The 2024 Lancaster County Super Fair will be Aug. 1–10 at the Sandhills Global Event Center. 4-H & FFA Exhibits & Events will be Aug. 1–4, and 4-H Horse Shows July 31–Aug. 4. The Lancaster County 4-H & FFA Fair Book contains entry information for exhibiting in 4-H/FFA at the Super Fair. There are two versions online at http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair: one is the same as the printed version with changes not indicated, and one with changes from last year indicated in green text. Many fair handouts, forms and videos are, or will be, on this website.
See the Fair Book for detailed information about each of the following changes or new classes:
• Sandhills Global Event Center name change — in addition to the new name for the fairgrounds, the following spaces have name changes (see map at http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair):
- Currency Pavilion (formerly Pavilion 1)
- EquineMarket Pavilion (formerly Pavilion 2)
- LivestockMarket Pavilion (formerly Pavilion 3)
- TractorHouse Pavilion with Amy Countryman Arena (formerly Pavilion 4)
- FR8Star Pavilion (formerly Multi-Purpose Arena)
- AuctionTime Grandstand Arena (formerly LEC Grandstand Arena)
- RVUniverse Campgrounds (formerly LEC Campground)
- Ag Society Hall (formerly Lincoln Room)
- South Hall (formerly Exhibit Hall)
- Meeting Center (formerly Business Center)
• Most animal exhibitor age divisions have changed to match updated State Fair age divisions: Junior (8–10 years), Intermediate (11–13 years), Senior ( 14–18 years). Horse exhibitor age divisions remains the same to match the State 4-H Horse Expo age divisions: Elementary (8–11 years), Junior (12–14), Senior (15–18 years).
• Table Setting Contest age divisions have changed to match updated State Fair age divisions: Junior (8–10 years), Intermediate (11–13 years), Senior ( 14–18 years).
• Fashion Show and Clothing static exhibits — Shopping in Style is now open to ages 8–18 and Attention Shoppers has been eliminated.
• Fashion Show Make One, Buy One — new class for STEAM Clothing 1 exhibitors. Combine sewn garment with a purchased item to make a complete wearable outfit. Both items must be modeled.
• Visual Arts — all new classes under “Mediums” and “Themes” instead of “Sketchbook Crossroads” and “Portfolio Pathways.” There are changes to the required Visual Arts Supporting Information.
• Visual Arts — all exhibits must be ready for professional display and presented appropriately for the medium(s) used and ready to be professionally displayed. 2-dimensional pieces on paper should be framed behind glass/plexiglass. Canvas boards should be framed but glass/plexiglass is not necessary.
• Clothing 1 new class — Re-do & Improve: using a previously exhibited 4-H sewn item, make it better by using judge’s feedback, improved skills and techniques. No previous purple ribbon exhibit winners allowed.
• Woodworking 3 — new class for Wood Projects Created on a Turning Lathe.
• Entomology — there is no special entomology project this year.
• Horticulture — size and weight of container plants is limited. Any container plant (flowering or foliage potted houseplants, dish gardens, fairy or miniature gardens, desert gardens or terrariums) shall be in containers no larger than 12 inches (use inside opening measurement) in any dimension of length or width. No combination of pots may be used. All potted plants are to be in a single pot container. Any container-grown plant in Classes 60-66 that does not follow these guidelines will be dropped one ribbon placing. Classes 60–65 must have a saucer to catch drainage water. All container plants should weigh no more than 15 pounds.
• Bucket Calf senior division — new Current-Year and Second-Year classes for seniors.
• Rabbit Show Breed class — new breed: Blue Holicer.
• Rabbit Awards Ceremony — location change to Currency Pavilion – Southwest Corner (same corner as the rabbit shows and cages). Time remains Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
• Dog Team Obedience change — classes have been changed to progress through three levels.
• Dog Show Costume Contest and Creative Kennel Contest theme — “Olympics”
• Horse Versatility All-Around Horse Award — new award given to the horse/rider combination from the Junior- or the Senior-age divisions. During the online entry process, exhibitors must indicate which four qualifying classes and which horse they will designate for the award. The exhibitor must use the same horse in these four categories listed:
- Speed (must choose only one of these classes: Pole Bending or Barrel Race)
- Hunter/Equitation Over Fences (must choose only one of these classes: Beginner Hunter/Rider 18”, Children’s Hunter 2’, Limited Hunter/Rider 2’3”, Academy Equitation Beginner 18”, Children’s Equitation 2’, or Baby Green Equitation 2’3”)
- Cattle Classes (must choose only one of these classes: Working Ranch Horse, Boxing, Break-Away Calf Roping, Dally Team Steer Roping Header or Dally Team Steer Roping Heeler)
- Ranch Horse Pleasure
• Horse Trail — exhibitors can ride in both trail and ranch trail classes, but must use a different horse. These classes qualify for the Top Trail Award — if youth are riding in both classes, youth will have to indicate which class will count for the Top Trail Award in the entry process.