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4-H Projects and Shows

Through 4-H projects you can explore what interests you! Project work is hands-on and self-paced, which means you will choose what you want to do and then work on it independently, outside of club meetings. Doing a 4-H project includes setting goals, researching your project topic, practicing project skills, and then showing what you learned by exhibiting your work in the county 4-H shows.

Illinois 4-H Project Guide - Learn about all the projects you can choose from.
My 4-H Project Plan - This document will guide you through the process of completing a 4-H project and help you track your progress throughout the year.
Illinois 4-H Webstore - For all your 4-H project resource needs.

2026 4-H Show Schedule

All shows and exhibits are open for public viewing.
Exhibit entry registrations are due March 5 for the 4-H Public Speaking Contest. All other county 4-H exhibit entry registrations are due June 1.

Logan/Menard/Sangamon 4-H Public Speaking Contest
Monday, March 16, 5:30 PM
Logan Extension Office, Lincoln
Exhibit entry registrations due March 5

Sangamon/Menard 4-H General Projects Show
Logan/Menard/Sangamon Foods, Nutrition, and Health Show
Saturday, June 27, 8:30 AM
Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin

Sangamon 4-H Livestock Shows
Beef, Goats, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Swine, and Livestock Sale
Saturday-Sunday, June 27-28
Sangamon County Fairgrounds, New Berlin

Logan/Menard/Sangamon 4-H Cloverbud Show
Sunday, July 12, 2 PM
White Building, Menard County Fairgrounds, Petersburg
(Projects can be removed on Sunday, July 19, noon-1 PM. Fair Admission is $5 until 2 PM. Projects can be removed anytime for FREE on Monday, July 20, before 7 PM)

Menard 4-H Livestock Shows
Beef, Goats, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Swine, and Youth Livestock Auction
Tuesday-Sunday, July 14-19
Menard County Fairgrounds, Petersburg

Logan/Menard/Sangamon 4-H Dog Show
Sunday, July 26, 10 AM
Kinner’s on 97, 5965 W State Route 97, Pleasant Plains

Logan 4-H General Projects Show
Logan/Menard/Sangamon Agronomy, Floriculture, and Horticulture Show
Monday, August 3, 9 AM
Logan County Fairgrounds, Lincoln
(Projects must be removed on Sunday, August 9, noon-1 PM)

Logan 4-H Livestock Shows
Beef, Goats, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Swine, and Youth Livestock Auction
Monday-Sunday, August 3-9
Logan County Fairgrounds, Lincoln

Illinois State Fair General Projects Exhibit Day (for members selected to advance)
Friday, August 14
Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield
Illinois State Fair Junior Livestock Shows
Visit the State Fair website for details
Entries due via State Fair website by July 15

2026 4-H Show Registration Details

To participate in the 4-H Shows, you must register which project areas you plan to exhibit. Exhibit entry registration is done through a system called FairEntry, which is different than the zSuite system you used for during 4-H enrollment. Exhibiting is optional but encouraged as part of the 4-H experience.

Registration Deadlines:

June 1 – Deadline for:

Logan, Menard & Sangamon General Project Shows
Logan, Menard & Sangamon Livestock Shows
Logan, Menard & Sangamon Dog Show

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible to exhibit, you must:
✔ Be enrolled in 4-H by March 1
✔ Have completed the animal ethics requirement by March 1 for a live animal show
✔ Have attended at least one club meeting or experience by May 15

You may only exhibit in project areas that you are officially enrolled in for this year. If you need a reminder of your enrolled projects, please contact your club leader, 4-H county staff or review your zSuite account.

Important Notes:

PLEASE NOTE: The system will allow a maximum total of 25 entries per member. Cloverbuds may exhibit 1 individual or participate with 1 group project.
Only register for projects you realistically expect to complete and bring to the 4-H Show. This helps ensure accurate planning for judges and exhibit space.
If you don’t complete a project this year, you can sign up and take it again next year.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your county 4-H staff.

Local 4-H Show Information

2026 Show Book for Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties - includes show schedules, rules, and exhibit requirements for all project areas
2026 Fair Entry instructions
Additional forms and information for Live Animal exhibits
- Ethics Training is due March 1
  - Quality Assurance & Ethics Certification (QAEC) training in zSuite must be completed one-time by members exhibiting in Dog, Horse, Poultry, and Rabbit shows
  - Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) training must be completed every year by members exhibiting in Beef, Swine, Dairy, Goat, and Sheep shows
- Swine Nomination (Ear Notch Forms) due June 1
  - Logan County Swine Nomination Form (Ear Notch Sheet) – ALL Logan County 4-H Swine exhibitors need to complete and turn in Ear Notch sheets on ALL hogs they plan to exhibit (ALL GILTS and BARROWS)
  - Sangamon County Swine Nomination Form (Ear Notch Sheet) – ALL Sangamon County Swine exhibitors need to complete and turn in Ear Notch sheets on ALL hogs they plan to exhibit. (ALL GILTS and BARROWS)
Additional forms and information for General Projects exhibits
- Copyright Guidelines – tips for creating exhibits that meet copyright guidelines
- Photo/Video Model Release Form – should be used by 4-H members who have included other individuals in their Photography or Video exhibits
- 4-H Crops Record Form – must be completed by members exhibiting a Crops project

State Fair Exhibits

The very best General Projects exhibits at county 4-H Shows are chosen to advance to the state 4-H Show during the Illinois State Fair. The 2026 exhibit day for Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties is tentatively scheduled for Friday, August 14. Selected exhibitors will be provided additional details.

For state-level Livestock competitions, 4-H members participate in the Junior Livestock Shows during the Illinois State Fair. Information, rules, and entry instructions are available on the State Fair website.

2026 State Fair Lamb & Goat Nomination Form
- May 14 – Last day to obtain local Extension signatures on self-nomination forms.
  - Signatures may be obtained at the Logan & Sangamon Extension offices Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., and at the Menard County Extension office on Mondays and Wednesdays between 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. All offices are closed from noon–1:00 p.m.
- May 15 – Last day self‑nomination forms can be postmarked by.
2025-2026 – Livestock Birth, Ownership and Tattoo Dates for Illinois State Fair Junior Show