Everything you need to know in preparation for the Big Sky Country State Fair

Save the Dates: 4-H/FFA Fair Events will be July 12-21, 2024

*Fair information is uploaded and updated April-June for the current year

Big Sky Country State Fair 4-H/FFA Events Schedule and Information

Registering for Fair

2024 4-H/FFA Exhibitor Fairbook

  • The 4-H/FFA Exhibitor Fairbook (linked above) contains ALL the exhibitor rules, divisions and classes you can enter, and the schedules for the 2024 4-H/FFA Fair. This document is CRUCIAL to navigating the next few months. You MUST utilize the Fairbook when registering your exhibits and animal projects to ensure you register correctly!
  • Need help making sure you are ready for Fair? Follow our Are You Ready For Fair Checklist (DRAFT)
  • 4-H/FFA Fair Registration will OPEN on Monday, May 20th at 5pm
  • 4-H/FFA Fair Registration CLOSES on Monday,June 17, 2024 at 5pm - ABSOLUTELY NO ENTRIES 
    ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE! NO EXCEPTIONS!!
    • When you are ready to register for fair, use our online ShoWorks fair platform: 2024 Fair Registration Website
      • Click the red “Sign In” button, then select either Exhibitor (for one kid) or Quick Group (for families with multiple youth) from the drop-down menu.
      • **Everyone will create a new account.
      • Exhibitor registration fees must be paid by June 26th by 5pm (via card online through ShoWorks or we accept card/cash/check at the Extension Office)

Requirements to Enter into Fair

1: Turn In Completed Record Books to Office

DUE: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 by 5pm

  • My 4-H- One per youth, per year.
  • Non-Animal Project Journal - if you are bringing a non-animal project to fair.
  • Animal Project Journal - if you are bringing an animal project to fair.
  • Project Workbook- Most all 4-H projects have a curriculum book issued through 4- H Office. (7 activities required each year)

2. Interview in each Department you are entering. 

  • Livestock/Small Animal (Dog/Cat included) and Horse Project Interviews:
    • Thursday, July 11, 2024 4pm-8pm in Exhibit Building #4
    • Friday, July 12, 2024  4pm-8pm in Exhibit Building #4
      • Livestock & Small Animal Interview SignUp (link coming soon)
      • Dog/Cat Project Interview SignUp (link coming soon)
      • Horse Project Interview Up SignUp (link coming soon)
  • Indoor Project Interviews & Exhibit Judging:
    • Monday, July 15, 2024 9am-3pm in Exhibit Building #3
    • Indoor Project & Exhibit Interview SignUp (link coming soon)

3. Record Book & Interview Scoring Process

  • Record Books: Upon turn-in of your Record Books, Project & Club leaders will sign, review and score your records based on completeness, content and project standards utilizing a record book rubric. This will be your Record Book score. 
  • Interviews: During the Project Interviews prior to Fair, a judge will evaluate members on their interview skills (eye contact, confidence, attire, ability to answer questions), their 4-H Year experience and project knowledge utilizing an interview rubric. This will be your Project Interview score. 
  • Composite Score: The Record Book score (max points = 82) and the Project Interview score (max points = 48) will be totaled together for a Composite Score (max points = 130).
    • Members with a Composite Score of 105 points (80% or higher) will get nominated to be considered for a Project Award. Those nominated will be asked to re-turn in their completed Record Books in September for final review. Project Awards are presented at the end-of-year Awards Banquet.

4-H Seeking Community Members to be Project Interview Judges

Fair Admission

Discounted 4-H Youth Exhibitor Wristbands & 4-H Adult Week Passes - Available at the Extension Office and will continue to be sold through July 12th.

4-H Prices are listed below:(cash or check ONLY)

  • 4-H Youth (exhibiting at fair) Week Wristbands = FREE (youth exhibitors will receive a green 4-H wristband to wear during fair week)
  • 4-H Adult Week Wristbands = $20 each (immediate 4-H family members that will be at fair for the entire week will receive a green 4-H wristband to wear during fair week)
  • Additional Youth (not exhibiting at fair) Week Wristband = $10 each

4-H wristband

  • Day-Passes for friends and extended family (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, etc.) that come to support you during fair and Carnival Wristbands will be available for separate purchase through the Fairgrounds Website: Gallatin County Fairgrounds Tickets (etix.com)

Fairgrounds Parking

The Fairgrounds is very limited on parking during Fair, so please be mindful of the following policies:

2024 Policies:

  • ALL exhibitors and spectators will need to park in the free general public lots, Tamarack (Gate A) and Oak St (Gate B). Both can be used to come in for shows, loading in supplies and such. The Tamarack Lot (Gate A) will be the one opening at 7am for early morning access and closer proximity to the showrings.
  • ALL 4-H/FFA families will receive a FREE "Fast Pass" drop-off pass (1 pass per exhibitor family) for use at West Oak (Gate C) when needed. This pass allows drive-in access to the livestock barns (i.e. to drop off supplies, feed, etc).  These passes only allow up to 2-hour parking/access to those areas until 10am when the gates close and the Fair opens to the public at 11am each day. Vehicles that are not moved out of the gated area by 10am will be towed. 

4-H drop off pass

  • ONLY 4-H/FFA families with reserved RV camping spots:

    • Will receive two parking passes per RV space rented. These passes will need to be filled out completely and left with each vehicle it is “registered” to. Once camping spots are assigned and closed, RV families may pick up RV parking passes from the Fairgrounds office starting June 15th and final pick-up day for passes will be July 1st. Vehicles without these passes will be towed. 
    • Will be permitted to move onto the Fairgrounds beginning on Saturday, July 13th. All RVs must be in place by no later than Monday, July 15th at 6pm/ RVs will be allowed to leave the grounds at any time starting Sunday, July 21st with attention to livestock transport trailers and load-out schedules.

Booth Display Contest for Clubs and Individuals

2024 Fair Theme: "THIS is 4-H Country"

2024 fair logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Booth Display set-up times (Exhibit Building #3):

  • Monday, July 15 (12:00pm - 5:00pm) and/or Tuesday, July 16 (8:00am - 12:00pm)

Divisions include:
1 - Best use of fair theme/4-H promotion by a club or project group
2 - Best use of fair theme/4-H promotion by an individual

4-H Promotion Booth & Educational Events

Please take a moment during fair to sit at our promotional booth in Exhibit Building #3. This booth is decorated to match our 4-H theme and has handouts and information to share with youth that are not currently enrolled in 4-H. SignUp for a shift here: 2024 4-H Promotional Booth (link coming soon)

4-H Cafe Concessions Stand

Each 4-H youth is asked to help out in a very important way to help 4-H at the concession booth during fair. The money earned from the concessions is a large part of helping youth and volunteersattend events, fund projects and much more!  Your couple of hours is so helpful to making 4-H successful. SignUp for a shift here: 2024 4-H Cafe Concessions (link coming soon)

Old Fashioned 4-H Concessions

 

Market Livestock Auction Information - Friday, July 19, 2024

*The 2024 Market Sale will be a live, in-person ONLY sale. There will NOT be an online component. 

4-H/FFA Market Sale Buyer Information Website

2024 Livestock Auction Schedule:

  • 2:00pm – 6:00pm 4-H/FFA & Market Sale Buyers Check-In (Red Sale Pavilion)
  • 3:00pm – 6:00pm 4-H/FFA Market Sale Buyers BBQ Served (Small Animal Tent).
    • 4-H families, to ensure there is enough food for our buyers, please plan to wait until 5pm to help yourself to the BBQ.
  • 3:45pm 4-H Foundation Scholarship Winners Announced (AgWest Tent)
  • 4:00pm – approx. 12:00am 4-H & FFA Livestock Market Sale (AgWest Tent)

Marketing Information and Resources:

  • 2024 Save the Date - COMING SOON
  • Buyer Invitation - COMING SOON
  • Market Sale Buyers Guide (use Legal paper and printdouble sided on short edge and fold into trifold) - link coming soon 
  • Proxy Buyer Form (Docusign) - link coming soon 
  • Proxy Buyer Form (printable) - link coming soon 
  • Add On Pledge Form (Google Form) - link coming soon 
  • Add On Form (printable) - link coming soon 

Silent Auction for Indoor Projects

If 4-H indoor project members would like to sell their indoor exhibit, exhibitors must declare their selected projects by Tuesday, July 16th at 1:00pm in the Indoor Exhibit Building.

  • Members can enter up to THREE exhibits into the Silent Auction. Items must have been judged and awarded a ribbon to qualify. 
  • The Silent Auction bidding will run from Wednesday of Fair Week starting at 11am through Sunday of Fair Week ending at 5pm in the Indoor Exhibit Building. 

4-H/FFA Dance Saturday Evening

Join our 4-H Camp Counselors & Teen Leaders on Saturday, July 20th from 6pm to 10pm at the Livestock Show Tent for a night of fun and dancing! Gallatin 4-H Camp Counselors will be leading swing dance and line dance lessons before a free dance for all youth 4-H members!

 

2023 Big Sky Country State Fair Recap

Thank you to ALL of the Buyers that contributed to our 2023 Market Sale last year. We have remarkable 4-H 
youth who take pride in their projects. To see them rewarded for their work continually inspires us to create even more opportunities for them to learn and grow. Thank you for all that you do to ensure that our program has the resources to be strong & successful into the future. As a Market Livestock Committee, we want you to 
know how much we appreciate your outstanding support of our Gallatin County 4-H & FFA kids!

Market Livestock TAB 2023

Click HERE to look inside the 2023 Thank You Tab!