project judging on July 15. They will be hung at the fair.

2025 included club assignments — here are placeholders for 2026:

Set‑Up on Monday, July 13 –

• Set-up/cleaning of exhibit area and food stand will begin at 10 a.m. – 2 adults, 2 4-H’ers are needed from Happy Acres, Highlanding, Kratka, and Satellite clubs. Please bring buckets and rags.

Clean‑Up on Monday, July 20 –

• Tear down/clean up of the exhibit area and food stand will begin at 10 a.m. 2 adults and 2 4-H’ers are needed from Steiner, Sanders, and Silverton clubs.

Independent members will need sign up for either set up or clean up.

We’re hiring!

Pennington County 4‑H is looking for a daytime Food Stand Manager for our 4‑H Food Stand during the Pennington County Fair this summer!

If you enjoy working with youth and adults, have some food‑service experience, and love the energy of fair week, this could be a great fit. Most hours will be during fair week (July 13–19), with prep and wrap‑up time before and after.

Pay: $15.25–$21.00/hour (based on experience)

Location: Pennington County Fairgrounds

Role: Oversee daily kitchen operations, support youth workers, help with food safety, ordering, opening/closing, and keeping things running smoothly.

If you or someone you know might be interested, please complete both steps below:

Application: https://z.umn.edu/AppSummerFoodService

Questionnaire: https://z.umn.edu/YDfoodservicescreen

Questions? Reach out to Abbey at 218‑683‑7030 or linst031@umn.edu.

The food stand is the only fundraiser for Pennington County 4‑H.

“All 4‑H members are expected to volunteer for a shift in the food stand.”

• Each family must:

  • Work one shift
  • Bring two 9‑inch pies (fruit or cream; must be baked)

Wednesday, July 16: 5 :00 - 10:00 p.m.

4:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 17: 11:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.

10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3 – 6 p.m.

6 – Close

Friday, July 18: 11:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.

10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3 – 6 p.m.

6 – Close

Saturday, July 19: 11:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.

10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3 – 6 p.m.

6 – Close

Sunday, July 20: 11:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.

10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3 – 6 p.m.

6 – Close

“You will have the chance to tell the judge about yourself and your exhibit… You will be awarded a ribbon based 50% on the exhibit itself and 50% on your knowledge.”

• Why you chose the exhibit

• Steps you took

• What you learned

• What you would change next time

2026 club schedule:

• 2:30–4:30 p.m.:
• Independent Members
• Kratka
• Steiner
• 4:30–5:00 p.m.:
• Break for Judges
• 5–6:30 p.m.:
• Happy Acres
• Highlanding
• Sanders
• Satellite
• Silverton

• Blue, Red, White ribbons

• Grand & Reserve Champion (not guaranteed in every class)

• Community Impact Awards (sticker only; no premium)

• Cloverbuds receive Cloverbud ribbons

• Be ready to explain your goals and learning

• Practice good sportsmanship

• Ask questions to learn more “Conference judging is a learning experience… the conversation helps you share the rest.”

Allowed only with prior approval through Minnesota 4‑H policy.

• General Exhibit Champions photographed Sunday, July 20 at 4:15 p.m.

• The Times will photograph winners immediately after the 4‑H Program.

Livestock are judged differently than general exhibits: “Judges will be looking mainly at the animal… The quality of the animal should be a reflection of your care and training.”

Showmanship evaluates:

• How well you handle the animal

• Your knowledge of care, anatomy, and management

• All livestock must meet Minnesota Board of Animal Health rules.
• “Health papers, vaccinations, and identification must be presented at check‑in.”
• Species requirements include:
• Cattle, Swine, Goats, Sheep: Vet exam on entry day; animals with warts or ringworm must be removed.
• Horses: Coggins test on file; helmets required for all mounted activities.
• Dogs: Valid DHL‑Rabies‑Parvo vaccination certificate.
• Poultry: Must come from pullorum‑clean flocks or have negative test documentation.
• Rabbits, Waterfowl, Pigeons: No certificates required.

• Animal/sibling assignments must be finalized at check‑in.

• Premise IDs required for swine and sheep.

Youth may ask another enrolled 4‑H member to help show, but the exhibitor must be present.

Judged individually or by family; evaluations placed in folders in the cattle barn.

• Saturday, July 18 at 4 p.m.

• Families must complete the Google Form to enter. “This form will serve as the official method of entry.”

• https://z.umn.edu/PenningtonCounty4HBlueRibbonAuctionEntryForm

Livestock Quality Assurance training helps youth provide excellent care for their animals and ensure a high level of food safety to consumers. We designed it to enhance the educational experience of 4-H animal science projects.

Do you hope to exhibit with 4-H at the Minnesota State Fair? All 4-H livestock exhibitors must complete livestock quality assurance training.

Two training options

Youth who complete either one of these training options will receive a certificate of completion.

• A three-hour in-person workshop (LQAE) including ethics. Valid for three years.
• Youth for the quality care of animals (YQCA) - A one-hour online training. Valid for one year.

Read the full Minnesota 4-H Livestock Quality Assurance Policy.

To view your completed LQA certifications, use the LQA status in 4-H Online tip sheet.

August 27 – September 7, 2026 (Labor Day)

• Livestock: Aug 26–30

• General: Sept 1–3

• General: Sunday, July 20 at 4:45 p.m.

• Livestock: Monday, August 4 at 6 p.m.

• Must have completed 6th grade

• Exhibitor must accompany their project

• Not all champions receive trips

• Must accept or decline by 12 p.m. Sunday of the county fair

• Must notify staff by noon Sunday of the county fair which projects you are taking
• State Fair forms due Wednesday, July 23 at 4:30 p.m.
• Horse & Dog Show forms also due July 23

• Program fees covered by profits from the food stand

• Meal tickets: $10 each

• Lodging: $28 per night

• Scholarships available

Livestock Quotas:

• Beef - 2

• Dairy - 3

• Dairy Goat - 1

• Horse – TBD

• Meat Goat - 1

• Poultry – 4

• Pigeon & Dove - 1

• Rabbit - 3

• Market Rabbit - 1

• Sheep - 1

• Swine – 1

• Market Gilt - 1
• Llama & Alpaca - 1
• Science of Animals - 1
• Livestock Demo - 1 with a live animal, unlimited to borrow an animal

Interchangeability Rules:

As in the past, there will be "interchangeability" between beef and dairy, sheep and swine (not market gilts), rabbits and poultry (not pigeons), and dairy goat and meat goat. Interchangeability is limited to one trip for meat goat/dairy goat and sheep/swine.

• Beef ↔ Dairy

• Sheep ↔ Swine (not market gilts)

• Rabbits ↔ Poultry (not pigeons)

• Dairy Goat ↔ Meat Goat (limited to one trip total)

2026 General Project Quotas:

• Aerospace - 1
• Banners - 2
• Bicycle - 1
• Child & Family Development - 1
• Citizenship - 1
• Clothing & Textiles - 5
• Community Pride - 2
• Consumer Education & Money Management - 1
• Crafts & Fine Arts - 6
• Creative Writing - 2
• Engineering Design - Unlimited
• Exploring Animals - 5
• Fashion Revue - 5
• Fishing Sports - 1
• Food Preservation - 2
• Foods & Nutrition - 6
• Food Revue - 2
• Global Connections - 1
• Health & Wellness - 1
• Home Environment - 1
• Horticulture - 6
• Industrial Technology - 1
• Mechanical Science - 5
• Natural Resources - 10
• Needle Arts - 1
• Performing Arts - 2
• Pets - 1
• Photography - 2
• Plant Science - 6
• Quilting - 1
• Public Presentations - Unlimited
• Safety - 1
• Science Inquiry - 5
• Self-Determined - 1
• Shooting Sports - 5
• Technology - 4
• Vegetable, Fruit & Herb Gardening - 5
• Veterinary Science - 1
• Video/Filmmaking - 1
• Wildlife Biology & Management - 5
• Youth Leadership - 1

State Horse Show Quotas:

• Horse (games & pleasure) - 5
• Horse Training - 1
• Horse Related - 1

• All qualifiers must schedule a 15‑minute 1‑on‑1 meeting to complete paperwork.
• https://z.umn.edu/StateFairPaperwork1on1
• Both the adult and the youth are required to sign the paperwork.
• https://z.umn.edu/StateFairPaperworkChecklist

As your family gets ready for fair season, remember you never have to navigate the Premium Book alone. If something doesn’t make sense, if you’re unsure where to look, or if you just want to double‑check that you’re on the right track, please reach out! We’re always happy to help, and no question is too small. We’re excited to support you every step of the way.