STATE FAIR EXHIBITS 

• To exhibit in the rabbit project the Rabbit Project member may choose one of the following:
  • Exhibit a live animal, meeting American Rabbit Breeders Association (A.R.B.A.) regulations or Grade (Mixed Breed), for the complete duration of the fair and participate in the rabbit show;
  • Complete and exhibit a rabbit poster in the Small Animal Barn during the complete duration of the 4H Fair;
  • Perform a Rabbit Action Demonstration during the 4-H Fair;
  • Participate in all three sections of the Rabbit Ambassador Competition.
• If an exhibitor removes their rabbit(s) or poster prior to the designated release time they will forfeit awards that they received. Early removal happens when an exhibitor removes their animal(s) from the cage(s) provided by the fair for display during the week. Animals in carrying cases or other traveling boxes prior to the official release time will be considered in violation of this rule.
• Rabbits not picked up during the checkout period become the property of the fair and will be disposed of in a manner to be determined at the time.
• In addition to the above, youth in ALL levels MUST complete Quality Assurance Training..
•  Project Manual completion is not a requirement

• 4-H member is responsible for bringing his/her own rabbits to and from the judging table.
• Only 4-H members may place rabbits on and remove them from the judging table.
• No adult, other than show staff, is allowed to assist in placing rabbits on the judging table.
• Adults, other than show staff, must remain outside the area defined as the show area.
• If a 4-H member is not present to place or remove their animal from the judging table it is the member’s responsibility to locate a substitute showman.
• A substitute showman must be another 4-H rabbit project member.
• If a member is going to use a substitute showman they MUST fill out a substitute showman form during rabbit check in and submit it to the rabbit committee during check in.

• 4-H member MUST be in possession of any rabbit which they plan to show at the current year Dubois County 4-H Fair by May 15 of the current year. In order to show possession, the youth will report their rabbits via animal livestock tab in 4-H Online by May 15. Possession means:
  • the 4-H member or their immediate family is listed as the owner of the rabbit;
  • the rabbit is housed continuously at the 4-H member’s home or farm from May 15 until the beginning of the Dubois County 4-H Fair (normal exceptions for taking animals to shows and the like are allowed;)
  • the 4-H member is the person who is the primary care giver to the rabbit on a daily basis by May 15 and continuing through the County Fair.
• 4-H rabbits sold, purchased privately, offered for sale at public auction, or traded after May 15 and prior to the Dubois County 4-H Fair, (including animals that have gone through a “Premium Only Auction”), are not eligible to show at the Dubois County 4-H Fair this year.
• Rabbits exhibited at other shows after May 15 of the current year by anyone other than the 4-H member or their immediate family will not be eligible to show at this year’s county fair.

 

NOTE: All rabbits (including meat rabbits) must be permanently marked and have a legible ear tattoo in the rabbit’s left ear.

All 4-H Exhibitors may exhibit as many rabbits by class and/or breed as long as the following is true:

1. Exhibitor is enrolled and active in 4-H Online by May 15^th.
2. Mini 4-H Exhibitor is enrolled and active in 4-H Online by May 15^th.
3. Rabbits are identified in 4-H Online by May 15^th.
4. Exhibitor has completed an Animal Quality Assurance Training. 

• No animal is to be placed into a pen until it has been health checked by rabbit committee staff.
• If any sores or any other health issues are found, the animal will be sent home immediately. If a youth has all of their pre-entered rabbits sent home for illness that youth receive a green ribbon.
• No rabbit in ill health will be allowed to be exhibited for any reason.
• The youth also has the option of participating in the project during the fair by completing one of the following:
  • exhibit a rabbit poster in the Small Animal Barn during the complete duration of the 4H Fair;
  • Perform a Rabbit Interactive Demonstration during the 4-H Fair;
  • Participate in all three sections of the Rabbit Ambassador Competition.
• Health decisions made by the rabbit check-in crew are final!

• • The judge will award each breed animal, meat animal or meat pen a green, white, red, or blue ribbon based on the quality of the animal as defined by the standard for that breed as published in the Standard of Perfection which is published by the A.R.B.A.
  • The judge will award each Grade (mixed breed) a green, white, red, or blue ribbon based on the quality of the animal.
  • Within each breed class a Champion and a Reserve Champion of Breed Animal will be selected. Each Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded with a ribbon and plaque and placed in Champion Row.
  • Best Four Class and Six Class Animal will be selected from the best of breed animals and awarded with a ribbon and plaque.
  • The grade (mixed breed) rabbit WILL NOT be awarded with a Six Class Championship and Best of Show award.
  • The best Four Class and Six Class winners will be awarded with a Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Ribbon and award.
  • The animal selected as Best in Show will be selected from four and six class Grand Champions. The Best of Show Animal will be awarded with a Plaque and Ribbon and the other will be awarded with a Reserve Best of Show Plaque and ribbon.
  • The two best meat animal(s) in each meat class will be selected with the first place animal(s) receiving a champion ribbon and the second place animal(s) receiving a reserve champion ribbon.
  • Of the Meat Rabbit class, a Champion and Reserve Champion will be awarded for each meat class with a plaque and ribbon.
    • Selection of all placings will be based upon A.R.B.A. standards as set forth in the "Standard of Perfection" and judge’s discretion.
    • If the judge feels the animals eligible for any particular placing/award are not of acceptable quality the judge at his/her discretion may choose to not select a winner of that particular placing/award, regardless of what that particular placing/award is.
    • The judge at his/her discretion has the right to change any placing/award at any time before the Best of Show animal is selected.
    • All decisions of the show staff and judge become final at the moment that the Best of Show animal has been selected.

   

• Exhibitors are personally responsible to maintain clean pens and keep an attractive exhibit throughout the fair. Waste bedding should be dumped in the location directed and not in the trash barrels.
• Exhibitors who desire wire bottom cages should construct their own false bottoms 20”x20” and raise them 2-3” off the floor of the cage. These can also be purchased from various rabbit supply companies.
• Meat pen rabbits will be housed in a single pen.
• Exhibitor is to provide their own water and feed bowls as well as their own feed. Water is available outside the barn but exhibitor will need to bring something to transport water to the cage in.
• Exhibitor should provide their own bedding.
• Caution: please consider travel time and weather conditions when preparing to transport your rabbits to the fair. Be sure to give them plenty of air and do not let them sit out in the sun for any time.

• Mini 4-H members in grades K-2 will be allowed to show, work with, or care for animal projects after their parent or legal guardian have signed a liability release. (Contact Extension Office for more details at 482-1782).
• One rabbit may be shown per child.
• All Mini/Exploring exhibitors should sign up for showmanship via FairEntry before check in or at check in.
• Mini/Exploring exhibitors may choose to show a rabbit already enrolled by an older sibling for the regular show or they may choose to bring a different animal from home.
• If the youth choose to bring a rabbit from home it must be brought in approximately during rabbit check in on Sunday before fair and kept all week at fair until check out at the end of fair.
• Remark card will be filled out when signing in for the show. (Follow all rabbit requirements in 4-H Handbook).
• Mini/Exploring 4-H members are not eligible to show in any of the meat classes.
• All classes will be judged according to ages and weights as established by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.
• In addition to showing a rabbit, all mini/exploring 4-H members are also eligible to submit a poster to be exhibited for the duration of the fair.
• Mini/Exploring 4-H rabbits and posters are not eligible for exhibition at the Indiana State Fair.

 

• ALL POSTERS need to be turned in on check in day for the exhibit buildings. DO NOT turn any posters in at animal check ins.
• A reserve champion poster and champion poster will be selected in each level.
• Each reserve champion poster will receive a reserve champion ribbon and each champion poster will receive a champion ribbon.
• Rabbit Poster Champions are eligible for Grand Champion, but it will be up to the discretion of the judge if Grand Champion is awarded.
• The champion from each level will be eligible to exhibit at the Indiana State Fair.
• See General Exhibit and Label Attachment Instructions for further poster details.

 

Interactive Demonstration is a fun way to share what you have learned with others and to expose the general public to the fun of raising rabbits.  An interactive demonstration is given in an informal setting in the Small Animal Barn during the fair and does not require a formally prepared speech.  Youth will be given a table to stand behind and from which they can show their rabbit and any other props they need.  Keep in mind that you will be talking to people about rabbits as they pass through on their way to other things at the fair so you will generally only have 3- 5 minutes with any one person.

THIS IS NOT A JUDGED EVENT

• All youth in grades 3-12 are eligible to give an Interactive Demonstration
• Youth must be actively talking with spectators for at least 30 minutes to be considered as having participated.
• Sign-ups for interactive demos will start during rabbit check-in and can be scheduled throughout the week with the coordinator.
• Scheduling is done on a first come-first served basis.
• Interactive Demos given by a rabbit member must be about a rabbit topic.
• Posters on your topic are encouraged but are not required.
• An easel will be provided if you use posters.
• Interactive demonstration is an optional way to participate in the Rabbit Project.

• All youth in grades 3-12 are eligible to give an Interactive Demonstration
• Youth must be actively talking with spectators for at least 30 minutes to be considered as having
participated.
• Sign-ups for interactive demos will start during rabbit check-in and can be scheduled throughout the
week with the coordinator.
• Scheduling is done on a first come-first served basis.
• Interactive Demos given by a rabbit member must be about a rabbit topic.
• Posters on your topic are encouraged but are not required.
• An easel will be provided if you use posters.
• Interactive demonstration is an optional way to participate in the Rabbit Project.

Poster Guidelines

All poster exhibits must be 22" x 28", displayed horizontally, and have a stiff backing (corrugated cardboard or foam core board preferred) and be covered with clear cellophane, plastic or in poster bag unless otherwise stated in project requirements. Quiz Boards are not considered posters and do not require a clear covering. Leave space in the lower right hand corner of poster for project label affixed outside of covering. (Poster board, foam core board, and poster bags are available at the Extension Office at cost.) 

Leave space on exhibit for label. Label size is 2 7/8” wide x 5 ½” long and will be attached in readily visible position.

References:  All posters, notebooks, display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H member’s exhibit.  This reference list should/might include web site links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc.  It is recommended this reference list be attached to the back of a poster or display board, be the last page of a notebook, or included as part of the display visible to the public.  The judge will not discredit an exhibit for the manner in which references are listed.

 

All pictures and wall hangings, etc. should be ready to hang or display. Use strong hangers (not can tabs) attached with nails or screws (not glue or tape) or provide a suitable stand. Label the stand with your name.

 

Exhibit labels supplied by the office are to be attached securely. There may be specific other instructions for certain projects. See individual project requirements for these instructions. Be sure all exhibit items can be identified with 4-H member name and 4-H club. i.e. notebooks, exhibits with multiple items, etc. Be sure all parts of your exhibit have your name on them.

Secrets of a Successful Poster
A successful poster will:
· Catch the eye of the passerby
· Be simple and clear
· Impress an idea or a fact upon the viewer
· Stimulate the viewer to support your idea, get more information, or take appropriate action.
· Have space left over—Posters that are uncluttered are easier to read.

An effective poster: attracts attention, focuses on a main interest or idea, and motivates you.

Planning A Poster
A poster should have one main idea. Have the reason clearly in mind before you start.
· Consider who your viewer will be
· Decide what you want them to know
· Decide what you want them to do
· Think of a clever theme or slogan
· Limit your effort to one main idea
· Make a small rough sketch
· Visual communication is an aid to what you are trying to teach with your project.

Choosing Colors
Color combinations affect how easily the message is read and the overall appearance of the poster.
· Consider the Contrast: This means you use dark letters on a light background, and light letters on a dark background.
· Let the most important items be the most important color.
· Colors that are close to the background shade will not show up well and cannot be read at a distance.
· Avoid using too many different colors. Two or three should be sufficient. You don’t want to overwhelm your main point!
· Avoid putting red and green next to each other—this is hard to focus on if a person is colorblind.
· Avoid bright neon colors—they may catch the eye, but they are hard to focus on.

Lettering
· Lower case letters are easier to read than all CAPITALS. Use capitals only for emphasizing an important phrase or word to give variety.
· Save fancy or script lettering for catching the attention of the viewer.
· When hand lettering, always use guidelines. Using a ruler, lightly pencil in straight lines that can be erased when your poster is complete.
· Letters may be cutout and glued on, or precut letters may be purchased.
· Keep written material to a minimum. Use only headings, captions and signs necessary to tell the story.

Use different size lettering for items of varying importance.
· Allow margins to keep things from running together and looking too cluttered.
· Below is a table of letter sizes and their effectiveness:

*Ask your parents, 4-H Leader, or older 4-H member to look at your poster and tell you what they think.

Revise-Re-Do-Rearrange
1. Cut out all your letters, pictures and graphics.
2. Draw guidelines and place or draw in letters.
3. Lay all your pieces of your poster out on the poster board.
4. Ask yourself, “How does it look?”
5. Revise and rearrange as needed. Re-Do anything that should be a different size or color.
6. Move things around until you are happy with the overall effect and message of your poster.
7. Glue everything in place.
9. Remember—NEATNESS COUNTS!