Fair entry rules

  • LIMITATIONS -- Exhibitors in the Morgan County Junior Progress Fair are limited in age to those persons who have attained their eighth birthday before September 1, 2021 or are in the third grade and those who have not reached their 19th birthday before September 1, 2021, except for those classes open to adults. Only those who have reached their 19th birthday by September 1, 2021 may enter in adult classes.

    State Rule Governing Junior Age Requirements
    Junior classes are eligible for premium State aid only if they are open to boys and girls who are 8 years of age or in the third grade and not yet 21 years of age on or before September 1 of the year previous to the fair. All animals (i.e., individual, herd or flock classes) shown in junior classes must be the property of the boys and girls showing them. If the same animals are shown in both the open classes and junior classes, they shall be shown under the same exhibitor’s name (for example, the father is not permitted to show an animal in the open class and the son or daughter to show the same animal in the junior classes). (Section 260.95)(I. E., can be 21 on or after September 1 of the year previous to the fair.)
  • Entries must be made with the secretary by Noon on Saturday, July 2, 2022. No entries accepted postmarked after midnight, June 30, 2022. Online entries must be made by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 1, 2022.

    Entries will not be accepted without payment of fees.

    Rules Governing Junior Fair Entry Fees
    The State is requiring that each county collect entry fees for ALL JUNIOR FAIR CLASSES at the time the fair participants make their entries. This replaces the old system where the entry fee was deducted from the exhibitor’s check. If exhibitors place, they will receive the total amount of money designated for that placing in each class.
     All exhibitors MUST purchase a season pass except youth exhibitors and those exhibiting in the Handicapped Department.
    Social Security Numbers are required.
  • The Fair Office will be open for entries Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1: 9 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays (June 18, June 25, and July 2: 9:00 a.m. - noon. The Fair Office will be closed July 4. The Fair Office is located at the south side of the fairgrounds on Grand Avenue.
  • Each Junior exhibitor will be limited to two entries in a class in all departments, except the Culinary Department where only one (1) will be permitted. Only one entry per class will be accepted in the Adult Departments and Special Exhibits Department.
  • NOTE: The object of closing entries July 2 is to give sufficient time to provide additional stalls and pens, if necessary, and time to comply with state regulations. Fees must be paid or stall will not be provided.
  • No entries can be made in the show ring.
  • Awards will be made by the single judge system. The judge’s decision will be final.
  • All animals must be exhibited in such places at such times as the Superintendent shall decide and be ready to parade at the call of the Superintendent.
  • Should there be any unnecessary or embarassing delay in bringing animals into the show ring, the superintendent may exclude such animals from competition.
  • No premiums will be awarded to any animal or group of animals unless shown in the ring for judging.
  • When on exhibition in the ring, each animal must be under halter and/or in the charge of owner or other junior exhibitor. Only one exhibitor per animal will be permitted in the ring.
  • Stall rent may be returned only upon withdrawal of entry on or before the closing date for receiving entries in each department.
  • Superintendents reserve the right to place animals in their proper classes, if necessary.
  • All animals must remain on fairgrounds until release or sale. Sale animals must not be removed until 4-H Auction.
  • Animals may be removed in case of disease or emergency only upon the request of the Superintendent and the consent of the Policy Committee.
  • Each livestock exhibitor must furnish his own buckets for watering and his own feed trough.
  • Exhibitors of livestock will be required to keep stalls in a neat and clean condition and space over which visitors must pass examining stock free from waste and rubbish. All stalls and pens must be cleaned before 8 a.m. each day and refuse disposed of as the superintendent may direct.
  • All washing of animals shall be done ONLY in designated areas.

REGISTRATION AND HEALTH CERTIFICATES

  • All livestock exhibited must comply with the rulings of the Department of Agriculture of the State of Illinois.
  • All purebred animals must be recorded in Exhibitor’s name only. Exhibitors must furnish registration papers and health papers to Superintendent at his call.
  • In all Purebred Classes the exhibitor will be required to furnish the proper certificates of their respective classes. Any misrepresentation of age will automatically eliminate the animal from the class.
  • Exhibitors must submit their animals for examination by the official veterinarian when so ordered by the Superintendent of the department.
  • Check the department rules for your specie for times of inspection by the Fair Veterinarian.

Times of Delivery

  • The times of delivery for your exhibits are listed in the individual department rules.
  • No livestock will be permitted on the grounds before 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 4.

Release Times

  • Release times for your exhibits are listed in the individual department rules.
  • All youth exhibits must be picked up from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 9. All adult exhibits must be picked up on Sunday, July 10 between 4pm - 5pm. The Morgan County Agricultural Fair Association will not be responsible for any exhibits left behind after pickup dates and times.
  • ANY EXHBITOR REMOVING HIS EXHIBIT BEFORE THE DESIGNATED RELEASE TIME WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE POLICY COMMITTEE WILL FORFEIT ALL PREMIUM MONEY WON.
  • All premium checks will be mailed.  
  • The Morgan County Agricultural Fair Association directors announce the Association will not be responsible to any person, individual, corporation, or association for any loss by either fire, theft, damage, or by personal injury sustained by anyone through negligence of any person or groups of persons, exhibits, or exhibitors. The Morgan County Agricultural Fair Association will give adequate police protection and will use every reasonable precaution to safeguard the public, exhibits, exhibitors, and employees, but positively will not be responsible for any of these occurrences under any circumstances.
  • The Management of the Morgan County Agricultural Fair Association reserves to its Board of Directors the final and absolute right to interpret these Rules and Regulations and settle all matters in question and differences that may arise in connection with holding, managing, or promoting the Fair. The Superintendent of each department will have charge of the department, but the Board of Directors of this Association is hereby vested with full authority to construe all Rules and Regulations of this Association.

Camping

  • Campers can be parked on the grounds, but NO utilities will be provided until Sunday, July 3 at 9:00 a.m. You must display your camping permit in the window of your camper. Campers will be checked for permits. Permits are available in the fair office.
  • Sale of camping spaces will be limited to Fair Board Members and Livestock Exhibitors until after the deadline that entries are due. After the date that entries are due, if there are any spaces available, they will be sold to the general public.

Golf Cart/Gator-type vehicles

  • Golf carts and Gator type vehicles will be permitted on the fairgrounds under the following conditions. NO four-wheelers will be permitted.
    • A permit MUST be purchased at the fair office. Cost is $10. The permit MUST be attached and visible on your vehicle.
    • Driver MUST have a valid driver's license, no exceptions.
    • A certificate showing liability insurance coverage for the vehicle must be presented to the office, or your vehicle will not be allowed on the premises.
    • Vehicle must be driven in a safe and courteous manner. Irresponsible drivers will be asked to remove the vehicle from the Morgan County Fairground property.

Morgan County Agricultural Fair Association Directors announce the Association will not be responsible to any person, individual, corporation, or association for any loss by either fire, theft, damage, or by personal injury sustained by anyone through negligence of any person or groups of persons.

Trailers

  • The off site parking for trailers will be at 501 Capital Way, Jacksonville, IL 62650. Located behind Jacksonville Warehouse Bargins.
  • All unhooked traiilers will be moved to the off site location

      • If additional information is desired, address all correspondence to Gary Hadden, General Superintendent, Morgan County Junior Fair, 1616 Old Highway 67, Jacksonville, IL 62650, or to the Superintendent of the department.