Exhibitor's Rules and Regulations

1.      Entries in all Livestock areas must be postmarked or turned in by July 1st.  Entry dates for dogs and horses are different.  Check with superintendent or Premium book for these dates.  Mail to:  P.O. Box 8271, Yakima, WA  98908.

2.      All entries are accepted with the understanding that neither the West Valley Fair organization, sponsors, nor their officials, shall be held responsible for any damage or loss that may arise to livestock on exhibition or for sale.

3.      No refunds will be given without written request to the West Valley Fair Board.  Refunds will be at the discretion of the Fair Board.

4.      Due to limited space, entries will be limited to exhibitors residing in Yakima County north of Union Gap, EXCEPT for Horses, Dogs, Cats, Critter Pals (Rats, Cavies, etc), Open Entries, and Fleece & Fiber entries.

5.      Entry fees are as follows:

 

Market Beef, Sheep, Swine and Wethers:  $5.00

Breeding Beef, Dairy, Llamas, Sheep, Swine, and Goats:  $5.00

Dogs:  $5.00 (additional dogs at $1.00)

Cats, Poultry, Cavies and Rabbits:  $2.00

Critter Pals:  $2.00 first cage, each additional cage $1.00

Horse:  $20.00 (each additional horse—$10.00)

 

6.      Exhibitors are allowed two (2) market animals.

7.      Non-market entries will be accepted up to the limit of facilities available.  In case limits must be imposed, entries will be allowed on a pro-rated basis to each exhibitor.

8.      Entries are open to all regularly enrolled 4-H and FFA members.

9.      Primary 4-H members may enter the fair as participants only, according to the guidelines and policies as stated in the 4-H regulations.

10.  Exhibitors shall not enter the same division in both 4-H and FFA.  Neither shall 4-H or FFA members compete against each other.

11.  Indicate completed grade in school in appropriate entry box on front of entry card for showmanship division. Novice class is for those that have never shown an animal from the ground, age 12 and under.  Age divisions are as follows:  Junior--completed grades 3-5;  Intermediate--completed grades 6-8.  Senior--completed grades 9-12 (not over 19 as of January 1 of current year). FFA members can show after their Freshman year through the year immediately following graduation.

12.  Animals must be under the care and management of the exhibitor for the following time prior to the fair:

 

Market beef--120 days

Horse, Dairy, Beef Heifers, Llamas--90 days

Sheep, Swine, Goats, Cats, and Dogs--60 days

Rabbits, Poultry, Cavy, Critter Pals (rats, etc)--45 days.

 

13.  No animal previously shown in a market class and sold may show at West Valley Fair in Market Class.

14.  Weighing of market animals will be done ONE TIME ONLY, right off the truck!!!  At the discretion of the superintendent, any animal needing to be cleaned will be weighed after they have been washed.  See "Program of Events" for  time and order.  Steers will receive a 3% shrink.  Scales will be closed from 8:00 am Monday until 2:00 pm Wednesday.

15.  Weight limits:  Steers must weigh at least 1100 pounds;  Market lambs 105-150 pounds;  Market Wethers 55-130 pounds; and Market swine 250-300 pounds.  If animals don't make weight, they may only show in Fitting and Showing and are not eligible for the sale.

16.  No stags or unaltered animals will be shown in market classes.  Market animals must be naturally polled or dehorned.  All market lambs must be slick shorn prior to the fair or they will be ineligible.  Any crimping must be done at least 60 days prior to the fair or they will be disqualified.  All goats with horns must be tipped.

17.  All entries must be fitted by the enrolled 4-H or FFA member only.  Infraction of this rule shall be cause for dismissal from the show.

18.  All exhibitors attending the show must be responsible to a high school agriculture teacher or a 4-H leader for the duration of the fair.

19.  Any exhibitor or contestant found guilty of using or having in their  possession any intoxicating liquor or drugs (including tobacco products, if under 18) will be barred from the fairgrounds and from participating in any activities.

20.  Any 4-H or FFA member taking part in the fair found guilty of misconduct, such as destruction of property, boisterous conduct, profane language, or disrespect to any adult in authority, may have his/her stock withdrawn from the fair and be sent home.  Abuse of this rule may disqualify either individuals or teams from any awards which they may receive.

21.  No exhibitors, spectators, or parents will be allowed in the barn area between 10:30 pm and 5:00 am without special permission.  No camping will be allowed in the barns.  No camping will be allowed on the grounds by exhibitors unless supervised by an adult.

22.  Because of safety concerns, animals designated by the Superintendent as improperly trained for the show will become ineligible for the show and sale and must be removed from the fair grounds.

23.  The Livestock Superintendents and their assistants reserve the right to reject any entry on the basis of health, sign of disease, or abuse of animals.  Visual inspection will be made by a veterinarian.

24.  Animals entered in the wrong class may be reclassified by the Superintendent, but exhibitors are not allowed to withdraw or change their entries after the opening of the fair.

25.  Decisions of the judges will be final.  Any animal or article not deserving an award will not be given the award.  Should any animal or article awarded a prize be disqualified, the exhibit gaining the lower prize shall be moved up one position if the judge sees them fit for the award.

26.  All protests must be made in writing and presented to the fair organization within 12 hours of the incident.  The protest will be acted on within 12 hours of receipt of the protest.  The fair board's decision in regards to the judging decisions, rules interpretations, and management rulings shall in all cases be final.

27.  Market steers must be accompanied by a brand slip from the original owner to the exhibitor and from the exhibitor to the West Valley Fair.  Brand slips must be turned in before the animal can be weighed.

28.  All Record Books for Livestock and 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences must be up-to-date and turned into the Superintendent when the project is entered.  Failing to turn in your Record Book will disqualify you from showing.

29.  A "Code of Ethics" must be included in every exhibitor's Record Book.  It must be signed by the exhibitor, parent or guardian, and the Project leader.

30.  The fair will furnish the straw.  Exhibitors are responsible for placing and keeping fresh straw in their stalls.

31.  All livestock entries must be secured in their assigned stall by 10:00 pm on Wednesday with all required safety chains in place.

32.  All cattle must be tied with an approved halter and a night rope or chain around their neck from 8:00 pm until 6:00 am.  All livestock entries must be available for the judging contest if selected.  There will be no exceptions.

33.  Market animals will be listed on the sale sheet and sold in the order of placing in the Market classes.  4-H will start the sale in even years and FFA in the odd years. 

34.  A $5.00 charge will be made on all market animals sold to help defray the expenses of the show.

35.  Animals may NOT be purchased from the turn pen after the sale.  Any animal not meeting market sale requirements may be sold by private treaty without any West Valley Fair Association involvement or responsibility.

36.  All "add-ons", or money added to the exhibitor's market sale price, must be paid on the day of the sale.  "Add-ons"  will not be billed by the fair.

37.  All exhibits must remain on the grounds until 4:00 pm Saturday or until the end of the sale.  No cleaning pens or removing decorations. Removing earlier will result in forfeiting all awards.

38.  Stalls must be cleaned to the satisfaction of the fair officials after the sale or a cleaning charge of $25.00 shall be charged to the person responsible.

39.  Premium Awards will be made to exhibitors on the basis of points earned in each ribbon group.  A monetary value, dependent on funds available, will be given to each point.  The value times the total points earned will be the amount of premium money awarded. (Grand Champion—25 pts; Reserve Grand Champion—20 pts;  Champion—15 pts;  Reserve Champion—10 pts).

 

Fairground Rules

In order for the West Valley Fair to be a safe environment for our kids and spectators, the following rules are in force, not only for the exhibitors, but for the general public as well.
 

1.   No Drugs.

2.   No Alcoholic Beverages.

3.   No Abuse of Animal(s).

4.   No Smoking or Chewing Tobacco except in designated area (18 and older only).

5.   No Coaching of Children while they are in the ring or showing their animals.

6.   Adults may not groom or school animal(s) while on the grounds. Designated adults may help members with the project.

7.   The ring is off limits to everyone except working show personnel.

8.   Approach the judge only after judging is complete for information and educational benefits only, not to dispute his/her placing!

9.   Show personnel can dismiss a visibly ill animal(s) from participation.

10.  All exhibitors will participate in herdsmanship, if offered.

11.  Show management may dismiss any member due to unacceptable behavior.  Club leaders may dismiss any member(s) of their club due to unacceptable behavior and must advise show management of such a dismissal.

12.  A veterinarian's certificate is strongly recommended.

13.  No 4-H'ers or FFA members may go barefoot.  No thongs.   Stockings must be worn with sandals.

14.  All convicted violent and sexual offenders involving crimes against minors 18 years of age and younger are not welcome during all activities of the West Valley Fair (i.e. weigh-in, fund raisers, clean-up days, sheep shearing, and all other on-site fair activities).

15.  No dogs allowed on the grounds unless on a leash or confined, except when showing.

16.  Anti-social or uncontrollable dogs will be sent home.

17.  Exhibitors must dress tastefully.  Improperly dressed exhibitors will be asked to change or leave.

18.  No running or rowdy behavior.

19.  No riding horses double outside the show classes.

20.  Parents riding:  parents can only ride horses at shows where parent classes are offered and then only when the member has completed his/her classes.

21.  No riding horses using halters only.

22.  No racing or running horses--use care and courtesy for other people and animals.

23.  Horses must be ridden with riding boots and you must also wear your approved helmet.

24.  Parental assistance:  4-H'ers who are not physically capable of saddling and bridling their animal may enlist the help of a parent, leader, or 4-H member.   This does not include grooming and herdsmanship.

Enjoy Our Fair!!