Your Porter County 4-H staff is here to help make your fair experience as smooth as possible. If you have any questions that aren’t answered below, contact 4-H Operations Manager Angel Leuck at amleuck@purdue.edu or Extension Educator Jennifer Myers at myersjn@purdue.edu.
Fairgrounds Clean-Up
Saturday, July 11th will be clean-up day at the fairgrounds beginning at 8:00 a.m. Please plan to volunteer a little time to help prepare the 4-H Building and livestock barns for this year’s fair. Many hands make light work!
4-H Schedule of Pre-Fair & Fair Events
This year’s schedule of pre-fair and fair time 4-H events and activities can be found here Fair Schedule!
Fair Passes & Exhibit Tags
While 4-Her fair passes and exhibit tags will be available on exhibit check-in night, we welcome you to stop by the 4-H Building office at the Fairgrounds and pick them up early! We’ll have them ready and available on Thursday, July 16th or Friday, July 17th (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). Stop by and pick up your fair passes and exhibit tags. **You must bring your General Record Sheet to hand in to obtain your Fair Pass and Exhibit Tags.**
4-H Exhibit Requirements/Handbook
In addition to the handbook pages that are specifically for your project(s), be sure to review pages 1-20 of the handbook as well. These introductory pages include lots of information that is particularly important at fair time. The Exhibition Policy, Poster Policy, Judging Policy, etc. are located in the opening pages of the handbook. Don’t be surprised at the fair; know the rules in advance by reading your handbook. Did you know your exhibit grade can be lowered one letter grade if you don’t leave a 3-3/4” x 4” space in the lower right corner of your poster for the entry tag? Did you know that if you do not meet the exhibit requirements for the level you’re enrolled in you will be lowered one grade? Did you know you can be subject to disciplinary penalties and/or dismissal from the program if you (or your parents!) violate the Behavioral Expectations? Be sure to read and understand your handbook so you’re prepared for fair! (Download the handbook at 2026 Handbook ).
Exhibit Check-In
Check-in for most (NOT ALL—see fair schedule for details) exhibits is Monday, July 20th from 5:00-7:30 (please enter at the SOUTH END of the building). If you are unable to attend exhibit check-in, please make arrangements with someone to check your exhibits in for you.
Mini 4-H Check-In
Mini 4-H check-in is TUESDAY, July 21st from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the NORTH END of the 4-H Building.
Season Fair Passes for 4-H Parents & Volunteers
Reduced-price passes will be available for 4-H parents and volunteers on Monday of project check-in in Expo East in the Fair Office (next door to the 4-H Building). The reduced-rate of $40 applies only to 4-H parents and officially enrolled volunteers and you will not be able to purchase extra passes at the reduced rate.
Ride Deals for 4-Hers
4-Hers are eligible for one all-day discounted ride pass to be used on whatever day they choose. Ride all day for just $20! The special 4-H pass MUST BE PURCHASED in the FAIR OFFICE in Expo East.
Fair Results – Available Online!
As fair exhibit results become official, they will be posted at https://fairentry.com/Fair/Results/23771 Bookmark it and share it.
Exhibit Check-Out (Note time change)
Check-out of 4-H Building exhibits is Sunday, August 2nd from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Your project exhibits are YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. If you are unable to attend check-out, you must make arrangements with someone else to pick your exhibits up for you.
State Fair Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Monday, August 3: All State Fair exhibits, excluding Baked and Preserved Food and Gardening, will be transported to the Indiana State Fair.
Monday, August 10th: Foods and Gardening exhibits must be checked in at the 4-H Building between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.
Tuesday, August 24th: All State Fair projects will return and must be picked up between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m. at the 4-H Building.
Please note: Transportation of projects is a service provided by the Extension Staff and sponsored by the 4-H Council. Exhibitors of large, heavy, or particularly fragile exhibits may be responsible for transporting their own exhibits to the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Projects not picked up at the specified time will be recycled, repurposed, or disposed of.
Porter County 4-H Hub 