4-H at the Clinton County Fair

Across the state, one of the sure signs of summer is the county fair. Whether you’re there for a sweet treat, a whirling ride or a chance to win a giant prize, the fair is a favorite summer pastime in communities throughout NYS. But for thousands of young people in the state, the fair is more than just a pastime; it’s the best week of the year. 

Each year, for one week in July, 4-H youth in Clinton County have the opportunity to showcase the projects they've been working on at the Clinton County Fair. The public is invited to visit the fair and see the incredible work being done by youth in the 4-H program.

Dates: July 13-18, 2026

Fair Highlights:

• 4-H Livestock Shows
• 4-H Dairy Bar
• Public Presentations
• And much more!

4-H Competitions:

The 4-H competitions provide a platform for youth to display their hard work in various categories. The animal competitions include:

• Dairy and beef cattle and showmanship
• Goats
• Sheep
• Poultry
• Rabbits
• Dogs
• Small Animals
• Swine
• Horses

In addition to animal competitions, youth also exhibit their projects in areas such as:

• Horticulture
• STEM
• Food & Nutrition
• Art
• Photography
• Clothing & Textiles
• And more!

Project Judging Day

All youth showing projects on Project Judging Day, Saturday, July 11, must register their projects first. Please reach out to Chelsea if you have any questions.

Danish Judging System

All 4-H exhibits are evaluated using the Danish Judging system. This means that each project or animal is judged against a standard, rather than compared to another participant’s work. The evaluation is based on three categories:

• Blue (Excellent): The workmanship shows little need for improvement.
• Red (Good): The workmanship is satisfactory or average, with some areas for improvement.
• White (Worthy): The workmanship shows that a worthy effort has been made, but there is significant room for improvement.

Judging as an Educational Experience

Judging is meant to be an educational experience, teaching youth standards of excellence and motivating them to improve. It provides an opportunity for young people to set their own personal standards and learn how to enhance their work.

Above all, it’s important to remember that “the process is more important than the product.” – Margaret Wyli

We look forward to seeing the creativity, dedication, and hard work of our 4-H youth at the Clinton County fair.

The 4-H Fair Schedule: 4-H Events at the Clinton County Fair

FAIR BUILDING CLEAN UP DAY: Sunday, July 19 from 10 am-1 pm

Last updated June 17, 2026