Hello! The news below was printed and shared in each Club’s Pre-Fair Check In Packet but we wanted to make sure it was posted where all could find it.
One piece of news, that was not in the orginal announcements posted below is the decision made to cancel the 2023 Speciality Goat Show scheduled for Sunday, July 9th. This was a tough decision but based on the EXTREMELY low exhibition registrations, the decision was made to cancel for 2023. We will be looking at options for 2024.
2023 Lawrence County Fair Announcements
The Lawrence County Fair will begin on Saturday, July 8th and go through Saturday, July 15th. This is an exciting time for our 4-H and FFA members and families.
We hope each of our members are working hard to complete their projects and preparing them for exhibition. This is very important time to ensure you are checking out the 4-H Guidebook & the Livestock Exhibition Rules; these two documents help you to be aware of expectations, rules, and set you up for success.
Attached you will find the Lawrence County 4-H & FFA Fair Schedule with lots planned! Please note, we will now be utilizing the old food booth building for events originally planned for the 4-H Breezeway.
To kick off our week, we will be having a 4-H Horse Show on Friday, July 7th at 6:00pm at LCHA.
Saturday, July 8th:
- Our Beef, Sheep, Goats, Chickens, & Rabbits are required to be on the grounds between 8:00 – 10:00am for weigh in. All beef breeding, beef feeders, sheep breeding projects being housed on the grounds for the duration of the week must also report for check-in during this time. DUNF Form links will be provided the morning of – please be sure to complete while you wait in line to weigh in.
- We will also be hosting our Livestock Skillathon from 1:00 – 5:00pm inside the old 4-H Food Booth Building next to the grandstands. All market livestock exhibitors must complete skillathon to be eligible to show and sale. Bonus points will be given for completed project book.
- 4-H Club Beautification Projects – please note if your club is working on a club booth, a welcome display around the grounds, a flower pot, trash can, picnic table you can find the guidelines for judging inside the guidebook. These should be set up from 2:00 – 8:00pm on Saturday or 9:00 – 12:00pm on Sunday. Deadline to check in your club projects in Sunday at noon. Please note – it is your responsibility to care for any live plants during this time and also your responsibility to remove your displays by Saturday, July 15th at 10:00pm.
Sunday, July 9th
- Market Hogs must be on the grounds between 8:00 – 10:00am to be weighed in on Sunday. DUNF Form links will be provided the morning of – please be sure to complete while you wait in line to weigh in. Hogs will not be slap tattooed at time of weigh in, instead those consigned to the livestock sale will be slap tattooed by livestock committee members on Friday, immediately following drop slip load out.
- The 4-H Walking parade is scheduled for line up at 12:30pm to begin at 1:00pm. Please be sure our office has received your club script absolutely no later than noon on Sunday, to ensure we can share it as you walk in front of the grandstands.
- Shooting Sports Project Judging – please note, the slight time change, 700 level projects (especially archery) please report for judging at 3:30pm. Safe Use of Guns and Basic Archery – please continue to report at the 4:00pm scheduled time.
Sunday – Thursday Livestock Exhibition & Show Announcements
- Again, be sure you are checking out the rules, check out the dress code, and plan to report to your shows at least 30 minutes prior to the start. In each of our market shows, the classes are placed top to bottom. Then, for the final drive to name our champions and top 10 placings; we pull all first places into the ring to name the champion. Once Grand Champion is selected we pull 2nd place into the ring from that class, to name reserve, and we continue until a full top 10 placings is selected. So, please be sure to stay for the duration of your shows.
- Also, it is expected livestock exhibitors:
- Provide clean, fresh water at least twice a day
- Feed your animals twice a day
- Keep your pen and aisle way clean. Always keeping the barn cleaner than you found it!
- Ensure your animal is happy and healthy
- Conduct yourself according to the 4-H Code of Conduct
- Be kind and helpful to others
- The barns will close at midnight, there are no generators allowed, and all aisle ways must be clear of fans, corn hole boards, etc. at all times.
Wednesday – Thursday 4-H Project Judging Announcements
- All 4-H members planning to be judged should have reserved your time slot for project judging. But have no fear, if you forgot – you may still show up at project judging, however you will be worked around those that have an interview scheduled. Call our office to get added to the interview schedule.
- Check out our guide book for project judging expectations.
- Members will check in at the tent outside of the 4-H Expo Center the day of judging.
- Any 1st place member whose project is eligible for State Fair, must register for State Fair by the Friday, 3:00pm, July 14th if they are interested in going. After Friday at 3:00pm, state fair eligible projects will be open to any Top 3 exhibitor to sign up!
Thursday, July 13th
- A couple fun announcements:
- 11:00 – 2:00pm – rides will be open for 4-H members and pizza will be served. Members must have their arm bands on and their food ticket!
- 2:00 – 5:00pm – Ohio 4-H is bringing the mobile design bus for our members to explore! This will take place of the 4-H Experience It Project Exploration listed on the schedule at the 4-H Shelter. Instead, come check out the Mobile Design Bus for STEM activities near the large animal barn.
- Spice of Life 4-H Livestock Costume Contest, Thursday, July 13th at 5:30pm: 4-H Livestock Members – grab your 4-H & FFA livestock animal being exhibited at the junior fair & dress up for a costume contest! Spice of Life will be awarding the Top 3 Overall with cash prizes! Come join in on the fun – all species are welcome!
- Lawrence County Farm Bureau will be sponsoring the Pee Wee Showmanship at 4:00pm. They are asking those interested in participating be signed up by 1:00pm on Wednesday. Visit the large animal barn announcement board for signups!
- Immediately following the Old Timer Show, will be a barn dance and games, Producers Inc. has sponsored the event and we are excited to add some fun entertainment for our youth!
Friday, July 14th
- Senior & Junior Showman of Showmen is scheduled for Friday morning. Junior and Senior Overall Showman winners for each market division are invited to participate. Guidelines can be found in the livestock rules.
- Our 4-H Project Silent Auction is scheduled for 1:00 – 2:30pm. All first place life skills projects, who have something handmade, created by the exhibitor, are welcome to put the item in the auction. Auction items must be in place by 12:30pm at the 4-H Expo Center.
- All members and volunteers are invited to the showcase at 3:00pm. Scholarship Winners, Style Show, Overall Winners, Skillathon Awards, Volunteer Recognition, and Senior Salute will happen during this time! We are asking each club to donate two dozen cookies to share at this event!
Saturday, July 15th
- Our livestock sale is scheduled for 10:00am. Sale order is goats, hogs, steers, lambs, rabbits, chickens. All animals will sale in the large animal barn. Please have yourself and nimal presentable following the Junior Fair dress code. Also, please remember – exhibitors may only take one animal through the sale ring. All animals going through the sale ring are terminal. Exhibitors do have the option to drop their animal from the sale for private treaty or to take home. But all animals going through the sale ring are terminal. Please see the fair schedule for drop slip deadlines. Also, we encourage members to place Thank you signs above their stalls; first year members – welcome buyers and returning members thanking their 2022 buyers. If you need a list of your buyers, please contact our office! Reminder, checks will not be mailed until after buyers have paid and no earlier than August 4th!
This is lots of friendly reminders, where most can be found in already existing information, but where can you find this information and other important announcements throughout the week:
- Download the 4-H Now App. Then search Lawrence 4-H. Its so easy to navigate and find the information you are looking for!
- Visit our website at lawrence.osu.edu or our blog at u.osu.edu/lawrence4H
- Check us out on facebook, @lawrence4H
- Check your email. The email you provided in 4-HOnline.
Need something during Fair Week:
- Stop by the office during the fair – we are located on the fairgrounds under the grandstand the week of the fair; beginning July 7th.
- Call us at 740-533-4322, our skype phones will be on and we can receive your call from our cell phones. Please be sure to leave a message. Or E-mail us at 171@osu.edu or Matney.30@osu.edu – these will be checked periodically.
We look forward to a great week with our 4-H families, volunteers, and members! It’s always one of my most favorite weeks and I hope it is for you too!
Thank you all for everything each of you do – members, parents, volunteers, and supporters all help to make fair week successful and it couldn’t be done without you! Please remember this can be a stressful time for many, everyone is busy trying to make it the best week for so many. Let’s be sure to show each other a little grace and kindness & remember this is about making the memories, the friendships that will last a lifetime, and the life skills to build our youth and the future of 4-H, Lawrence County, and beyond!