We welcome your suggestions and criticism, providing they are constructive, as to how we can improve the fair or help us to make this the greatest county fair in the area. We personally invite you to come to the Boone County Fair either as an exhibitor or as a spectator and we will do our best to make your visit a pleasant one, and we promise fair treatment to everyone.

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Exhibitors having Lifetime Passes do NOT have to buy an Exhibitor’s Ticket

 

There shall be a limit of two exhibitor tickets per ex­hib­itor EX­CEPT nonlivestock. Exhibitor tickets include 4-H.

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IN NON LIVESTOCK CLASSES EACH EXHIBITOR SHALL BE LIMITED TO ONE EXHIBITOR’S TICKET, 4-H PASS.

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ENTRIES MUST BE MADE WITH ONLY ONE EXHIBITOR AND ONE DEPARTMENT FOR EACH ENTRY BLANK. IF MORE BLANKS ARE NEEDED PLEASE USE A PLAIN SHEET OF PAPER TO MAKE ENTRIES, OR MAKE A COPY OF THE ENTRY BLANK FORM FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ENTRY BLANK YOU NEED. SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ARE REQUIRED BY THE STATE.

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All premium checks MUST be picked up on Sunday, August 13th. No checks will be mailed out. Be sure and sign your premium statement. No checks will be issued without your signature on the premium statement.

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Please be advised that the Boone County Fair Association, as a not-for-profit corporation, is required by State law to turn over all unclaimed premiums to the Unclaimed Property Division of the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office. Therefore, any unclaimed premiums as of January 1st of the year following the fair will no longer be available for payment by the fair association. Collection of said premiums will need to be pursued by the payee through the State Treasurer at icash.illinoistreasurer.gov.

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All Livestock Exhibitors, ages 11 & older, must purchase one Exhibitor’s ticket when entry is made.

 

The gates will close at 12:00 midnight. No one will be allowed on the fairgrounds after closing, without a valid BCF pass. Violators will be subject to prosecution.

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*** NO DOGS ALLOWED ON THE GROUNDS! ***

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CANCELLATION

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The Board of Directors reserves the right to cancel any and all events and premiums in case of a calamity, storms, or any unavoidable circumstances which make such action advisable in the opinion of the Directors.

 

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

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1. Superintendents of Classes, under direction of the Officers of the Fair, and awarding committee will take charge, arrange, and schedule all classes, animals and articles entered for exhibit, and will assist Judges and attach ribbons designating awards, namely first, blue ribbon; second, red ribbon. They will personally, and in writing, report awards to the Secretary.

2. The Secretary’s books will be open to receive mailed entries at any time, but mailed entries must be postmarked before midnight, Saturday, July 15th. Send entries to Susan Banks, P.O. Box 97, Belvidere, IL 61008, any questions please call Susan at 815-871-1060, except where specified. For those wishing to make entries in person, the entries will be taken in the Administration Bldg., on the fairgrounds, and will be open on Saturday, July 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and also Sunday, July 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

3. All animals entered for premiums must be on the grounds by 4:00 p.m. (DST) Thursday, August 10th, and all Swine must be in by Noon (12 pm) Tuesday, August 8th.

4. In case of articles or livestock not worthy to compete for premiums, and entered for the purpose of shelter and care, the Asso­­ciation will assess a fee of $5.00 per head per day for each animal entered, and $1.00 per day for each article. The decision as to merits of any animal or article in question shall be put up to the Super­intendent and Judge of the Division in which such are entered.

5. No article or animal entered for exhibition shall be loaded or removed from the ground before 4:00 p.m. (DST) on the last day of the Fair. Failure to adhere to this rule will mean forfeiture of premium money.

6. Exhibitors or agents causing or making any false statement re­garding animals or articles entered for competition, or interfering with the Judge or Superintendent shall be excluded from competition and whatever premiums awarded shall be forfeited to the Association. Protests must be made in writing.

7. Exhibitors must attend to delivering their animals or articles to the grounds, and all entries must be made by the bona­fide owner or agent.

8. The exhibitor is responsible for the care and feeding of their animals and for keeping their pens reasonably clean for as long as the animal is on the fairgrounds. Failure to do so would result in forfeiture of their premiums.

9. The Department Superintendent would report any violations to the Supt. of Livestock and it would be their responsibility to enforce the rules.

10. No animal or article will be permitted to compete for more than one class except as one of a herd, pair, team, or group.  Every exhibit regardless of class, must be entered with the Secretary, and Exhibitor’s tag MUST be worn in the show ring.

11. Exhibitors are recommended to have a Premise ID from their home state. Information about Premise ID can be found on their website: www.agr.state.il.us/premiseid or by calling 1-866-299-9256 for a paper form. Registration is free.

12. Members of immediate family ONLY may combine entries to show in group class. OPEN SHOW ONLY. Exhibitors may NOT combine animals from different owners for a group unless they are from the same family or are leased. Forfeiture of premiums for any violation will result.

13. Entry fees will be found listed at the top of each classification. No article or animal upon which entry is not paid in advance will be permitted to enter into competition.

14. No pens or stalls can or will be reserved for exhibitors except by and through the Superintendent of each division and recorded with the Secretary.

15. Exhibits will be open to the world in both Open & Junior Show.

16. No person can act as one of the committee of awards or judge, where there is any interest, as owner, agent or exhibitor.

17. The sale of liquor and other intoxicants or the giving away of same upon the grounds is strictly prohibited. It is in violation of the state rules governing agricultural fairs and any person who is proven guilty of such offense will be prosecuted. This rule will be enforced as rigidly as possible by the local, county and state officers. Gambling is also barred and it will be the duty of the officers to also enforce this rule.

18. No sales of livestock or articles exhibited will be permitted at public auction, or sale, unless satisfactory arrangement is made with the management.

19. In case an animal or article is worthy to compete and there is no competition, first premium will be awarded on such worthy animal or article. No premium will be awarded or paid for any animal or article unworthy of competition, at the discretion of the Judge of awards of the department.

20. Any act of thievery or destruction of property will be prosecuted immediately and vigorously. The management will have on hand sufficient police and watchmen to prevent any act of this kind, if possible.

21. The indiscriminate distributing of handbills over the grounds from car to car and person to person is not permitted. It is contrary to the ordinances of Boone County in which part of the Fair Grounds is located and violators will be prosecuted. This however, does not apply to the handing out of literature and advertising matter by concessions and exhibitors to prospective customers.

22. No person aside from the Secretary is authorized to change, abrogate or interpret these rules and regulations, and if such is done, the management reserves the right to set aside such, and to decide any arguments or differences that may arise.

23. NO PARKING IN OR AROUND BARNS OR TENTS. DESIGNATED PARKING FOR EXHIBITORS IS OUTSIDE THE GROUNDS. VIOLATORS TO THE ABOVE RULE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SHOW AND WILL BE BANNED FROM FUTURE SHOWS. ALL VEHICLES MUST BE OFF THE GROUNDS BY 10:00 A.M.

24. The Association will not be liable for losses or damages be­yond reasonable care, neither will it be liable for accidents.

25. The public in general is asked to take special notice of the rule that standing upon the race track or upon fences during races is prohibited, and that all police and other officers are ordered to prohibit same. There are many chances of accidents in violating this rule.

26. Every precaution will be taken for the safeguarding of animals and articles placed on exhibit, but The Association will not be re­sponsible for any loss by fire, theft, or that otherwise might occur.

27. Neither the Association nor any of its officers or agents shall be liable for injury to any person or property having license or privilege to exhibit on the grounds, or to occupy any space thereon.

28. The Association is not responsible for errors or omissions in this book.

29. Neither this Association nor any of its officers or agents shall be liable for any damage, loss or injury to any person or property caused by the neglect or willful act of any person or their representative employees having license or privilege to exhibit or occupy space on said grounds, and all said licenses shall indemnify said Asso­ciation, its officers and agents against any expense or liability.

30. Neither this Association nor any of its officers or agents shall be permitted to negotiate insurance to make any guarantee whatsoever against damage or loss. Property owners desiring insurance against fire, theft, or any hazard, must make their own arrangements therefore. No officer or employee has authority to suspend this rule.

31. Police will be stationed at various points on the grounds and the public is asked to conform to their requests as closely as possible. In the handling of crowds, there must be some order, and it is for such purpose of protection of the interests of all that this point is dwelt upon.

32. No premiums will be paid on Exhibits not listed in Premium List.

33. All animals must be registered in the name of the exhibitor, both in the Junior and open classes. Animals in the Junior Show must be the property of the exhibitor.

34. All protests in livestock division must be made before the judge makes the placings.

35. The decision of the judges will be final and no appeal will be considered. Exhibitors may be barred from competition for trying to influence or finding fault with the judges decision.

36. Any exhibitor attempting to interfere with the judges during their judging, will be promptly excluded from competition.

37. PROTEST: Any exhibitor lodging a protest must first deposit $25.00 with the Secretary, which sum will be forfeited to the Boone County Fair Association if protest is not sustained. All protests must be made in writing, signed by the protester.

38. All protests in the livestock division must be made before the judge makes the placings. All those in the nonlivestock division must be lodged within six (6) hours after the building is open to the public.

39. Board reserves the right to limit the number of entries or reject any entries.

40. REGISTRATION PAPERS OR COPIES THEREOF FOR  ALL PUREBRED  ANIMALS MUST BE CARRIED BY THE EXHIBITOR SO THEY CAN BE CHECKED BY TH E LIVESTOCK SUPERINTENDENT OR AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOONE COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION.

41. All Livestock exhibitors and concession people will receive one, and only one, windshield sticker. This means one sticker per family. Entries may be made in the name of other people, other than the owners, but REMEMBER ONLY ONE WINDSHIELD STICKER PER FAMILY. Windshield stickers MUST be stuck on windshield for admittance to grounds. There shall be a limit of TWO exhibitor tickets to livestock exhibitor–includes 4-H. The reason windshield stickers are issued is to enable livestock people to bring feed and supplies to their animals. Please don’t abuse the privilege.

42. A trophy will be awarded for the largest number of points to an individual, based on ribbons awarded in Dept. J/K, L, M, N, O & P.  Blue ribbons, 5 points; red ribbons, 3 points; white ribbons, 2 points, pink ribbons, 1 point. In case of a tie the trophy will be awarded to the largest number of blue ribbons. Trophies awarded only 2 years in succession to the same exhibitor.

43. Two monies only will be paid where an exhibitor enters more than two animals in any one class.

44. The Superintendent of concessions reserves the right to allow/disallow any concession or commercial exhibit.

45. No changes or alterations will be allowed to any barns or buildings, unless prior aproval is given by Livestock Super­intendents or the Fair Board.

46. All Swine are to be in by NOON (12 p.m.), Tuesday, August 8th. 

47. When making livestock entries, enclose check. No pens or stalls will be reserved when entries are not paid in advance. Please state number of pens or stalls needed–also number of animals entered. 

48. If in any case an animal entered is not able to show due to sickness, the judge, superintendent and veterinarian will make the decision and the entry fee will be refunded. 

49. The Illinois Dept. of Agriculture strictly forbids the use of Paylean or the generic form Ractopamine in show hogs. The BCFA abides by this rule and any animal testing positive for Paylean or Ractopamine will be the sole responsibility of the exhibitor and punishment could include the exhibitor suspension of show privilege at subsequent Boone County Fair Swine shows. 

50. No animal shall be loaded or removed from the grounds before 4:00 p.m. (D.S.T.) Sunday, August 13th. Failure to adhere to this rule will mean forfeiture of premium money won. NO EARLY RELEASES WILL BE GIVEN BECAUSE OF ANOTHER COUNTY FAIR. 

51. Health papers will be checked before any animal is allowed to show. 

52. All livestock entered in Junior and Open Classes will be ready to show promptly at 8:30 am (D.S.T.) Friday, August 11th, except Junior Sheep Show at 8:00 am Thursday; and Junior Dairy Goat Show on Thursday at 1:00 pm; the Boer Goat will show on Saturday at 9:00 am.

53. ENTRIES IN JR. SHOW MUST BE IN NAME OF INDIVIDUAL – NO FARM NAME ALLOWED. 

54. ANY CHANGE IN CLASSES MUST BE MADE WITH SECRETARY BEFORE DAY OF SHOW–NO EXCEPTIONS. 

55. CAMPER PERMITS FOR OPEN LIVESTOCK ONLY. Use Camper Permit form from the back of the book. 

56. Exhibitors are to keep their pens or stalls clean and all aisles clear and open to the public at all times other than when feeding or showing. 

57. Feed and grain for livestock must be on the grounds before 10:00 am daily. 

58. The Boone County Fair will allow departure to State Fairs, ONLY, provided the following criteria is met: 

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UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL DEPARTURE BE PERMITTED TO GO TO ANOTHER COUNTY FAIR. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF ALL PREMIUMS FROM THE BOONE COUNTY FAIR. 
a. Exhibitor’s animals are on our grounds for 72 hours. This will require animals to be on our grounds by 6:00 pm Wednesday, August 9th. All Other exhibitors not going to a State Fair that has  a Sunday show may elect to arrive prior to 4:00 p.m. Thursday as in the past. 
b. The Exhibitor and his animals must be entered in a show at the State Fair on the Sunday of our Fair. 
c. All Judging of Boone County Fair classes in the exhibitor’s department must be completed. 
d. Exhibitor must acquire a release permit from the Boone County Fair Secretary and be signed by the Secretary, Livestock Superintendent, Department Superintendent, and the Exhibitor. 
e. Release time will be from 8:00 p. to 6:00 am Sunday. 
Parking around barns will be strictly controlled. Designated parking area outside grounds will be provided for exhibitors. 
 

NO PARKING BETWEEN BARNS OR NORTH OF BARNS. 

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Signed:  BUTCH PETERS, BRAD WALTERS, JOE MUZZILLO and JEFF VANCE

Superintendents of Livestock. 

NOTICE – EXHIBITORS 
Refer to 2023 Illinois Livestock Regulations. 

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HERDSMAN AWARDS 

The Boone County Fair Assn. will give an award in each livestock 4-H and Open Show division including ponies, to the exhibitor with the best all-around exhibit. 

Each exhibitor will be judged on the neatness and thoroughness of his entry blank; the neatness of his exhibit space, how well he shows his animals, neatness of dress in the show ring and the courtesy and cooperation shown during his stay at the Fair. All exhibits will be judged for the six days of the Fair. 

No superintendent, officer or anyone connected with the Boone County Fair Association in any way shall be eligible for the above awards. 

Boone County Fair Association