Ohio State Fair

Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathon Registration deadline has been extended to June 18th

The Ohio State Fair has extended the virtual skillathon registration deadline until June 18.

It is important that OSF exhibitors know that the virtual skillathon is required to compete for Overall Breeding Exhibitor at the state fair. It’s also great practice and shows a lot of what to expect for the in-person skillathon.  4-H/FFA youth do not have to be exhibiting or taking animal projects to participate.

OSF Skillathon Rules and Dates

How to Register
• Please register by visiting:
•www.go.osu.edu/skillathonregistration
• Please answer allofthe survey prompts.
• Each youth will need a unique email addressto be used as your log-in credential.
• For example, a family with 3 children participating must have a unique email address for eachchild.
• If you have any questions, please contact 4hanimalscience@osu.edu.
Dates:
• Session 1 (June 28, 9a –4p): Dog, Horses
• Session 2 (June 29, 9a –4p): Goats, Sheep, Alpacas/Llamas
• Session 3 (June 30, 9a –4p): Dairy, Beef, Swine
• Session 4 (July 1, 9a –4p): Poultry, Rabbit, Cavy

Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathon Contest

Ohio Youth Skillathon information for VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON sessions is now online at: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-youth-skillathons

VIRTUAL Skillathon Registration is due by JUNE 14th, 2021!

A few important notes:

  • Those exhibiting at OSF and want to be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor (OME) awards MUST participate at the IN-PERSON skillathons at the state fair
  • Those exhibiting at OSF and want to be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor (OBE) awards MUST participate in the VIRTUAL skillathons online

 

Ohio State Fair Livestock Entry Deadline – June 20

Livestock animal ownership dates

In order to be more consistent with statewide livestock exhibition ownership rules, the Ohio State Fair has listed animal ownership dates below:

The deadline to enter livestock exhibitions is June 20th, 2021. 

Market animals – 
  • Market beef – January 1
  • Market swine – May 26
  • Market lambs – May 26
  • Market goats – May 26
  • Dairy feeders – May 26
  • Market rabbits – June 1
  • Market poultry – within 5 days of hatch
Breeding animals – ownership dates have not changed
  • Breeding Beef – May 1
  • Breeding Swine – June 1
  • Breeding Sheep – June 1
  • Breeding Goats – June 1
  • Breeding Poultry – June 1
  • Breeding rabbits – June 1
  • Dairy Cattle – June 1

https://ohiostatefair.com/agriculture-livestock/livestock/

PAS Horse Show cancelled

It is with regret that we are cancelling the 2021 Performance Against Standards (PAS) horse show scheduled for June 12, 2021.  There are still many opportunities for members to travel to neighboring counties and many counties across Ohio.  Please visit horse.osu.edu for a complete list of shows.  Horse members who wish to qualify to attend state fair may attend up to 2 shows and must qualify in 2 classes to attend the Ohio State Fair.  Those members who are attending shows in other counties need to have paperwork signed by our 4-H professionals in Washington County a week before the show and they must also preregister for the show.  All horse paperwork including animal declarations and immunization records must be on file by June 1 and the member must have attended an educational equine session prior to attending the PAS show.  The member will need to pay any associated class fees and obtain a receipt to submit to the saddle horse committee.  The committee will then review the classes and receipts and offer a reimbursement for Washington County Horse members up to $40.  For more information please call us at 740-376-7431.

Ohio State Fair Cancelled for 2020

With today’s announcement to cancel the 2020 Ohio State Fair, please keep in mind that in the coming weeks we will be sharing more information about a virtual format for State Level 4-H Special Interest Project judging. Bruce Zimmer

 

https://ohiostatefair.com/updates/?fbclid=IwAR0ZlP9BgN9JOafHms0sunuPG_9ls6MMeFZgl33ivOrNcp_oKe_tvl4ZA_A

May 21, 2020

Today, the Ohio Expositions Commission announced that it will cancel the 2020 Ohio State Fair, originally scheduled for July 29 – August 9 in Columbus. Members of the Commission expressed concern for public health, as well as the financial feasibility of hosting a socially distant fair that would adhere to social distancing protocols and its impact on the long-term viability of the Ohio State Fair.

“After careful thought and deliberation, we have decided to cancel the Ohio State Fair. Knowing how easily the virus spreads in large groups, we believe it is the safest path forward for the health and safety of all Ohioans.” said Andy Doehrel, chair of the Ohio Expositions Commission. “The financial ramifications of hosting a reduced-capacity Fair would be too great, and we need to protect the great Ohio State Fair for future generations.”

“Our first priority is the safety of the hundreds of thousands of people involved in the Ohio State Fair each year. While this is a difficult decision, we feel it is necessary to protect the fairgoers, exhibitors, volunteers, vendors, partners, performers, concessionaires, youth leaders, employees and sponsors,” said Virgil Strickler, general manager of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair. “I look forward to seeing my fellow Ohioans at the 2021 Ohio State Fair, when it is safer for us to enjoy our favorite traditions together.”

Last year, 934,925 people attended the Ohio State Fair during its 12-day run. These attendees came from each of Ohio’s 88 counties, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, as well as Canada and Mexico.

The Ohio Expositions Commission is focused on developing a strategy to responsibly reopen its year-round facilities when appropriate, and to welcome guests back for the 2021 Ohio State Fair, scheduled for July 28 through August 8 of next year.

Horse Member Updates- State Fair Info

The Washington County Saddle Horse Committee met by Zoom virtual meeting on Monday May 4.  The committee rescheduled cancelled events and are preparing for the Washington County Fair Horse Show.  The educational equine sessions required for members to be able to participate in the county fair are scheduled for July 14  6:30-8:30pm at the Washington County Fair grounds for an open workout and August 1 from 10am to 12noon for trail obstacles.  Members are also reminded that the skillathon is scheduled for July 25 from 8:30am to 11:30am.

The State Fair has waived some requirements due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and has waived the PAS qualifying events.  Members wishing to take their horse to the Ohio State Fair must register on June 1.  More information to come on this process.  It is our understanding that preference will be given to graduating seniors or members who will age out of the 4-H program.  The State Fair horse show is limited to 850 participants and members wishing to attend must complete the county requirement to attend.  This year Washington County is requiring all members who are attending the State fair horse show to complete the EQUISTEP online training module or attend the first educational equine session being offered on July 17th.  Members may also be asked to send in a video of them riding.  If you are interested in completing the EQUISTEP online module you must email hartline.24@osu.edu to request the training.  The training module can only be obtained through the Extension Office at this time.

The horse packet is available online at washington.osu.edu and animal declarations are due June 1 to the Extension Office.  Also be aware that all Coggins test must be dated in the year 2020.  Tests given in 2019 will not be accepted, this is a state rule.  If you have questions please reach out to us via email or by calling the extension office at 740-376-7431.  The extension office remains closed however we are working from home to plan our summer events.

Virtual Livestock Quality Assurance Training Approved for 2020

Quality Assurance Training is still mandatory for 2020 for all youth taking market livestock and lactating dairy cattle/goat projects in order to be eligible to participate in junior fair events, shows and sales at the fairs.  Parents are encourage to attend the training with their child.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has given permission to OSU Extension to teach QA using a virtual platform such as Zoom for 2020 only. This virtual training has been approved by local fair boards for 2020 as well.

All trainings will be held during QA Week, the week of April 27 using Zoom.

April 27 – 10am, 3pm, 7pm

April 29 – 10 am, 3 pm

April 30 – 10am, 3pm, 7pm

Each session will hold a maximum of 40 participants. No more than two family members on one Zoom connection.

Participants must sign-up and reserve a training spot at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094EADA72CA1FD0-virtual . A Zoom link to attend the training will be emailed one day prior to the training time.

Attendance will be taken throughout the training session. If someone doesn’t attend the full training, the training will have to be repeated.

A face to face session will also be held after July 6 for members that are not able to attend a virtual training due to limited or no internet access. This date will be announced later.

How to attend a virtual training using Zoom:

Steps to attend a Zoom meeting on a computer

  • Click on the QA invitation link that will be sent via email one day prior to the training
  • You will need to allow your computer some time to download Zoom
  • Enter the meeting ID if necessary
  • Allow access to Camera & Sound
  • Your controls are at the bottom for microphone and camera
  • Need more help? Here is a quick video https://www.youtube.com/embed/hIkCmbvAHQQ?rel=0&autoplay=1&cc_load_policy=1

Steps to attend a Zoom meeting on a mobile phone

  • Open App Store and download Zoom Cloud Meetings
  • Open App, sign-up, enter email address, first name, and last name, email will be sent, verify account, initial setup complete
  • Make sure Zoom App is downloaded and ready
  • Click on the QA invitation line that will be sent via email one day prior to the training
  • Enter the meeting ID if necessary
  • Allow access to Camera & Sound

Here is HUGE announcement about Livestock Quality Assurance Training. QA Week will be April 27, 29,30

Posted by Ohio State – Washington County 4-H on Wednesday, April 15, 2020

4-H Event Youth Assistant Apps to Help with Ohio State Fair

The 4-H Event Youth Assistant (4HEYA) applications are now available!  This is an opportunity for teens 13-18 as of January 1 to get a short term experience at the state level.  Applications are available at go.osu.edu/4HEYA and are due by May 15, 2020 to longo.79@osu.edu.

Here is a basic overview of the opportunity:

  • 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, 2020.
  • Requirements (in addition to application/selection process):
    • Training-Must attend one of the options for training (July 8 or July 14)
    • Events-Must work a minimum of 3 events at the Ohio State Fair; may work more if desired
  • Program Fee: $25/person for first year members; $10 for 2nd or more year members
  • 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, 2020-August 31, 2021.  Current TLC members are not eligible to apply for 4HEYA, as they are already fulfilling obligations at the Ohio State Fair.
  • Questions? Contact Hannah (epley.24@osu.edu), Kayla (oberstadt.1@osu.edu), Sarah (longo.79@osu.edu) or Frances (nicol.115@osu.edu)