Ohio State Fair

2025 Hartford Fair Entry Information

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All Hartford Fair entries must be completed through the FairEntry portal again this year. The portal will open on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Please follow the Hartford Fair Entry Instructions when making your entries. Entry deadline is Friday, June 27, 2025.

Please note:

  • The Hartford Fair Entry Portal can be found by visiting: http://hartfordfair.fairentry.com
  • Please be sure to review the Hartford Fair Premium Book to ensure you know which Classes and Lots you will be making entries for before you start that process.
  • All 4-H families must use their 4-HOnline Credentials (email and password) to log into FairEntry. If a member creates a new account in FairEntry, they will be unable to make entries in Junior Fair Departments as those departments require them to be enrolled in the appropriate 4-H project in order to make entries.
  • All FFA members making entries in livestock departments will submit their own entries. Those entering projects in the FFA Building will do so through their advisor.
  • Please make sure that you add all entries to each exhibitor in your family before you submit the entries and continue to the payment portal.
  • REMINDER: All youth planning to participate in Showmanship MUST make an entry for their Showmanship class. Even if a member isn’t sure about whether they want to do Showmanship or not, they should go ahead and make an entry for it.

Photo IDs

NEW THIS YEAR: Members will upload their photo for their Fair ID as part of their entry process in FairEntry. There will be a question early in the process that will ask you to upload a photo. PLEASE NOTE: the system does NOT require you to upload the photo (which means you can accidentally skip this step). We had to make it optional, otherwise it would require it for everyone making entries, including those making just Open Department entries who don’t receive Fair IDs. If you skip this step and do not upload a photo, you will not have a Fair ID. Also, photos for IDs must be uploaded into FairEntry by the deadline of June 27th. All photos will be pulled from the entries at this point and sent for printing so that we have the IDs back to us in time to pass them out in the days leading up to fair. Late photos will not be accepted.

Your photo for your Fair ID must be either a jpeg or png file. The photo should be of the member’s head and shoulders with a light colored, neutral background. Exhibitors should not be wearing hats, sunglasses or bandanas in their photo. Please see examples of photos that don’t meet the criteria and one that does:

Glitches and Issues

As we’ve discovered recently, FairEntry does occasionally have glitches that can occur. If you run into issues please reach out to Adrienne at anderson.1410@osu.edu. Sending screenshots of the error you are receiving can be very helpful in figuring out what is going wrong. Please do NOT wait until the last minute to complete your entries as that gives us less time to help you solve the issue. PLEASE NOTE: Lisa and Adrienne will be at 4-H Camp June 17-21 at 4-H Camp Ohio. Please realize that we have limited access to emails during this time and will not be able to respond quickly in most cases.

FairEntry Help Sessions

We will be offering three help sessions for those who may want/need help with making entries. Two help sessions will be held at the Hartford Fairgrounds in the Junior Fair Board Office and one will be held at the Licking County Extension Office in Newark. If you plan to come to one of the help sessions, please be prepared with list of items on the flyer HERE or listed below.

LAST CHANCE: Annual EquiSTEP Program Required for All Horse Project Members

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Horse Project Members…

The 2025 EquiSTEP program is now up and running! Please remember that all Licking County 4-H Horse project members must complete the online training by no later than June 1st in order to show in county state 4-H equine shows. Full instructions can be found HERE. Please remember that each member must log in with a unique email address. You cannot use the same email address for multiple youth completing EquiSTEP.

Complete the EquiSTEP program here: https://go.osu.edu/EquiSTEP2025

LAST CHANCE: Licking County and Hartford Fair Quality Assurance Training DUE JUNE 1!

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Hartford Fair Junior Fair Livestock Exhibitors! This is your reminder that you must complete a Quality Assurance Training by June 1st. If you have not met this requirement, please make sure you have plans to complete this requirement before midnight on June 1st or you will no longer be eligible to show in any junior fair livestock classes at either the Hartford Fair or the Ohio State Fair. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE!

  • If the 4-H member has DROPPED THE PROJECT, please just let us know and we will remove it from their enrollment record – and that will take them off the list to attend a QA training.
  • If you ALREADY COMPLETED A TRAINING, and our records are incorrect, please reach out to Lisa so that we can make that correction. Simply provide details regarding the training date / location that you attended, and we will work to verify that attendance.
  • If you STILL NEED TO ATTEND a Livestock Quality Assurance training, you have TWO OPTIONS:
    • OPTION #1 – Attend Quality Assurance training being held in another county… Delaware County will offer trainings May 20th, May 28th and May 29th. There are additional counties that will also be offering trainings in the upcoming days, but you will need to seek those out yourself. You are responsible for reaching out to their respective Extension Offices in order to verify time, location, etc.
    • Option #2 – YQCA National Training ($12 per person). You must follow the instructions posted online at https://yqcaprogram.org, complete payment, and then they will grant you access to the training modules and exam. If you would appreciate step-by-step instructions, please know that you can find those on our website HERE. This training can be completed any time of day, until June 1st at 11:59 p.m.  Once complete, please forward a copy of your certificate to mccutcheon.46@osu.edu. Please note that it is critical that you forward a copy of your certificate of completion, as we not be notified in any other way that you have completed the training.  A Piece of Advice: The training and exam must be completed prior to 11:59 p.m. on June 1st, not just be underway. When your training is complete, your certificate is date and time – stamped in the system… Please don’t wait until the last minute to attempt this training – it takes approximately an hour to complete the training, and the payment process takes time in advance of you being granted access to start the training (sometimes as much as 24 hours).

Please be sure that you have a plan in place for completing this requirement and that you communicate with us once it has been completed.

2025 Livestock Requirements Summary

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Please remember that the The 2025 Livestock Requirements Summary is available HERE. The has all of the dates, requirements, and guidelines for livestock projects and is a useful resource.

Licking County and Hartford Fair Quality Assurance Training DUE JUNE 1!

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Hartford Fair Junior Fair Livestock Exhibitors! This is your reminder that you must complete a Quality Assurance Training by June 1st. If you have not met this requirement, please make sure you have plans to complete this requirement before midnight on June 1st or you will no longer be eligible to show in any junior fair livestock classes at either the Hartford Fair or the Ohio State Fair. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE!

  • If the 4-H member has DROPPED THE PROJECT, please just let us know and we will remove it from their enrollment record – and that will take them off the list to attend a QA training.
  • If you ALREADY COMPLETED A TRAINING, and our records are incorrect, please reach out to Lisa so that we can make that correction. Simply provide details regarding the training date / location that you attended, and we will work to verify that attendance.
  • If you STILL NEED TO ATTEND a Livestock Quality Assurance training, you have TWO OPTIONS:
    • OPTION #1 – Attend Quality Assurance training being held in another county… Delaware County will offer trainings May 20th, May 28th and May 29th. There are additional counties that will also be offering trainings in the upcoming days, but you will need to seek those out yourself. You are responsible for reaching out to their respective Extension Offices in order to verify time, location, etc.
    • Option #2 – YQCA National Training ($12 per person). You must follow the instructions posted online at https://yqcaprogram.org, complete payment, and then they will grant you access to the training modules and exam. If you would appreciate step-by-step instructions, please know that you can find those on our website HERE. This training can be completed any time of day, until June 1st at 11:59 p.m.  Once complete, please forward a copy of your certificate to mccutcheon.46@osu.edu. Please note that it is critical that you forward a copy of your certificate of completion, as we not be notified in any other way that you have completed the training.  A Piece of Advice: The training and exam must be completed prior to 11:59 p.m. on June 1st, not just be underway. When your training is complete, your certificate is date and time – stamped in the system… Please don’t wait until the last minute to attempt this training – it takes approximately an hour to complete the training, and the payment process takes time in advance of you being granted access to start the training (sometimes as much as 24 hours).

Please be sure that you have a plan in place for completing this requirement and that you communicate with us once it has been completed.

REMINDER: Ohio State Fair Dog Show Entries Due

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Entries for the Ohio State Fair Dog Show close May 21 at 1:00 pm. There are no late entries.

The 2025 Ohio State Fair Dog Show JUNE 16-18 is open for entries. Please go to the Ohio State Fair website to enter the dog show: https://www.ohiostatefair.com/…/livestock-competitions

The 2025 Ohio State Fair Agility Trial JULY 23 is open for entries.Please follow this link to enter the agility trial: https://go.osu.edu/2025osfagility

FINAL 2025 Quality Assurance Training

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Our FINAL Hartford Fair Livestock Quality Assurance (QA) Training for 2025 will take place next week! Any junior fair exhibitor that plans to show livestock at either the Hartford Fair or Ohio State Fair MUST complete an approved QA training by June 1, 2025 in order to be eligible to show in 2025. Please review the Junior Fair Livestock Quality Assurance Guidelines for all requirements and a list of approved trainings. Please ensure you have a plan to either attend an in-person training or complete the online YQCA module BEFORE June 1, 2025.

Our FINAL county-wide program will take place on Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 6:30pm at Johnstown Middle School.

SPECIAL NOTES:

  • Photos for fair IDs will NOT be taken at QA programs in 2025. We will have a process similar to last year where members will be able to upload a photo themselves instead of having photos taken by fair staff. More details on that to come at a later date!
  • Only Licking County 4-H/FFA Quality Assurance Programs will address program changes and updated for the Hartford Fair. If you choose to attend another QA program or complete the YQCA online module, please ensure that you are watching for updates through the Licking County Extension and Hartford Fair websites and that you check in with your advisor(s) for updates and changes as well.
  • A special thank you to our county FFA chapters for hosting us for these trainings!

 

Other Approved Activities and Training Programs…

Delaware County Quality Assurance Training Program – Contact #740.833.2030 for program details

  • May 20 – 6:30 p.m. (Extension Office)
  • May 28 – 6:30 p.m. (Extension Office)
  • May 29 – 6:30 p.m. (Extension Office)

*Please Note: Delaware is also offering a session on June 3rd – this one does NOT meet the Hartford Fair QA deadline of June 1st.

Knox County Quality Assurance Training Programs – Contact #740.397.0401 for program details

  • May 12 (Mt. Vernon H.S.)

*All training programs take place at 6:00 p.m.

 

REMINDER: Final 2025 Quality Assurance Trainings

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Our FINAL Hartford Fair Livestock Quality Assurance (QA) Training for 2025 will take place soon! Any junior fair exhibitor that plans to show livestock at either the Hartford Fair or Ohio State Fair MUST complete an approved QA training by June 1, 2025 in order to be eligible to show in 2025. Please review the Junior Fair Livestock Quality Assurance Guidelines for all requirements and a list of approved trainings. Please ensure you have a plan to either attend an in-person training or complete the online YQCA module BEFORE June 1, 2025.

Our FINAL county-wide program will take place on Tuesday May 13, 2025 at 6:30pm at Johnstown Middle School.

SPECIAL NOTES:

  • Photos for fair IDs will NOT be taken at QA programs in 2025. We will have a process similar to last year where members will be able to upload a photo themselves instead of having photos taken by fair staff. More details on that to come at a later date!
  • Only Licking County 4-H/FFA Quality Assurance Programs will address program changes and updated for the Hartford Fair. If you choose to attend another QA program or complete the YQCA online module, please ensure that you are watching for updates through the Licking County Extension and Hartford Fair websites and that you check in with your advisor(s) for updates and changes as well.
  • A special thank you to our county FFA chapters for hosting us for these trainings!

 

Other Approved Activities and Training Programs…

Delaware County Quality Assurance Training Program – Contact #740.833.2030 for program details

  • May 20 – 6:30 p.m. (Extension Office)
  • May 28 – 6:30 p.m. (Extension Office)
  • May 29 – 6:30 p.m. (Extension Office)

*Please Note: Delaware is also offering a session on June 3rd – this one does NOT meet the Hartford Fair QA deadline of June 1st.

Knox County Quality Assurance Training Programs – Contact #740.397.0401 for program details

  • May 8 (Danville H.S.)
  • May 12 (Mt. Vernon H.S.)

*All training programs take place at 6:00 p.m.

 

REMINDER: Ohio 4-H Seeking Teens to Serve as 4-H Event Youth Assistants

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  • What: 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA)
  • Who: Individuals age 13-18 (as of January 1 of the year of application) and have at least 1 year prior 4-H experience.
  • Timeframe: Apply by May 15, selection, training, service to OSF, and evaluation. Complete responsibilities by August 31, 2025.
  • Requirements (in addition to application/selection process):
    • Training – Must attend one of the options for training (July 10 or July 15)
      • Please note: individuals MUST attend one of the training options. This is not negotiable. If you know you are unable to attend a training option before applying, it is best to wait another year before applying to serve in this capacity.
    • Events – Must work a minimum of 3 events at the Ohio State Fair; may work more if desired
  • Program Fee: $25/person (paid at [go.osu.edu/4HEYA25]go.osu.edu/4HEYA25);
  • Teens Receive:
    • 4HEYA Polo & Nametag
    • State Fair admission, parking ticket, and meal ticket(s)
    • Optional State Fair housing in the Rhodes Center (if desired)
    • Experience of working events at the Ohio State Fair
    • Opportunity to enhance leadership skills and be involved in the State 4-H program
  • What about the Teen Leadership Council? YES, these members may apply for 4HEYA AND TLC this year, if desired. TLC applications will be available in June and will be due the Friday following the Ohio State fair. Their term is September 1, 2025-August 31, 2026. Current TLC members are not eligible to apply for 4HEYA, as they are already fulfilling obligations at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Questions? Contact Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or Sara (Deakin.5@osu.edu)

Ohio 4-H Seeking Teens to Serve as 4-H Event Youth Assistants

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  • What: 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA)
  • Who: Individuals age 13-18 (as of January 1 of the year of application) and have at least 1 year prior 4-H experience.
  • Timeframe: Apply by May 15, selection, training, service to OSF, and evaluation. Complete responsibilities by August 31, 2025.
  • Requirements (in addition to application/selection process):
    • Training – Must attend one of the options for training (July 10 or July 15)
      • Please note: individuals MUST attend one of the training options. This is not negotiable. If you know you are unable to attend a training option before applying, it is best to wait another year before applying to serve in this capacity.
    • Events – Must work a minimum of 3 events at the Ohio State Fair; may work more if desired
  • Program Fee: $25/person (paid at [go.osu.edu/4HEYA25]go.osu.edu/4HEYA25);
  • Teens Receive:
    • 4HEYA Polo & Nametag
    • State Fair admission, parking ticket, and meal ticket(s)
    • Optional State Fair housing in the Rhodes Center (if desired)
    • Experience of working events at the Ohio State Fair
    • Opportunity to enhance leadership skills and be involved in the State 4-H program
  • What about the Teen Leadership Council? YES, these members may apply for 4HEYA AND TLC this year, if desired. TLC applications will be available in June and will be due the Friday following the Ohio State fair. Their term is September 1, 2025-August 31, 2026. Current TLC members are not eligible to apply for 4HEYA, as they are already fulfilling obligations at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Questions? Contact Frances (foos.61@osu.edu) or Sara (Deakin.5@osu.edu)