General Information for Exhibitors | General Fair Policies
General Livestock Rules | Junior Livestock Auction | Livestock Extravaganza
Health Regulations for Delaware Livestock Shows
2011 Livestock Judges | Superintendents | Junior Exhibitor Scholarship
For nearly a century, the Delaware State Fair has hosted a wide variety of exhibits. You’ll find categories from Abstract Art to Zinnias and everything in between represented. Below is a list of important information regarding becoming an exhibitor at the Delaware State Fair.
General Information for Exhibitors
- 2011 Camping Inquiry Guidelines
- 2011 Camping Inquiry Form
- Code of Conduct for Fair Officials involved in Competitive Exhibition
- Livestock Exhibitor’s Rights of Appeal
- Dairy Cattle Association – Show Ring of Ethics
- IAFE Code of Show Ring Ethics
- Livestock Tagging
- Pork Quality Assurance Certification
General Fair Policies
Parking Instructions
In an effort to be more safety conscious and to improve the appearance of the grounds, vehicles will not be allowed to park inside the fairgrounds property of the Delaware State Fair. Those exhibitors and concessionaires who need to make deliveries to their exhibit area or concession space will be required to do so prior to 10AM each day. Livestock Exhibitors must also remove their vehicles by 12 Noon each day. After this time, all vehicles will be required to park in the exhibitor lot or in the main parking lot.
Golf Cart Policy
Golf carts and similar-type vehicles, may not be operated on the fairgrounds, except for administrative purposes or certain approved vendors. There are no exceptions.
Premiums & Awards
Every effort will be made to see that there are no errors made in the payment of premiums. However, if an Exhibitor finds an error, proof of such error must be communicated to the Delaware State Fair Administration Office on or before November 1, 2011. After this date no corrections will be considered.
Checks cashed after 90 days of issue will NOT be reissued.
Advertising
No person will be permitted to distribute advertising material upon the grounds except from their place of business or exhibit space. IThe tacking or posting of an advertisement, bills, etc, other than within the space occupied by exhibits, is strictly prohibited. The distribution of handbills, flyers, and heralds will not be permitted under any circumstances. Anyone violating this rule is liable to fine or expulsion from the grounds. Begging, soliciting, singing, or public speaking is expressly prohibited.
Entry Removal
Entries MUST be removed by Sunday, July 31, 2011. No exceptions.
All items left will be discarded immediately after the Fair.
Pet Policy
With the exception of service dogs, no pets are allowed on the grounds.
Bikes, Skateboards & In-Line Skates
Bikes, skateboards and In-line skates are expressly prohibited on the fairgrounds.
Read department pages for rules applicable to specific livestock species.
Youth Classes/Junior Exhibitors must be Delaware residents who are 21 years old or younger as of January 1st of the fair year they seek to enter. Junior Exhibitors that enter in the Junior Show are also eligible to enter in the Open Show. Active Delaware 4-H members are permitted to exhibit in open and junior livestock shows as well as in the horse department, regardless of residency.
PLEASE REFER TO THE INDIVIDUAL SPECIES SECTION OF OUR WEBSITE FOR SPECIFIC SHOW TIMES AND DATES ALONG WITH THE RESPECTIVE ENTRY FEE INFORMATION FOR SPECIFIC RULES AND SHOW TIMES.
Junior Exhibitors must show their own animals in the Junior Show, unless there is an emergency. No exceptions! No assistance is permitted in the show ring at any time in any of the junior livestock classes, except for assistance provided by a designated ring steward/master. Livestock ear tag numbers will be checked before each exhibitor and animal enter the show ring.
ALL Showmen and/or Junior Exhibitors will wear clean, neat, appropriate show attire. Neat, clean jeans or slacks are recommended along with a clean shirt with some type of sleeve. SHORTS OF ANY TYPE ARE NOT PERMITTED to be worn during a show. Exhibitors are prohibited from wearing shirts with inappropriate messages and/or logos. OPEN-TOED SHOES ARE NOT PERMITTED to be worn during a show. Work-type boots or sneakers are recommended for safety purposes. The judge will deduct for inappropriate show attire as this distracts from the overall appearance of the show. Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Superintendent.
Animals may arrive on Thursday, July 21st starting at 8:00 AM, and must be in place by 8:00 AM Saturday, July 23rd.
ANIMALS MAY NOT LEAVE THE GROUNDS BEFORE 1:00 AM ON SUNDAY, July 31st or premiums will be forfeited. Livestock Exhibitors are permitted vehicle access until 12 Noon each day to make deliveries. Due to the high volume of exhibitor vehicles unloading items, the Fair staff asks that Livestock Exhibitors unload items as quickly as possible and return them back to the designated off-site parking areas.
Animals must have been owned and cared for by exhibitor 60 days prior to the Fair. All animals must be in show condition or they will not be accepted. In Fitting or Showmanship, the exhibitor must show their own animal and must also be entered in an open or junior class show.
Please carefully read all health requirements as they apply to all livestock. If there are any questions regarding health requirements, contact the State Veterinarian, State Department of Agriculture, Dover, Delaware.
Care will be taken to protect the animals from injury, but the Delaware State Fair will not hold itself responsible for accidents, loss and damage by water, fire, theft or otherwise, whatever the cause or damage may be. All animals are entered at the owner’s risk.
If, in the opinion of the judge, an entry does not merit a premium, then no premium shall be paid. Furthermore, the judge has the right to limit the top award in any class to a second, third, or lower premium if he feels the quality of the class does not merit the higher awards. The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent shall have the right to disqualify any exhibitor for infringement of the rules.
Junior Livestock Auction
The exhibitor of the Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Market Steer/Market Hogs/Market Goats/Market Lambs is strongly encouraged to place their animals in the “Junior Livestock Auction”. Sale will be held Thursday, July 28th at 6:30 PM in the Kent Building. Once an animal is donated to an organization at the Junior Livestock Auction, it may not be bought back until the animal is sold at public auction.
Steers (Junior & Open Class) will be judged as finished and ready for slaughter. Dairy Beef accepted.
Junior exhibitors may show one Market Lamb per class but are limited to two market lamb entries in the Junior Livestock Auction. A limited number of lambs will be sold at the auction. The Judge makes this decision.
If in the sole opinion of the Show Judges an animal does not meet minimum standards of quality, said animals will not be allowed in the Junior Livestock Auction.
Weigh-in
All exhibitors must be present or have someone designated to be present so their animals can be weighed. ALL ANIMALS will be weighed on Saturday, July 23rd beginning at 8:00 AM the Kent Building. Animals will be weighed in the following order – lambs, goats, market hogs and barrows, and steer. Weight classes will be assigned at the Fair. Steer exhibitors should enter the weight division they think their steer will fit.
Barn Meeting
ALL EXHIBITORS (beef cattle, dairy cattle, goat, horses & ponies, sheep and swine) must be present or represented. Barn meetings will be held on Saturday, July 23rd at 8:00 AM in the Kent Building. Dairy cattle exhibitors will have a barn meeting on Monday, July 26th at 10:00 AM in the Schabinger Pavilion.
Livestock Extravaganza
All 1st and 2nd place market animals in the Beef Cattle, Meat Goat, Sheep and Swine departments will participate in the Livestock Extravaganza which will be held Tuesday, July 26th at 8:00 PM in the Kent Building. Grand Champion and Reserve Champion in each species will be announced at that time.
Health Regulations for Delaware Livestock Shows
Cattle
All cattle are subject to inspection for good general health upon presentation for admission. No animals are eligible for entry from herds where an infectious or contagious disease is present (i.e. pink eye, ringworm, pneumonia, etc). Any animal showing any signs of any contagious or infectious disease shall be asked to leave the grounds. All cattle from outside the state of Delaware must be accompanied by an interstate health certificate issued by their private veterinarian within thirty (30) days of arrival into Delaware and approved by their State Veterinarian. This document shall identify each animal and be kept with the animal(s) at all times. Additionally, for your own protection, it is strongly recommended that all cattle receive at least one dose of shipping fever vaccine not less than fifteen (15) days prior to entry.
Goats
All goats are subject to inspection for good general health upon presentation for admission. No goats are eligible for admission where an infectious or contagious disease is present (i.e. ring worm, pink eye, foot rot, sore mouth, etc). Animals exhibiting signs of external parasites, fungal infections, or abscesses will also not be eligible for entry. All goats must have official scrapie identification. This identification may be by official scrapie eartag, scrapie tattoo, breed registry tattoo, or microchip. This identification requirement also applies to market, regardless of age. Any animal showing signs of a contagious or infectious disease will be asked to leave the grounds. Goats from out-of-state must be accompanied by an interstate health certificate issued by their private veterinarian and approved by their State Veterinarian within thirty (30) days of arrival into Delaware. The document shall be kept with the animal at all times and available for inspection upon request.
Sheep
All sheep are subject to inspection for good general health upon presentation for admission. No animals are eligible for entry from flocks where an infectious or contagious disease is present (i.e. pink eye, ringworm, sore mouth, foot rot, etc). All females and intact males must have official scrapie identification. This identification may be by official scrapie eartag, scrapie tattoo, breed registry tattoo, or microchip. This identification requirement also applies to market ewe lambs regardless of age. Any animal showing signs of a contagious or infectious disease will be asked to leave the grounds.
Sheep from out-of-state must be accompanied by an interstate health certificate issued by their private veterinarian within thirty (30) days of arrival into Delaware and approved by their State Veterinarian. This document shall be kept with the animal(s) at all times. This health certificate shall identify each animal and state that the flock is free of any infectious or contagious disease including sore mouth and foot rot and there has been no evidence of scrapie within the past year.
Swine
All swine are subject to inspection for good general health upon presentation for admission. No swine are eligible for exhibition where any infectious of contagious disease is present (i.e. pig pox, ring worm, atrophic rhinitis, etc). Any animals infected with external parasites will also be ineligible for entry. Any animal showing signs of a contagious or infectious disease will be asked to leave the grounds.
Out-of-state swine must be from a Pseudo rabies monitored or qualified negative herd or be from a stage V or pseudo rabies free state. Out-of-state swine shall be accompanied by an interstate health certificate issued by their private veterinarian within thirty (30) days and approved by their State Veterinarian. This document shall identify each animal and be kept with the animal(s) at all times.
Out-of-State Animals
An official health certificate from the state of origin, signed by an accredited veterinarian, must accompany all animals from outside the State of Delaware. The health certificate must contain the name and address of the owner, an accurate identification by eartag, registration number, or tattoo of each animal and indicate the health status of the animal(s), including results of any required tests. Health certificates must be valid for thirty (30) days after issuance. This health certificate must be kept available at all times.
Dairy Cattle Association – Show Ring of Ethics
Adopted by PDCA in March 1969; Revised March 1971, February 1977, February 1982, February 1986, February 1988, February 1989, February 1992, February 1993, and November 1995.
The showing of registered dairy cattle is an important part of the promotion, merchandising, and breeding program of many breeders. Additionally, it is an important part of the program of the various dairy breed associations to stimulate and sustain interest in breeding registered dairy cattle. This relates to both spectators and exhibitors. In this connection, The Purebred Dairy Cattle Association believes that it is in the best interest of breeders of registered dairy cattle to maintain a reputation of integrity and to present a wholesome and progressive image of their cattle in the show ring.
PDCA endorses this Code of Ethics in all breed shows and will give full cooperative support to the judges and the respective national breed associations to keep show procedures within these guidelines. It is recognized that there are certain practices in the proper care and management of dairy cattle which are necessary in the course of moving dairy cattle to and between shows that are advisable to keep them in a sound, healthy state so they might be presented in the show ring in a natural, normal condition. Conversely, the following practices or procedures are considered unacceptable in the showing of cattle.
The following major violations are considered fraudulent or unethical and will be reported to the respective breed associations and show management and can result in animals or exhibitors being barred from showing in their respective breed shows:
1. Misrepresenting the age and/or milk status of the animal for the class in which it is shown.
2. Treating the animal, particularly the udder, internally or externally, with an irritant or counter-irritant, or other substance to artificially improve the conformation.
3. Surgery or insertion of foreign material under the skin or into body cavities, performed to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal’s body, though not to preclude practices required or involved in normal management.
4. Criticizing or interfering with the judge, show management or other exhibitors while in the show ring, or other conduct detrimental to the breed or the show.
5. Challenging, threatening, or interfering with an ethics committee appointed by show management to monitor the animals on exhibit on the show grounds.
6. Excessive manipulation of hair.
The following violation is defined as unethical practices that detract from the show ring and will be given slight to serious discrimination. Exhibitors will be asked to undo or remove the manipulation before they enter the ring or the judge will give the animal discrimination in class by lowering the animal’s class rank:
1. Setting teats or manipulating a teat to alter its normal position such as to unnaturally hold it plumb or to alter its length is an unacceptable practice.
The following minor violations are considered to detract from the image of the show when carried to excess and will be given slight to moderate discrimination by the judge when placing animals:
1. Improper fitting practices such as overfilling and over bagging
2. Use of artificial hair except for false switches.
3. Mistreatment of an animal.
4. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of showmen.
Practices which should be encouraged to enhance the image of the show:
1. Establish uniform dress code for exhibitors in the show ring.
2. Recognize good herdsmanship and exhibits in the barn. In keeping with the basic philosophy of the PDCA, ethics are an individual responsibility of the owner of each animal shown.
Violations of these policies are subject to the disciplinary provisions of the appropriate dairy breed association and/or show management.
Livestock Tagging
If you intend to show your animal in a Jr. Market Show Class (including steers, lambs, swine and goats) the animal MUST be tagged with a Delaware State Fair tag.
You MUST take your animal to be tagged at any one of the following locations as indicated in the following schedule.
- May 7th at 9:00 AM – Noon: Cook Farm in Newark
- May 7th at 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Georgetown
- May 14th at 9:00 AM – Noon: Delaware State Fairgrounds
- May 20th at 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Delaware State Fairgrounds
- May 24th at 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Delaware State Fairgrounds
For general livestock tagging questions, please contact Bob Moore (W) 698-4566 or (C) 242-3420.
2011 Livestock Judges
Beef Department
Showmanship, Market, Breed, & Feeder Calf – Nick DeChristofaro
Dairy Department
Junior Show – Steve Shaw (Color Breeds) & Mike Haines (Holstein)
Open Show – Tom Arrowsmith (Color Breeds) & Brad Garst (Holstein)
Futurity & 4-H – Matt Fry
Goat Department
Dairy – Paul Kempe
Pygmy – Erin McCarthy
Meat & Market – Jason Brashear
Horse & Pony Department
Halter & Performance – Don Coats
English – Sandy Winneich
Pony – Wendy Snyder
Poultry and Rabbit Department
Poultry Open Show – William Gladhill
Poultry Junior Show – Norman Ennis
Rabbit Show – Norman Pierce
Poultry Showmanship – Mimi Niggel
Sheep Department
Breed, Showmanship, Fitting, & Market – Rod Crome
Swine Department
Open, Breed, Showmanship, Market – Lindsey Shaffer
Superintendents
LIVESTOCK DEPARTMENT
BEEF CATTLE Department: Bill Winkler
Assistants: Shelly Winkler-Simpson, Danny Palmer
DAIRY CATTLE Department: William Vanderwende
Assistants: G. Robert Moore, Jesse Vanderwende
GOAT Department: Mark Davis
Assistants: Karen Gouge, Tammy Riggins, Wende Davis, Russ Neal
HORSE & PONY Department: Dave Wilson
Assistants: Kay Betts
SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR: R. Bruce Betts
POULTRY & RABBIT Department: Mike Wasylkowski
Assistants: Sandra Evans, Mary Brown
SHEEP Department: Harry Raughley
Assistants: Debbie Vanderwende, Jimmy Warren
SWINE Department: Debbie Hearn
Assistants: John Tigner with Carolyn Jernigan as Show Secretary and Cristine Eskridge as Asst. Show Secretary
NON-LIVESTOCK DEPARTMENT
4-H Department: Doug Crouse
Assistants: Mary Argo, Katie Daley Jones, Susan Garey, Kristin Cook, Mark Manno, Mallory Vogl
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION / FFA Department: Donald Bullock
Assistants: Holly Hufford, Mark Breeding
ARTS & CRAFTS Department: Joanne Clark
Assistants: Judy Aldrich, Chuck Aldrich, Lorie Mumaw, Ann Spillane, Joyce Webb, Wende Lowe, Joyce Wade
CHILDREN’S Department: Sharon Bean
Assistants: Doris Calhoun, Donna Faye Carter, Erica Knight, Becky Conley, Kendra Sclabach,, Mildred Reed, Chelsea Wooters, Cindy Evans
CULINARY Department: Connie Howell, Judi Leaming
Assistants: Dawn Webb, Tammy Geidel, Nancy Green, John Jackson, Mary Jackson, Connie Louder, Mary Pyott, Patricia Zabel, Laura Nailor
DOVER BUILDING: Chuck Ivins
FARM, FRUIT & APIARY Department: Bob Messick
Assistants: Ron Breeding, Breck Vanderwende
FLOWER Department: Susan Krabill
Assistants: Andy & Ken Ham, Aubrey Krabill, Devon Lofland, Sydney Young-Riggi, Tony Riggi, Teresa Murphy, Greg Murphy, Sherry Scuse, Bill Vogel
GARDEN VEGETABLE Department: Kenneth McIlvain
Assistants: Faith Argo, Debbie Bennett, Richard Bennett, Yolonda Messick, Jean Williamson, Joe Williamson, Richard Argo
GRANDSTAND: Ron Hatfield
Assistants: Josef A. Burger, Tony Richardson, Bob Taylor
KIDZ ZONE: Valerie Burd
NEEDLEWORK Department: Betty Louise Myers
Honorary Superintendent: Anne Minner, Betty Lou Gooden
Assistants: Clay Beauchamp, Jeannie Callaway, Karen Heyd, Jennifer Menard, Susan Shank, Amy Hrupsa, Dana Sharpe
MACHINERY Area: James Messick
Assistant: John Short
Junior Exhibitor Scholarship
The Harrington Business Association annually awards a scholarship to be known as the “Delaware State Fair Junior Exhibitor Scholarship.” The minimum amount of this award will be $500.
GUIDELINES:
1. Applicant must be a Delaware resident.
2. Applicant must plan to enroll full-time in an institution of higher learning recognized by the Delaware Post Secondary Education Association for the academic year 2010-2011. An out-of state school similarly recognized is acceptable. Applicants may be either high school seniors or those planning to enroll as a sophomore, junior, or senior in an institution of higher learning.
3. Applicant must have been a Junior Exhibitor at the Delaware State Fair for at least two years.
4. Applicant must have achieved recognition for excellence in a Delaware State Fair Junior Exhibitor program (i.e., ribbon winner, award winner, etc.). FFA and 4-H programs are included.
5. Describe your general high school or college record (include GPA) and school-related activities. Indicate any notable accomplishments.
6. Describe your involvement in non-school or non-college related activities (youth groups, work experiences, or independent activities). Indicate any notable accomplishments.
7. List a review of your participation in the Delaware State Fair as a Junior Exhibitor, including number of years of participation and any notable accomplishments. Include a list of your entries in the 2011 Delaware State Fair.
8. Applicant must prepare a 500 words or less essay on the theme: “What value have my experiences as a Delaware State Fair Junior Exhibitor been to me?”
9. Attach to this application a letter of recommendation from the superintendent or assistant superintendent of a department in which you have entered an exhibit at the Delaware State Fair.
10. Applicant must complete entry form and required materials and mail to Secretary, Delaware State Fair, PO Box 28, Harrington, DE 19952, so that it is receieved on or before Friday, June 17, 2011.
11. In determining recipients of this scholarship award, those individuals applying who have not been a recipient of the Junior Exhibitor Scholarship in a previous year, will be given first consideration. In no event shall a recipient be awarded an annual scholarship more than three times.
The award will be a one year stipend of an amount to be determined by the Harrington Business Association at the time the scholarship recipient is announced. The minimum amount to be awarded is $500. A check, payable to the school or college, will be mailed directly to the institution.
