FAQs & Fair Rules

4-H

One of the nation’s largest youth organizations with the motto “To Make the Best Better.” The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. Members are mentored by volunteer leaders using approved curriculum-based material. Age groups are listed under Age Groups.

4-H Educator

A paid member of Washington State University Extension who leads the 4-H Youth Development Program for a county.

FFA

The National FFA Organization is a youth leadership organization whose motto is “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve.” FFA stands for “Future Farmers of America.” Students are enrolled through school-based programs.

Grange

The Grange provides opportunities for individuals and families to develop to their highest potential in order to build stronger communities and states, as well as a stronger nation.

These are 4-H age groups. Market Sale age divisions are governed by the separate Market Sale rules.

Cloverbud

Enrolled 4-H members ages 5 to 7 as of October 1 of the current program year.

Junior

Enrolled 4-H members ages 8 to 10 as of October 1 of the current program year.

Intermediate

Enrolled 4-H members ages 11 to 13 as of October 1 of the current program year.

Senior

Enrolled 4-H members ages 14 to 18 as of October 1 of the current program year.

Division

The general category of exhibits. Divisions at the Pierce County Fair include 4-H, FFA, and Open Class. Divisions are then subdivided.

Department

A subdivision that groups like project areas. Example: In the Open Class Division, there is the Special Contest Department.

Class

A defined area of display or competition. Example: In the Open Class Division, there is the Special Contest Department, which has a class for the chocolate contest.

Lot

A very specific subsection. Example: In the Open Class Division, the Special Contest Department has a chocolate contest class divided into lots. One lot would be for cookies and another for cakes.

Open Class

Anyone can enter. Often, but not always, divided into adult and youth categories.

Danish System

No, not a breakfast item. Each item at the Fair is eligible to receive a ribbon based on the Danish System.

Excellent or Blue: A blue is given to entries or members who most nearly meet the standards established for the particular class or level of performance. Excellent does not indicate perfection but is a wide grouping indicating a high degree of achievement toward the elements in the standards for the exhibit.

Good or Red: The red grouping indicates exhibits or individuals who rank good in relation to the particular standards or expected achievement of the class or contest. Either the general level of accomplishment is less than excellent, or enough specific shortcomings are found to cause the placing to drop from excellent to good.

Fair or White: The white grouping contains exhibits or contestants who, upon evaluation, are found lacking and receive average, acceptable, or satisfactory ratings for the established standards.

The Pierce County Fair uses a Modified Danish System. An exhibitor receiving a blue ribbon may also receive, as warranted, a Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Best in Show, Best in Class, Outstanding Exhibit, or similar award.

Judging Contests

Individuals and teams evaluate classes of animals or project items in a competition. Participants place the class, answer questions and give a set of oral reasons.

Premiums/Premium Points

Most Fair entries are eligible to receive premium payments based on their award level. Each exhibitor who enters premium classes receives a payment or “premium” based on their point total.

Points Allowed

Each class or lot indicates how many points are accumulated according to the judge’s award.

4-H In Action

4-H members work within their project’s area of the curriculum to provide the public with interactive demonstrations. You may see 4-H In Action presentations all over the fairgrounds at various times.

Fashion Revue/Creative Consumers of Fashion

Clothing project members model outfits sewn and/or purchased through their Clothing project experience. The outfit must include garments, sewn and/or purchased, and selected accessories for a Total Look Outfit.

Fitting & Showmanship

A term used in animal classes that judges both the exhibitor’s ability to show their project and how well they have prepared the animal for the show.

Herdsmanship

A term mostly used in 4-H and FFA. The exhibitor is responsible for interacting with and educating the public while taking care of their exhibit and exhibit area.

Public Presentation

4-H and FFA members provide a presentation based on their project knowledge. For example, a 4-H Dog Project member may present how to groom a dog for show. Presentations are judged by strict criteria, and premium points are awarded.

Round Robin

A contest to promote fellowship, sportsmanship, and cooperation among the different 4-H project areas. Round Robin is divided into Senior and Intermediate Divisions, with Grand and Reserve Grand Champions of Fitting & Showmanship competing from each project area. A trophy or plaque is awarded to the winner in each age division.

Still Life Exhibits

Project or exhibit areas that do not involve an animal. Arts and photography are good examples of still-life exhibits.

Vet Check

All animals for exhibit must pass an on-site veterinary inspection before being allowed into a barn or display area.

County Fair

A fair usually held annually at a set location in a county specifically to exhibit local agricultural products and livestock.

Director

A member of the Fair Board who organizes and operates the Fair. At the Pierce County Fair, Directors are all volunteers from the community.

Exhibitor

A person who enters displays or items into a Fair.

Exhibitor Guide

A publication listing opportunities to enter items and animals for showing and competition at the Fair. Also often called a Premium Book. Exhibitor Guides are available electronically.

FairBook

The FairBook was renamed Exhibitor Guide in 2023. It lists opportunities to enter items and animals for showing and competition at the Fair, is also often called a Premium Book, and is available electronically.

Superintendent

A person charged with organizing and managing a project, display area or contest. At most fairs, including the Pierce County Fair, superintendents are volunteers with experience in that project area.

Vendor

A person or company that rents space at the Fair to showcase products or services. Vendors may be professional fair-circuit providers or local businesses. Some sell products at the Fair, while others offer information, business cards or catalogs for later use.