July 10 - Entry Deadline for KY State Fair 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Shows

     It's that time of year again, to sit down and fill out Kentucky State Fair entry forms. Deadlines are fast approaching so this is a reminder to all parents, exhibitors, 4-H agents, and agriculture teachers. Through the years I've heard several stories relating how a family completely forgot the deadline or actually dropped the entry in the mailbox but the entry wasn't postmarked on time so the entry was not accepted by the Kentucky State Fair entry department. For many, the state fair is the family vacation and target show for youth exhibitors, working and hoping to have their animals at their best for the fair. This is especially true for market animals.

     Take the time now to and fill out the entry forms either on paper or online at  https://www.kystatefair.org/ksflivestock/   If you choose the online form, you must list your 4-H agent or FFA advisor and the entry department will contact him/her for verification.  If you use the mail-in entries, you must have signatures of your 4-H agent or FFA advisor. (This is for youth livestock entries only)  Open show entries do not require their signatures.
 
     Also, as an important reminder, all youth market livestock entries, including market steers, market heifers, market lambs, market hogs, and market goats, must compete in one of the pre-fair District Shows or Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Division of Show and Fair Promotion. Novice exhibitors are not required to attend a qualifying show. Also, the Kentucky Beef Expo or Preview Beef Shows are not qualifying shows.For complete rules and information regarding the Kentucky State Fair 4-H/FFA Youth Livestock Shows go to the following link
http://www.kystatefair.org/entries/premiumbook/4-H%20and%20FFA%20Youth%20Livestock.pdf

To download and print entry forms go to the following link:
http://www.kystatefair.org/entries/entering.aspx

     General entries for items such as quilts, garden produce, antiques, artwork, photography, etc., in the open division must be postmarked by July 1. All livestock entries are due by July 10, open show also has a late entry date of July 25 or extra late entry date of  August 5. Of course late entries also have late entry fees so it's wise to get all entries in by the first entry date. 4-H agents and FFA advisors enter all other 4-H and FFA entries online. Contact your local leader for more details.  For more information check with the Kentucky State Fair website at    http://www.kystatefair.org/entries/deadlines.aspx 

     Mark your calendar, set an alarm in your phone, do whatever it takes to remind yourself of this deadline, make the entry, encourage your kids and help them work with their animals and I hope to see you at the fair!