Herdsman Orientation: Wednesday, July 30 at 7pm at the 4-H Center

If you have applied to be a Herdsman, please attend the mandatory orientations.

Fair Preparation Guide 2025

Click the link below to read Part 3 of the 2025 4-H Fair Prep Guide

Sensory Tent

The Sensory Tent at the 4-H Fair is a calm, welcoming space designed to provide a quiet retreat for individuals who may feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the fairgrounds. Outfitted with soft lighting, cozy seating, a variety of sensory tools and quiet activities, the tent offers a soothing environment that supports self-regulation and relaxation. It's especially beneficial for children and adults with sensory sensitivities, including those on the autism spectrum. 

The Sensory Tent Committee has created a list of items they are hoping to have donated to help create a safe, welcoming, and engaging space for all at the 4-H Fair.

If you have any of the listed items at home and are willing to donate, please email Alyssa at apreziosi@co.somerset.nj.us . Kindly note that donated items may not be returned, we appreciate your continued support and generosity.

• Fans
• Outdoor furniture - comfy chairs
• Beanbag chairs
• Child size table and chairs
• Shelving unit (like found in a garage)
• Sand or water tables (used for sensory bins) 
• Plastic bins with lids
• Large plastic bins/tubs
• Light box
• Giant jenga
• Giant connect four
• Giant "plinko"
• Giant lite brite
• Magnatiles
• Hot wheels type cars
• Hot wheels type plastic track
• Small wooden trains and track
• Marble run 
• Fairy lights
• "Coffee table type" photo books on things like animals, trains, cars, space, tv, video games, movies etc. 
• Water beads/aqua beads/orbeez
• White flat sheets
• Pony beads/stringing beads
• Puzzles for young children
• Jigsaw puzzle up to 300 pieces
• Paint dotters
• Sorting and matching toys
• Fidget toys

Fair T-Shirt Pickup

If you ordered a 4-H Fair shirt, please pick them up at the 4-H Office, **Fair T-Shirts for those who ordered only!

Laminating for 4-H Fair

Clubs may drop off items (posters/pictures/signs) between July 1st - July 28. All items for laminating must be dropped off at the 4-H office M - F between 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Please write your name/club/phone # on the back of each item, and we will contact you when it’s ready for pickup. Reminders – No glitter. Items for lamination must be between 8 ½” x 11” to 24” x 36”. We will not accept anything smaller or larger as the laminator can only accommodate these sizes

Open Division

Open to ALL 4-H members to show off your creative talents at fair!

Open division is open to any age (prep will get judges’ comments). Entries can be anything created throughout the year from a school project to a hobby including: Creative Arts • Crafts • Creative Writing • Needlecrafts • Photography • Performing Arts • Vegetable & Flower • Woodworking  • Animal Science & Agricultural Poster!

All projects can be brought to the 4-H Center (upstairs lounge) between July  28 – July 31, 9am - 4pm or during evening clubs. Entries will not be accepted after 3PM on Thursday, July 31 with the exception of Vegetable & Flower which will be dropped off on Tuesday, 8/5 from 9am – 8:30pm. See Open Division resources at the link below.  Submission will be judged for a ribbon and displayed at the fair.

Club Exhibit Judging

We love to see the creative club displays at the fair every year!

A great display includes 4-H clovers, the fair theme (jungle), and all things that make your club unique.

Please also keep sustainability in mind when designing your displays. Try to incorporate reusable and/or recyclable materials, and try to avoid single use/throw away items.

You can view the rubric used for judging on our website under fair forms.

If your club would like their fair display judged for a ribbon, please use the link below to sign up:

Emergency Alerts for Fair

This year we will ONLY be sending out emergency communications through GroupMe. Please download the GroupMe app if you do not already have it and request to join the group using the link below. All emergency alerts will also be communicated through the loudspeaker on the fairgrounds.

Annual 4-H Club T-Shirt Contest and Show

Show off your 4-H Club T-shirt in this FUN Club Activity.

Meet at the Prep Tent Stage at 7:00 pm (NEW PLACE AND TIME THIS YEAR)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7th

All clubs are welcome and encouraged to join!

Sustainability at the 4-H Fair

Soft Plastic Recycling Collections -

Each tent will have special orange bags for gathering soft plastics, i.e., plastic bags, shrink wrap, etc.  When full, the bags can be put behind the permanent bathrooms to be carted over to the Gym for post-Fair depositing at Wegmans by Sustainability members. More bags will be available at Food Central.

Saturday Fair Clean Up

Reminder, help is needed Saturday 8/9 starting at 7 am the morning after Fair to clean up Fair grounds and help with tasks like cleaning and inventorying supplies at the 4-H center. Any time you or your family can assist Saturday morning will be appreciated! Please see the link below: