New Washington DC Conference for Teens – App Due Sept 15

Remember Citizenship Washington Focus? Well, it is now part of the Ignite by 4-H Conference and will be held in March 2026. Washington County has funds to support this teen opportunity!

What is Ignite by 4-H?

Ignite by 4‑H 2026 will be held in Washington, D.C., from March 25–29 at the Washington Hilton. Ignite by 4‑H remains the premier experience where teens discover their spark, connect with peers from across the country (and even the world), explore traditional and emerging career paths, and develop career and life readiness skills to become Beyond Ready for the future. In 2026, Ignite will offer six exciting programmatic tracks, allowing teens to focus on their passions, deepen their skills, and explore meaningful career pathways. Tracks for 2026: AgriScience, Community Accelerators, Healthy Living, STEM, Animal Science, Citizenship Washington Focus (Civic Engagement).

Application Guidelines:

  1. Applicants must have been enrolled in Washington County 4-H in 2024-25 and in good standing (completed projects) at least one year and must be enrolled in Washington County 4-H for 2025-26.
  2. Applicants must be at least ages 13-18
  3. Funding for scholarships is made possible by the Washington County 4-H Advisory Committee.  The committee will award two delegates annually.  Scholarship will cover 80% of the camp costs (approximately $1600).  Winners will be responsible for 20% of the conference fee (approximately $200).

Application: 2026 Ignite by 4-H Conference App

Little Royalty Contest – Washington County Fair

Washington County Fair Contest Requirements:
1. Applicants for Little Mr. and Miss Washington County Fair must be between the ages of Mr./Miss Cloverbud: 5 and 7 as of January 1 of the current year Mr./Miss Washington County Fair: 8 and 11 as of January 1 of the current year

2. Applicants must be a member, in good standing, of a youth organization involved in the Washington County 4-H Program, Girl Scouts, or Boy Scouts.

3.Previous years’ court members are NOT eligible to participate in the same division. For example: 2024 Mr. Washington County may not apply for 2025 Mr. Washington County, however if they qualify by age to apply for Jr. Fair Royalty, they may do so.

Complete Rules: Little Royalty Contest_2025

Waterford Fair Hog Schedule

Fair Schedule—August 13-17

Wednesday, August 13

Early Hog Arrival                9:00 am – 3:00 pm – All hogs penned early will be weighed after the last trailer                                                                  is unloaded on Wednesday evening. It will still be the exhibitor’s responsibility to bring the hog to the scales.

4-H Booth Setup 1:00—8:00 pm

Hog Weigh-In 5-6 pm Last Name A-G

6-7 pm Last Name H-L

7-8 pm Last Name M-Z

Friday, August 15

Hog Show 8:00 am

Show Order: Showmanship (Senior, Intermediate, Junior), Market Classes

Parade 6:00 pm (5:30 lineup)

Fort Frye HS—South on 339 thru Waterford to fairgrounds

Saturday, August 16

Buyers Reception 9:00 am

Poster Awards & Skillathon Awards 9:45 am

Hog Sale 10:00 am

Sunday, August 17

Take down Club Booths 6:00—8:00 pm

 

Hog Exhibitor Email

This information was emailed to all Waterford Hog Exhibitors on Monday, August 4

Hello Waterford Market Hog Exhibitor:

BUYER INVITATIONS: Personally contact buyers and business people in your area. Last years buyers are listed in the Junior Fair Guide. For new buyers – contact the Extension Office with name of business, name of contact person, and mailing address by emailing Peg at bolon.8@osu.edu by August 11th. We will send them a new buyer’s packet.

 HOG ARRIVAL & WEIGH IN: Hogs will be weighed at the Waterford Fairgrounds on Wednesday, August 13. Please note the following schedule:

  • 5:00 – 6:00 pm: Last Name A thru G
  • 6:00 – 7:00 pm: Last Name H thru L
  • 7:00 – 8:00 pm: Last Name M thru Z

Only one exhibitor and one parent will be permitted to help move the hog from the trailer, through weigh-in and on to the hog pen. Only 1(one) trip through the scales – no exceptions. Hogs not making grade weight (220 – 280 lbs.) or not meeting quality standards will not be eligible to be sold at the fair.

The hog tag must be clean and readable. One person is needed to follow the hog to the scales and report the name and tag number to the record keepers and then take the hog to its assigned pen. Once the hog makes weight, the member must check-in with the DUNF Table, Exhibitor Number Table, and Fair Wristband Table before leaving the barn area.

EARLY HOG ARRIVAL: If you know for sure which hog you are bringing, and it will not be over or under weight, you can bring your hog and pen it on Wednesday between 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. All hogs penned early will be weighed after the last trailer is unloaded on Wednesday evening. It will still be the exhibitor’s responsibility to bring the hog to the scales.

EAR TAGS: All hogs must have a Washington County Identification Tag in ear. Your hog must have clean ear tags and you must know your tag number. Families with more than one exhibitor must have the hog they tagged in and designated for each 4-H/FFA member in the family. No changes at weigh-in.

NEW FEED PANS: Each pen now has a hog feeder installed. So no need to bring extra pans or feeders.

HOG PICTURES: Will NOT be taken at the fair again this year. Families are encouraged to take pictures at home and have them printed on 5 X 7 or 8 X 10 and framed. Option 1: Exhibitor will take pictures prior to coming to fair. Option 2: Exhibitor can take their pictures with the fair banner on Thursday from 11am to 6pm.  Exhibitor must provide a 5 X 7 Color Photo to the buyer at the Hog sale.

Action Required by August 11

DRUG USE NOTIFICATION FORM (DUNF): The link is now live and must be completed by Monday, August 11. If you have two hogs tagged for the fair, complete a DUNF for both hogs! You will get an email confirmation after the DUNF is submitted. – https://go.osu.edu/waterford-dunf

Remember: The DUNF is a legal and binding document! If the information is not correct (tag numbers, etc) it will be rejected and a new form must be completed. Also, regarding animal color – pink is not a color but rather white should be listed.

WATERFORD COMMUNITY FAIR Ractopamine (Paylean) Affidavit: The link is now live and must be completed by Monday, August 11.  – https://go.osu.edu/waterford-paylean

EXHIBITOR NUMBERS: will be handed out along with safety pins at check-in. These must be worn during showmanship and market classes.

MEMBERSHIP TICKETS: All exhibitors are required to have a fair membership ticket ($12). This amount will be deducted from your hog check. You will pickup your fair pass and exhibitor number during check-in at the hog show arena.

EXHIBITING: Market hog exhibitors who will not be exhibiting at Waterford, contact Chris Campbell at 740-984-4646 as soon as possible.

SHOWS ON FRIDAY: The show will start promptly at 8 a.m. It is important to be there and ready at that time. Exhibitors must show their own animal. Senior Showmanship is first followed by intermediate and junior divisions. Market classes, determined by weight, will immediately follow showmanship classes. All exhibitors must show in both showmanship and market classes to be eligible to sell.

HOG PEN AREA:

  • During the hog show, exhibitors 13 and under are permitted to have one parent in the hog barn.  Over 13 exhibitors- no parents permitted

HOG SALE: The sale this year will be Saturday, August 16 starting at 10:00 am

PARENT NAMES FOR HOG SALE PROGRAM: There will be clipboard hanging on the bulletin board near the show announcers stand. Parents should check the list for accuracy. Edits can be made on the clipboard or emailed to zimmer.2@osu.edu by 3:00 pm on Friday, Aug 15

BUYERS GIFTS: Rather than providing gifts to buyers, we encourage you visit the buyer’s place of business or mail them a thank you card after the sale. Buyers appreciate your thoughtfulness, but they can be overwhelmed with gifts during the sale and trying to transport them home.

CHECKS: Checks will be mailed to you following the fair. They cannot be picked up at the fair office.

SALE COMMISSION: 4% will be deducted from checks for upkeep and other sale related expenses.

ABUSE: Anyone abusing any animal, drenching, or injecting any foreign substance into an animal will not be eligible to sell and will be asked to leave the grounds.

 THANK YOU POSTER CONTEST: Posters will be judged at the fair and must be in place by Thursday evening of the fair. Judging is based on originality, neatness & creativity on relaying a “Thank You” message to the buyers. Awards will be 1st $15; 2nd $10; & 3rd $5 the awards are sponsored by Integrity Paving & Sealing. Please list exhibitor’s name & age on front of poster. Everyone is required to display a poster.

It is your responsibility to read and practice the rules for the fair. The Junior Fair Activities Guide and each fairs senior fair book have this information. Junior Fair Activity Guides are available at the Ohio State University Extension Office.

Sincerely,

Chris Campbell Hog Committee – Waterford Community Fair

Mitch Schott, President – Waterford Community Fair

Bruce Zimmer, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development