1. Entries are open to 4-H members (5 years old as of January 1 but not over 19) in Piscataquis, Somerset and Penobscot Counties who are carrying on approved 4-H projects.

2. Entries shall be from current 4-H projects 2007/2008 4-H year. Exhibits will be judged by the Danish System and will be placed in three groups, BLUE-1st, RED-2nd, WHITE-3rd. Each qualifying exhibit will be awarded a ribbon and premium. Purple ribbons will be awarded to outstanding exhibits. Premiums are: Blue $3.00; Red $2.00; White $1.00; Purple $10.00

3. Each exhibit must be plainly marked with a 4-H exhibit tag, which is available from the Piscataquis County Extension Office. Any special circumstances that should be taken into account by the judges should be noted on the back of the exhibit tag. NOTE: You need to put the words Refer To Back Of Tag across the bottom of the exhibit tag. If you do not, the judge will have no idea that there are any special circumstances.

4. 4-H youth ages 5-19 are required to submit a Life Skills card with their exhibits. The 4-H Skills cards will not be placed on the exhibit during the fair. They are only used by the judges to determine ribbon placement. If a judge wishes to make a comment about your exhibit or 4-H Skills card, he or she will write it on a post a note, not on the actual project record sheet.

5. Club leaders are required to submit an ³Official Registration Form for Piscataquis County Fair² with their club members exhibits. This form certifies that all of their club¹s exhibits were actual 4-H projects. Independent members must also submit this form with their exhibits.

6. A maximum of three exhibits per project will be allowed. For example, a 4-H¹er may exhibit corn, peas and potatoes in the garden category, but not three corn entries. Each exhibit will be judged on the basis of individual merit. No project records will be accepted as an exhibit.

7. All 4-H exhibits must be delivered to the 4-H Exhibit Hall on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 between 3 PM and 5 PM only.

8. All 4-H exhibits must be removed from the 4-H Exhibit Hall Sunday, August 24, 2008 between the hours of 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

9. Should any exhibits be of inferior quality or form, in the opinion of the judges, unworthy of premiums offered, it will be eliminated from the judging.

10. The Piscataquis Valley Fair will afford the best possible care and protection of all exhibits; however, it distinctly disclaims any liability for loss or damage to exhibits or personal property of exhibits.

11. NO KITS accepted! Definition of a kit: The prefabrication, assembly, or collection of component parts, which materially diminishes the exercise of those skills, which the project is designed to teach.

12. Scrapbooks (this includes any project area that specifically asks for a hard cover) and written reports MUST have HARD COVERS such as a two or three-ring notebook with a hard cover. Use your imagination and be creative when it comes to designing a front cover, creating a table of contents, including photos of your project, writing captions for your work, etc. The more work you put into your project, the better it is for you as a recipient of a ribbon and the better for the judge who is trying to learn something about you through your exhibit. Soft cover (paper) will not be accepted. Using a hard covered notebook protects your exhibit from wear and tear. Fairgoers love to look over the 4-H exhibits, and your project may be handled many times. Youth are encouraged to enter their 4-H activity workbook(s) in a hard cover notebook with their exhibit or as an exhibit.

13. The management reserves the right to grant variances to the above regulations where extenuating circumstances warrant.

In Danish System judging, the exhibitors are not judged against each other. In 4-H, a "modified" Danish System is used which uses standards adjusted according to age and/or years of experience. In Maine 4-H, ribbons traditionally awarded by the Danish System are Blue for excellence, exceeding the standards; Red for good work which meets the expected standard; and White for work which falls below the expected. the Danish System is used in 4-H because it is a way to provide recognition to greater numbers of youth who may all be making significant progress in their projects.

1. Premiums plus ribbons will be awarded as follows:

1st - $35
2nd - $20
3rd - $15
All Others $10.

3. 4-H club exhibits will be judged on the following criteria:

• Exhibits Theme: (Should express an idea or message) 10 Points
• Exhibit Title: (Brief and clearly visible in large 4-inch letters) 10 Points
• Attracts Attention: 10 Points
• Originality: 10 Points
• Explanation of 4-H to the public: 20 Points
• Use of modern technology: (such as a computer, digital camera, etc) 10 Points
• Arrangement: (objects in exhibit should be well spaced and balanced) 10 Points
• Workmanship: (quality and neatness of the exhibit) 20 Points
  Total Possible Points: 100