Static Judging Info/Schedule 2026

510 N Pearl Street, Suite C | Wayne, NE 68787-1939

402-375-3310 | FAX: 402-375-0102

E-mail: wayne-county@unl.edu

Website: http://wayne.unl.edu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtWayneCounty

Exhibits will be entered and judged in the Wayne Expo Building. A green Horticulture/Floriculture entry form was included with entry information. Please bring the completed form (be sure to list the cultivar (variety) name) to check-in July 22. Entry tags will be printed for you at that time. Allow time for entry tags to be printed before you go to interview judge.

Please refer to the publication Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibit (https://go.unl.edu/veg_herbs_fruit) when preparing your horticulture exhibits. Please see Letter G under Vegetables, Herbs, & Fruits in the Fair Book for the number of each to exhibit. If a whole plant with roots attached is the recommended exhibit, 3 leaves in a clear container with water will be accepted (NO Plastic Containers).Those exhibiting flowers & houseplants should refer to the publication, Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibit (https://go.unl.edu/cutflowers). Copies are available online and at the Extension Office.

Please bring your projects (except animals) to the Expo Building on Wednesday, July 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. No pre-entry is required. Entry tags will be available at check in. All Clover Kids’ projects will be evaluated, and receive a participation ribbon. Projects will remain on display during the fair and will be released at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 26.

4-Hers who are not able to interview judge are required to enter them in the morning (7:30-8:30 a.m.). If a family has both interviewing and non-interviewing family members, all exhibits can be brought during the interview judging time frame to save multiple trips to the Fairgrounds. Check in your entry and take it to the respective department. Be sure to have your supporting information attached, if required. Please check the Fair Book to see what is needed for your exhibit.

Interview judging allows for a better learning experience. We recommend all 4-Hers interview judge projects, but it is not required. A parent or leader may sit with the 4-Her during the interview and listen only. Bring your projects with you at the scheduled interview time.

• Home Design and Restoration Area and Foods: We ask that you limit items you interview to three. You can pick which three items you want to interview. Be sure to check in at the check-in area to receive your entry tags before you go to interview judge.
• Interview judging will conclude at 1:30 p.m. Please realize this is an approximate time schedule. Expect to wait in line at the judging areas.
• 4-Hers will interview in these time blocks according to last name.
• A thru K will interview judge 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Noon Break 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
• L thru Z will interview judge 12:00 Noon - 1:30 p.m.

• The judge will help the 4-Her feel at ease by greeting him/her warmly and conversing in a friendly manner
• "I'm glad you're here. Won't you sit down so we can look at it together?"
• "I really like your selection of..." (color, fabric, wood finish, display, etc.).
• "Is this your first time to interview judge in...?"
• "If you have any questions while we look over your exhibit, please just ask."
• The judge will encourage the 4-Her to talk about his/her project
• "Why did you select this exhibit/project?"
• "What did you expect to learn in this project?"
• "Did you enjoy making this exhibit?"
• "What was the most fun about making this exhibit?"
• "Where did you have the most problems?"
• "If you had a chance to do this over again, what would you do differently?"
• "What new things did you learn doing this project?"
• The judge will help the 4-Her discover what could be done to improve the exhibit. The judge shares what could be improved
• "How do you feel your exhibit could be improved?"
• "Did your project turn out as you had planned?"
• "Why did you choose to use this technique?"
• "Might there be another way to do this?"
• "You will want to check in your 4-H manual for tips on how to do this differently."
• "This wood finish is very sticky, to improve this you might..."
• "You've done a good job here, but you might improve this area by..."

If you have extra food that you have made for fair, check out the open class section of the fair book. You can enter your foods in open class too!

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United States Department of Agriculture. The 4-H Youth Development program abides with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture. ©2026