3
GENERAL AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
4-H Project Rules
1. Eligibility: Exhibitors in the divisions of this department must be bona fide members of Colorado 4-H
whose project work and records are certified and up-to-date and deemed eligible by the appropriate
Extension specialist. In addition, exhibitors must be at least eight years of age, must not have reached
their 19th birthday as of December 31 of the current enrollment year, and must satisfy other eligibility
requirements (if specified) for a class, to compete in that class. (The project work must be the
member’s own work. Sources must be cited. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.)
2. 4-H members may enter only once in the same class.
3. Members must be enrolled in the project (which may be broken down into units, levels, or categories) in
which they exhibit.
4. Only one exhibit in each class will be accepted from each county. Projects entered in the wrong class
will be moved to the correct class when possible.
5. In the case of projects that are to be taken sequentially, if a member enrolls in two units of the
same project in the same year and shows mastery in a lower-level unit, they are expected to
exhibit in the higher-level unit. Exceptions to this rule will be stated in applicable project’s rules.
6. 4-H e-Records may be completed in pencil, ink, or by computer. The choice will not affect judging.
7. Display boards must meet the specifications and should fold flat for transport. The standardized display
board size of 4ft. x 3ft. is to be used. No sharp items including but not limited to blades, thumb
tacks, fishing hooks, knives, etc. are allowed on display boards or as part of any other exhibit.
8. Projects are divided into Junior, Intermediate, and Senior age groups. The age range for Juniors is 8–
10, Intermediates is 11–13, and Seniors is 14–18 years as of December 31 of the current 4-H year.
9. Exhibit entries will be done online in FairEntry. The Extension specialist is to enter each exhibit online
with a description.
10. Each exhibit and binder/notebook (containing the e-Record and other materials) is to have a FairEntry
label (Avery 5161) designating the following: exhibitor name, county name, department, division, class,
and age. The label needs to be on the upper right-hand front outside of the binder/notebook. An
entry card printed from FairEntry needs to be on the exhibit (usually the back of the exhibit or
on the flap). Read special instructions about tags for some exhibits. For example, ceramics, clothing,
leathercraft, heritage arts, etc. have specific instructions. All exhibits must be accompanied by a
complete label and entry card. For security reasons, do not list the member address on projects.
11. Exhibit entries are to be entered by 5 pm on Monday, August 5, through FairEntry. Each county will be
assigned a time to bring projects to State Fair on Tuesday, August 13. Special requests for counties
with late fairs can be made to bring exhibits on Wednesday, August 14, up until 9:00am. Judging will
begin at 10:00am on August 14. Exhibits will be taken down on Tuesday, September 3. All
counties/areas need to arrive at 8:00 am to help take down and sort exhibits by county in the three 4-H
buildings before loading your exhibits into vehicles. Take down will start at 8:00 am in the Exhibit Hall
and continue through the Dining Hall and Auditorium until finished. The 4-H buildings will be swept,
closed, and locked by 12:30pm. Exhibits left after 12:30pm will be the responsibility of the county. Note:
we can also use help counting ribbons left over for our ribbon inventory.
12. All Champion, Reserve Champion, and placing award exhibits must be displayed and remain on display
for the duration of the state fair.
13. Any exhibit released for a special activity during the state fair must be returned for display.
14. Management will not be responsible for loss or damage to exhibits, although it will use all care to
ensure their safety.
15. Exhibits of unusual size or shape may not be on public display. Exhibitor cards and ribbons will be
displayed in project areas. Projects may not be displayed if there is a safety, health, or space issue.
16. Unless otherwise stated in the project requirements, projects will be evaluated on the quality of the
information completed in the e-Record (25 percent) and the quality of the exhibit (75 percent).