2010 Exhibitor Rules and Regulations
1. Exhibitors are requested to study the rules carefully as rules will be rigidly enforced. Presentation of entry form denotes acceptance of all Columbia County Fair rules by the exhibitor. Failure to follow the Exhibitor rules can result in the forfeiture of premium money and potentially the privilege to show at future Columbia County Fairs.
2. To be eligible for competition, exhibits must be entered during scheduled department entry times.
3. Entries must be made on official Columbia County Fair entry forms. Entry forms must state exhibitor’s name, address, telephone, date, class and lot numbers, and must have the exhibitor’s hand written signature. Wrong numbers may cause entry to be disqualified. Required fees must accompany entry forms if applicable. Entry deadlines are listed under each Department’s Rules.
4. The Fair Board or its Administrator reserves the right to limit entries based on the facilities available, and to limit the number of entries by any one exhibitor. Columbia County residents meeting entry deadlines will be given registration priority. The Fair Board or its Administrator reserves the right to reassign exhibits to alternative categories or return entries and cancel any class or lot in which, in its judgment, the entries are insufficient to provide adequate competition.
5. Individual articles that are entered as a set can’t be divided up and also compete for single premiums
6. No animal or article will be assigned a place until after entry forms have been properly completed.
7. All entry tags shall be securely attached to stall, pen, shelf or receptacle.
8. Entries must be in place and must be removed only at the schedule times; any exception to this rule shall be at the discretion of the Fair Board or its Administrator and could cause forfeit of premium monies.
9. Articles for competition may be entered only by the owners. Grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy products must have been raised by the exhibitors during the past year, except where stated in the department rules.
10.Animals or articles owned and exhibited by members of a family sharing the same address shall not be deemed as competition in the Open Class.
11.Every article in the competition must correspond to the number and description in the premium list. No entry or registration changes are permitted after Judge’s have completed their Judge’s Books.
12.Fees will be forfeited on entries made and not exhibited.
13.Entry clerks shall retain possession of entry books during Fair and allow no inspection except by a person authorized by the Fair Board. Clerk Books and all records MUST be returned to the Fair Office on the last day of Fair. NO EXCEPTIONS.
15.Exhibitors are limited to two premiums in any such class.
16.Awards shall be designated by colors as follows: 1st – blue, 2nd – red, 3rd – white.
17.Department Superintendents are not eligible to enter in their Department for Judging, but are encouraged to display for “show” their articles or animals.
18.All non-animal departments will be closed to the public during judging. No person shall be allowed to interfere with Judges during the judging, or with the Fair Office, or to offer any criticism of exhibits. Violators of this rule shall be excluded immediately from the judging area and from competition, and be subject to such additional penalties, including cancellation of awards, as the Fair Board or its Administrator may consider proper.
19.If available, the first bedding for livestock barns will be furnished by the Columbia County Fair. All livestock must be double tied in stalls Livestock may NOT be bedded outside the barns.
20.Protests may be filed by exhibitors in writing to the Columbia County Fair Board within 24 hours of the judging. Any protest must be accompanied by a $20.00 deposit, a sum which will be forfeited if the protest is not sustained. Protests shall be adjudicated by the Fair Board or its Administrator.
21.All award sheets must be signed by the Judge’s and the Department Superintendent before delivery to the Fair Office.
22.Special awards may be offered to entries in some classes that have not been publicized.
23.All premiums and claims not called for within 14 days after the last day of the Fair will be forfeited back to the premium accounts of the Friends of the Fair and Columbia County.
24.Exhibitors participate at their own risk. The Fair Board or its Administrator will provide assistance toward recovery of any exhibit which is damaged, destroyed, stolen or lost but shall not be liable for any damages. Exhibitors agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Columbia County, the Columbia County Fair, its officers, employees and agents, both privately and in the official capacity from any and all damages, liability or injuries. Exhibitors must remove exhibits within designated release times. Items left after the closure of the exhibition will be at the owner’s risk.
25.The Fair Board reserves the right of nonpayment of all premiums or a percentage deduction of all premiums, won by the exhibitors when, on account of inclement weather or other unforeseeable circumstances, finances of the fair are insufficient to pay premiums either in partial or full payment.
26.Publishing the exhibitor information and premium payout will be the responsibility of the Fair Office.
27.Premiums will not be awarded to articles or animals of inferior merit even though there may be no competition.
28.No “For Sale” signs shall be allowed on exhibit articles or livestock during the week of Fair. The only sale of animals shall be through the Livestock Auction Committee.
29.Professionals, including teachers, judges, instructors, advisors and owners/operators/demonstrators engaged in business relating to their area of exhibit, or those who sell their items for more than cost, must enter “Professional” sections.
30.The Friends of Fair and Columbia County have developed a premium fund which is distributed for Open Class Awards. Premium amounts are determined jointly by the Friends of Fair and Columbia County as funds are made available.
31.There shall be no modifications or improvements to Fair property without written permission from the Fair Board. Fair related improvements shall first go through each Department Superintendent.
32.No Food or drink will be allowed in the barns & petting zoo area. It is highly recommended that all bottles, pacifiers, and other drink containers be put away before entering the barns. We recommend washing your hands before eating and when leaving the barns or petting zoo area.
