Important Information for your 2024 Rabbit/Cavy Projects! 

 

READ YOUR RULES and know important dates and times.  Contact a committee member if you have any questions.

                                      

Important dates: 

--  April 21:   Educational clinic Art Hall at fairgrounds Sun 1-3                                                                          (Mandatory for 1st & 2nd year members)

--   May 25:  Possession date. Must have your rabbit or cavy in your possession

--   June 1:   Roasters must be in your possession. Check in/tag day. Bring to Rabbit and Cavy barn to check in

--   July 20:  Pre-registration and Tattoo/tag clinic.

                     9-11am in Rabbit Barn. Bring entry forms to complete. Help with online entries

-- July 26:    On-Line Fair Entries are due 

                     NO late entries will be accepted.   

 -- August 17: Rabbit and Cavy Skillathon and Showmanship     Sign in starts at 8:30am

Skillathon runs 9-12. Showmanship starts at 9:00am and will last until all participants are judged. This will be held in the new arena at the fairgrounds. Intermediate and Seniors start at  9:00am. Must use a rabbit you have entered on your fair entry form. Know your tattoo number.

       ****Turn in poster for poster contest. 

       -- August 26: Stark Co Fair Check In from 12pm-8PM. Must check in with the Jr. Fair Show Secretary, in the Rabbit Barn, for coop assignment.  DO NOT FORGET TO turn in your Market Project Poster!

     --   August 27:     Open Rabbit show 9AM

     --   August 27:    4-H Meat pen, fryer and roaster show 3PM (maybe earlier)

     --   August 28:    4-H Rabbit show 9 AM

                                4-H Meat pen, fryer, and Roaster Auction    6:00PM

                                Open Cavy show 9 AM

    --    August:29:    4-H Cavy show 9 AM

    --    August 30:    Rabbit Barn Scavenger Hunt       Rabbit Barn   9am-8pm

    --    August 31:    Rabbit and Cavy Costume Contest   3:00PM in front of Poultry Barn

Thank you cards for meat pens, fryers, and roasters must be turned in by 4:00pm

Thank you notes for those winning Awards are due to the Rabbit Committee and will be turned into the Junior Fair by the committee once all are received.

-- Sept 2:  Check out 6-8PM. Must check out with Jr. Fair show secretary.   CLEAN OUT                            PENS

                          NO early departures

-- Sept 4:   Barn Clean-up/Tear down    5:00 PM until done   ***Jr fair help is needed***

                WEB PAGE:       www.starkcountyjrfair4h.com        

• Pre-Registration and Tattoo/Tag Clinic:

*This clinic is where the committee assists the exhibitors in filling out their entry forms. Be sure to BRING YOUR ENTRY FORM WITH YOU. Committee members will check the tattoo/tag number, variety, breed, sex, and age of your animal. If you do not go to the pre-registration clinic, and there is a problem with your entry, you will not be able to exhibit at the fair. There is an opportunity at the clinic for your animals to get tattooed or tagged for free.  After this date a fee of $5 will be assessed to tattoo/tag your animals.

** Roaster check in clinic is the 1st Sat. of June. Bring animals and receipt of purchased if you bought them.

** They will be registered for the roaster class and tattooed if the tattoo is needed

 

 Showmanship and Skill-a-thon:  (PLEASE READ!!)

Skill-a-thon:  Consists of various stations that will test your knowledge on rabbits and/or cavies.  Stations are timed and you will be judged on how well you know the information related to your project.  Awards for First Year, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior age divisions for rabbits will be given.  Awards for Junior, Intermediate, and Senior age divisions in cavies will be given. Overall Skill-a-thon Champion award will be given for both rabbits and cavies.

Showmanship: Judged one on one on how well you handle your animal, on your knowledge, and overall presentation.  The judge is not examining your rabbit but rather judging you. You will be judged one member at a time with the judge 

Your showmanship rabbit or cavy must be one that you are showing at the fair in 4-H.  

For rabbits, senior and intermediates start the showmanship competition, followed by first year and junior.  For cavies, the seniors are judged first followed by the intermediates and then the juniors. Champion of Champions in each specie will follow the completion of the regular classes.  Awards are given at the conclusion of all age divisions.  Showmanship is mandatory for first and second year participants and highly suggested for all other age divisions because it will enhance your knowledge about your animal and project.  Showmanship may take all day so be prepared to stay as long as needed.  Bring chairs and a lunch if you desire.

 Poster Contest

Theme is “Any topic found in the rabbit resource book or cavy resource handbook”.   Illustrate and explain what you have learned. Explain in a way so the public will learn about your selected specie or species. This contest is open to any rabbit or cavy participant. Turn in your poster at skill-a-thon and showmanship judging. Use a standard size poster. Awards will be given in the following age divisions: 8-11 yrs, 12-14 yrs, 15 and up.  Posters will be displayed in the rabbit and cavy barn during the fair. Put your name and age division on the back of your poster. Awards will be; $10 first place and $5 for second place in each age division rabbits and cavy.

              Costume Contest

Will be held Saturday afternoon at 3:00PM. Watch website for rules and categories. Prizes will beawarded. Both rabbit and cavy members can participate. Sign up in the rabbit barn at the 

                            4-H desk.  Example categories—Best Look Alike, Prettiest, Most Original, Funniest.

                            There will be an Overall Costume Contest Winner selected. Will be held in outside poultry tent. 

          Rabbit/Cavy Scavenger Hunt

          Will be held on Friday during the fair from 9am-8pm. Stop at the 4-H desk and pick up your Scavenger hunt item list. Search around the rabbit barn to find the items or correct answers for the list. Turn in the sheet at the 4-H desk when you have completed it. 

          This is a fun way to learn some rabbit and cavy knowledge. Open to all youth.

        --    Pen Assignment

Pens in the rabbit and cavy barn are assigned.  Be sure to check in with the junior fair show secretary in the Rabbit Barn to get your pen assignment.  Pen assignments are sometimes available the weekend before the fair when the barn is open for decorating.

• Decorations 

Decorations are allowed and encouraged in the rabbit and cavy barn for the Barn Stall Decoration Contest.  Check with the Junior Fair Rabbit and Cavy Committee to see where you are permitted to decorate for your club.

• Coop Set-up

Pine shavings will be provided (Thanks to TSC) for your use in your animals’ pen.  You may choose to bring your own bedding as well. You will need to bring cleaning utensils from home to clean your animals’ pen daily.  A wheelbarrow is provided for your use.  Bring your own food and water bowls and any other objects that will make your animal feel more at home. Make sure your bowls will not flip over easily.

• Food and Water 

You must provide your own food for your animals. City water is provided at the fairgrounds (sometimes rabbits will get sick because they are not use to city water). For this reason, you may wish to bring your own water from home on a daily basis. Bring bowls that are the proper size for your animals, especially your meat pens and single fryers!  

ALL animals must have water at all times!!

 

Care of Your Animal While at the Fair 

• It is your responsibility to take care of your animals daily while at the fair.  If you are unable to take care of your animal on a particular day, you must arrange for someone else to do so.
• You must keep your animals’ clean while at the fair.  You will need your own cleaning utensils. The waste from your animals’ pen may be thrown in a wheelbarrow (not in a trash can) and hauled to the manure pit across from the steer barn.  Return the wheelbarrow to the rabbit and cavy barn when finished with it.  Cleaning the animals’ pen is the job of the youth- not the parents.
• Once you clean your animal’s pen you ask a committee member to check the pen. 
• PEN CLEANING MUST BE DONE DAILY. Pens are checked and if found dirty a committee member WILL place a note on your pen to see a committee member. You will forfeit your premiums if pens are not kept clean. 
• Herdsman awards will be passed out this year for those who do a good job keeping their animals’ pens clean during the fair.

 

  Rabbit and Cavy Barn Care 

• Please keep the aisles in the barn clean.  There are brooms located throughout the barn so be sure to  sweep the barn when it is not too busy.
• There are designated areas where you will be able to store your rabbit and cavy materials. Check at the 4-H desk for a location
• Remember, IF YOU DON’T OWN IT, DON’T TOUCH IT (ESPECIALLY THE RABBITS AND CAVY)
• There is NO running or screaming in the barn under any circumstances.

• Rabbits need to remain inside the barn.

   

Day of 4-H Show  

• All are encouraged to attend and show your own animals and assist in carrying other animals to the show table for the exhibitors who cannot make it.  If you cannot come and show your animals, don’t worry, your animal will still be put on the show table.
• School excuse forms are available from the Jr Fair Coordinator.  These forms allow the exhibitor to have an excused absence from school so they can show their animals. Check with your school to see if they accept these forms (most schools do).

- Meat Pens and Single Fryers     NEW REQUIREMENT   ****MARKET PROJECT POSTER**** 

 -Meat pen and single fryer animals must be raised by the junior fair exhibitor. You must have the doe (mother) in your possession by May 25th. You do not have to have the buck (father) in your possession so this allows you to get a rabbit breeder to breed your doe for you.  

****Meat pen and single fryer babies need to be checked by a committee member within two weeks of the kindling date.  Call a committee member as soon as possible after the babies are born to schedule a date and time for the babies to be checked.**** Committee members’ phone numbers are located in the rules packet.

- If you take a meat pen or fryer project, you need to have your picture taken with your animals during the fair. Picture time will be posted on the committees’ bulletin board or you can ask a committee member.

- You must write thank you notes to your meat pen or fryer buyers. They need to be addressed, stamped, and turned in by Saturday at 4:00pm.

- Contact as many buyers as possible. The more people you have bidding on your animals, the more profit you will make. It is also suggested to have a gift for your buyer.

 

      -Roaster Class (Purchased or Homegrown)         *****NEW CLASS*****      *** NEW REQUIREMENTS*** 

• Roasters may be purchased or home grown. They need to be born after March 1, 2024. Under 6 months of age. Minimum weight over 5 ½ lbs. Maximum weight 9 lbs.
• Must be in your possession by 1st Sat in June. Must bring them to the fairgrounds, rabbit and cavy barn to be checked in and registered. They will be tattooed at this clinic if they are not already tattooed.
• Purchased animals must show receipt of purchase with date. **See RULES for More requirements**

          - If you take a roaster project, you need to have your picture taken with your animals during the fair. Picture time will be posted on the committees’ bulletin board or you can ask a committee member.

- You must write thank you notes to roaster buyers. They need to be addressed, stamped, and turned in by Saturday at 4:00pm.

- Contact as many buyers as possible. The more people you have bidding on your animals, the more profit you will make. It is also suggested to have a gift for your buyer.

All Market rabbit projects require members to turn in a poster about marketing your meat animals. Turn in to the committee they day of check in of your rabbits at the fair.

Awards 

• Ribbons and remark cards may be picked up at the 4-H desk starting on Friday.
• Ribbons and remark cards should not be displayed on your rabbit or cavy pens. Sometimes the animals like to chew on them or people passing through the barn will take them. It is best if you take your awards home to enjoy.
• You must write a thank you note to your trophy sponsor if you are lucky enough to win one. Thank you notes must be addressed, stamped, and turned into the Junior Fair Rabbit and Cavy committee by 4:00pm on the Saturday during the fair.  Pick up your thank you notes at the 4-H Rabbit desk so you can fill them out. That way you will be done and be free to have fun at the fair. Stamps will be available to purchase.

- Exhibitor Pass 

 Jr Fair. Exhibitor passes/wrist band will cost $6.00 this year. You will receive them from your 4-H club advisor. You need this pass/wrist band to enter the fair each day. Lost passes will be replaced by talking with the Junior Fair Coordinator. This wrist band also allows you to enter exhibits in the Art Hall and Grange building (This may have changed).

Open Class

You may show your animals twice while at the fair. You may do this by entering open class. The open class animals are housed on the other side of the barn. You may enter your 4-H rabbits in open class in addition to other rabbits that you are not showing in 4-H. The rabbits housed in the open side may be shown and sold. The Stark County Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association is in charge of the open side and takes out a 10% commission if you sell your animals. 

• Open class is a separate entry. In order to compete in open class you need to have an exhibitor pass which cost $25.00 (these may be purchased from the senior fair office). The entry fee is $2.00 per rabbit/cavy.
• Deadline to enter in open class is traditionally the 2nd Saturday of August (check fair catalog for exact date).
• Entries are to be turned into the Sr. Fairboard Office or to the Stark County Rabbit and Cavy Club Show Secretary (address in fair book).

      --    Remember to pick up your Open Rabbit premium packet before you leave the fairgrounds on Monday.

                    (This year it might be sent to you instead of being picked up Monday. Check with Open Desk)

 

Premium Vouchers

Premium vouchers are a gift from the Sr. Fairboard to the exhibitor for bringing their animal to the fair.  Voucher money must be picked up by noon on Monday in the SC Fair Treasurer’s office. They will not be mailed to you. If not picked up you will forfeit the money.        

 Selling Your Animals

 You may sell your 4-H animals after the 4-H show if you wish. You must register to sell your animal at the

4-H desk in the sales book. The Jr. Fair Rabbit and Cavy Committee will take out a 10% commission.

 

• Check Out
• Monday at 6PM. You must check out with the Jr. Fair Rabbit and Cavy Committee. If you fail to do this, you will       not be able to exhibit next year. 
• Absolutely NO EARLY DEPARTURES. If there is an emergency and you need to check out your animals early, you must seek permission from the Sr. Fairboard.
• The Jr. Fair Rabbit and Cavy Committee will not be responsible for any animal left in the barn after 8PM Monday.

 

 ****Remember to thank those who have helped you with your animal projects.  Without these people, your project may not have been successful*****

                                                       

        Feel free to ask any questions you may have. Remember, the only dumb question is the question not asked! 

                                        We are willing and devoted to helping in any way possible.                                                                                                       

 

 Trophy Sponsors are still needed.  Your name and/or business will be advertised if you sponsor a trophy.   

                                                  $50 Grand Champion Awards ------ $30 All other sizes                                                   

 

 

* GOOD LUCK AT THE FAIR AND REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN * 

              MAKE MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME