General Rules

Alcoholic Beverages: Alcoholic beverages are strongly discouraged at the fair grounds.

Smoking: In accordance with KSA 21-4009 et seq. smoking is not permitted in any Exhibit Building or Grandstand Seating Area.

Blood & Urine Test: It is the right of the Barton County Fair Association to conduct laboratory analysis on any animal entered in the Barton County Fair competition, at their discretion. Any test that comes back positive, the cost of the test will be the responsibility of the exhibitor.

Completion of Exhibits: Exhibitors must fill out the entry forms as outlined in specific departments and divisions. All entries must be made by the owner, or a person authorized to act for the owner. Additional forms will be provided by the Fair Association upon request or may be picked up at the Barton County Extension office. For closing dates on entries, refer to specific division show rules. Entries made in different departments and divisions must be made on separate entry forms. Copies of all registration papers, if required by department entered, are to be made available upon request of the department superintendent. Premiums will be withheld if satisfactory proof is not furnished concerning pedigree or if any misrepresentation is made. All entries for competition must be entered in the proper division, with all required information. When an entry is made in an incorrect class, the entry may be transferred to the proper class if: The Competitive Exhibits Director or assistant determines the transfer does not cause injustice to other exhibitors and providing that error has been discovered before that class is called for judging.

Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather, and in the judgment of the Barton County Fair Management, the operation of the regular program for a particular day is impeded; programs may be rescheduled or canceled. In case of emergencies, announcements will be made.

Interpretation: The Barton County Fair Association through its management makes all rules and regulations, and reserves the final and absolute right to interpret these rules and regulations. Management will arbitrarily settle and determine all matters, questions and differences in regard there to, or otherwise arising out of any connection with, or incident pertaining to the fair. When no rule appears to cover the situation, the Association President will ask the Fair Association Board of Directors to make a rule and define its application to the situation. Official Announcements at Show : Sometimes it is necessary to make a change in the show, which involves a rule change. In such cases, Official announcements will be made. These announcements take precedence over written policy or procedures.

Protest: Any person may protest the qualifications of eligibility of any competing person, animal or object submitted for competition and showing in any pertinent class or event to the Barton County Fair Association by following the procedure below:
1) All protests must be made in writing. Such protests must state plainly the cause of complaint or appeal, and must be submitted to the Fair Association President within 24 hours following the occasion for the protest, accompanied by a $50 cash deposit. The deposit will be forfeited if the protest is overruled.
2)  Upon receipt of a qualified protest the President will promptly notify the person against whom the protest was made, the Competitive Exhibits Director, Superintendent, Fair Association Executive Board, and other parties that may have relevant information to the protest. The notice will give a time and a place for a hearing to address the protest.
3) The hearing committee, authorized to act upon any protest, shall consist of the following: The Fair Association President to act as chairman, the Fair Association Executive Board and other appropriate staff representation. When a protest is either allowed or denied, the course of action shall be entered in writing and a copy delivered to the protestant and the person whom the protest was made. In the event that a timely protest is properly filed before judging, and a decision is delayed until after the judging, the judges will be informed by the Competitive Exhibits Director to place a conditional and reserve award upon the winning entry. Premiums and awards will be properly distributed when the final decision on the protest is made. The Barton County Fair Association may waive above rules if, in their opinion, it is warranted.

Liability: In no case shall the Barton County Fair Association, any of its officers, KSU Extension Executive Board, the County Agents, the City of Great Bend, Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, Kansas National Guard or Sponsors be held responsible for damages in any loss, damage injury, death or disability by disease or from theft or from any other cause to any such property, or to any person at the Barton County Fair or Expo Complex. The Barton County Fair Association hereby refuses to assume any responsibility for the safety as bailee or otherwise, of any property brought upon the Barton County Fair grounds or Expo Complex, said property being brought upon land kept upon said grounds at owner's risk. Under Kansas Law , there is no liability for an injury to or the death of a participant in domestic animal activities resulting from the inherent risks of domestic animal activities, pursuant to K.S.A. 60-4001 through 60-4004. Exhibitors and their associates assume all risk of participating in this domestic animal activity. The Association reserves the right to exclude from the grounds any person or persons whom they deem undesirable, or expel from the grounds such person or persons who shall violate any of the general rules.

Liability and Security: The Barton County Fair Association will provide police, guards and traffic personnel, and will use diligence in promoting the safety for visitors and exhibits. In addition, every person on the grounds is asked to use judgment and caution in the interest of their safety, as well as the safety of other fair visitors. The Barton County Fair Association will not be responsible for any loss, damage or injury that may occur. Anyone who has knowledge of an action or conditions that is dangerous or hazardous is requested to seek the assistance of the Fair Association or Police, which are located at the fair office.

Pets on Fairgrounds: All pets must be on a leash, contained in living quarters, trailers, or stall. Any animal posing a threat to the safety and enjoyment of the Fair guests will be removed. All pets must meet current health requirements.

EXHIBITS

Open Class: Competition at the Barton County Fair is governed by rules in each department. The age you are as of January 1 st of the show year is the age that will be used to determine which age division you will be entered under. Age Divisions: Youth: 16 & Younger; Adult: 17 – 65; Senior: 65 & Better. All entries must be made upon entry cards furnished by the Barton County Fair and by rules listed in each department. Every exhibit must remain intact until the last Sunday of the Fair. Absolutely no exhibit removed before checkout, or exhibitor will forfeit premiums.

4-H: Exhibitors and contestants must be enrolled in the Barton County 4-H Program in the project(s) in which they exhibit or compete. Unless otherwise designated in division Rules, age divisions will be: Mini 4-H: members not reaching age 7 before May 1 of the current year. Junior Division: members 7-9 years as of January 1, current year. Intermediate Division: members 10-13 years as of January 1, current year. Senior Division: members 14 years older, January 1, current year. 4-Hers may exhibit no more than 2 entries in any one class of a Division, unless otherwise stated under the rules of that division. Division rules may also include a maximum number of entries in that Division. Each 4-H Exhibitor is responsible for keeping their 4-H exhibit in good showing condition. All exhibits shall remain in place until the 4-H release time listed in the Fair Schedule. All exhibits should be picked up at the 4-H release time on Sunday, unless prior arrangements have been made with the 4-H Office.
Important: All Livestock Exhibits must be
pre-entered by June 15th. 4-H Livestock Exhibits will be assessed a $10 pen fee. This fee will be waived if pre-entered by the 15th. All livestock must be shown by the 4-H member who owns the project. In case of more than one entry in the same class another Barton County 4-H member may show the animal. All market livestock must be weighed and tagged at the official county weigh-in. In an extreme emergency, contact the Extension Office. No horned animals are to be housed inside the livestock barn. Animals with horns are to be penned separately outside the barn. Exhibitors are responsible for their own pens. A Herdsmanship award will be awarded to the 4-H club that shows the best Herdsmanship (animals well cared for, livestock stalls and aisles kept clean, stall cards and ribbons (or stickers) nicely displayed during the Barton County Fair. Livestock exhibits include beef, sheep, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goats, poultry and rabbits.

Premiums, Prizes and Awards: Premiums are paid by the Barton County Fair Association. The Fair Association may establish rules and guidelines concerning premiums, including requiring participation in the Fair Clean-Up. Open Class Premium Cash must be claimed at the time of pick-up of the exhibit, or it will be forfeited. First, Second & Third places will be awarded ribbons and premiums of $6, $4, and $2 respectively. Special awards and premiums may be listed in divisions. 4-H Premiums will be picked up at the designated times.

Ribbon Buy-Back: A program will be offered at checkout time. $1.00 will be paid for each OPEN CLASS or 4-H ROSETTE Ribbon presented for Buy Back! Ribbons must be in New condition.

Solicitation Rule: No soliciting of any nature will be permitted on the Barton County Fairgrounds. All advertising and/or distribution of advertising materials, tracts, pamphlets, or any item or items what-so-ever must be confined to a leased location.

Violations of Rules/Regulations: Any exhibitor not complying with the Barton County Fair rules, regulations, and requirements, may be denied entry, participation and facility usage. The department Superintendent is responsible for the enforcement of any rule, regulation or requirement that is designed to present a quality, legal, publicly safe and acceptable, traditional show that is in keeping with acceptable fair exhibiting practices. Industry (IAFE), association, and breed practices will also be part of the Barton County Fair's requirements. In the event of an apparent violation, the Superintendent will immediately notify the Competitive Exhibits Director of the situation and an assessment will be conducted to insure a decision will ultimately be made in the best interest of the Barton County Fair. It will be the Fair Association President's responsibility to advise and approve the Competitive Exhibit Director and the Department Superintendents decision. Should the exhibitor choose to contest the decision of the Barton County Fair Association, a protest may be submitted to the Barton County Fair Association through the procedure outlined above.