Fair Information : July 15-23, 2023

2023 Fair Theme: Rooted In 4-H 

Big Sky Country State Fair Schedule and Information

• 2023 Full 4-H Fair Schedule
• 2023 4-H/FFA Livestock Events Schedule
• Fairgrounds Map

Fair Registration

• 2023 Fairbook Exhibitor Guide

  • Fair Exhibitior Guide includes rules and examples of items to enter into fair.
• Need help making sure you are ready for Fair?  Follow our Are You Ready For Fair Checklist
• Register for Fair by Friday, June 16, 2023 by 5pm
  
  • When you are ready to register for fair, use our online ShoWorks fair platform: 2023 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 for this year’s fair.
    • Exhibitor registration fees must be paid by June 28^th 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 28, 2023 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)

Example Record Book and Record Book Video    

• 2023 Livestock/Small Animal Record Book Rubric 
• 2023 Horse Record Book Rubric
• 2023 Indoor Record Book Rubric
• Project Interview Scoring Rubric             

2. Interview in each Department you are entering. 

• Livestock/Small Animal (Dog included) and Horse Project Interviews:
  • Thursday, July 13, 2023 4pm-8pm 
  • Friday, July 14, 2023  4pm-8pm
• Indoor Project Interviews & Exhibit Judging:
  • Monday, July 17, 2023 9am-5pm

3. **NEW** 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 = 72) and the Project Interview score (max points = 48) will be totaled together for a Composite Score (max points = 120).
  • Members with a Composite Score of 90 or above (75% or ‘C+ grade level’) 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.

Indoor Project & Exhibit Interview SignUp

Community Members to be Fair Record Book Interview Judges

If you are interested in being a 4-H Project interview judge, please contact us at our office! (406) 582-3280 or [email protected] 

Interview Judge Letter 2023

Fair Admission

4-H Youth Exhibitor Wristbands & 4-H Adult Week Passes

• Now available at the Extension Office and will continue to be sold through July 14^th.
• 4-H Prices are listed below:(cash or check ONLY)

1. 4-H Youth (exhibiting at fair) Wristband = FREE (youth exhibitors will receive a green 4-H wristband to wear during fair week)
2. 4-H Adult Week-Passes = $20
3. Additional Youth (not exhibiting at fair) Wristband = $10
4. Day-Passes & Carnival Wristbands are available through the Fairgrounds Website Link: Gallatin County Fairgrounds Tickets (etix.com)

**Please note: The above 4-H tickets and wristbands are intended for 4-H members and immediate 4-H family members that will be at fair for the entire week. We are only allotted a certain number of 4-H passes each year, and we want to ensure all 4-H members and immediate family members are able to receive those. We encourage your friends and extended family (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, etc.) that come to support you during fair week to purchase Day-Pass tickets through the Fairgrounds Gallatin County Fairgrounds Tickets (etix.com).

4-H Cafe & Concessions

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. Please check out the sign up in the link below. 

Booth Display Contest for Clubs and Individuals

2023 Fair Theme: Rooted In 4-H 

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

• Sunday, July 16 between 12pm-5pm
• Tuesday, July 18 between 8am-12pm

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. 

Silent Auction for Indoor Projects

If you would like to sell an indoor project, please make sure you inform staff when you interview for your indoor project(s).

• Members can enter up to two exhibits into the Silent Auction. 
• The Silent Auction bidding will run from Wednesday, July 19th starting at 11am through Sunday, July 23rd ending at 5pm.
  • • • • •  

Family Event Saturday evening

Join us Saturday, July 22nd from 6pm to 8pm at the Livestock Show Tent for a night of fun!