​GENERAL FAIR RULES
  1. All Livestock must be pre-entered by June 23 by 1:59pm. All fair entries will be done online. ALLENTRY FEES MUST ACCOMPANY FORM. ALLOPEN CLASS HOMEARTS ENTRIES MUST BE PRE-ENTERED BYJUNE 23 by 1:59pm.
  2. All entries must be made online. Keep a copy of your entry form for later clarification if necessary.
  3. Non-livestock entry forms must be pre-entered by June 23 by 1:59 pm.
  4.    ENTRY OF EXHIBITS - Fair Check-in begins at 8am 7/23/2023 All livestock must enter through the gate on Townline Lake Rd. Trailers must stop at the first gate and be checked in. If you do not stop, you will be sent back around. Large animals in T- barn to be entered and in place no later than 2:00 pm, Sunday,7/23/,2023. Sm Animal check in 8a-2pm All other livestock by 4:00pm. All Open Class Home Arts exhibits, except baked goods, fresh vegetables and flowers, need to be entered on Saturday, July 15, 2023, from 10am until 2:00 pm.  All perishable items are to be entered Saturday JULY 22, 2023, from10am until 2:00 pm. Youth Home Arts entry and judging, will be Friday, July 21, 2023, from 4:30 pm until 7:30pm.
  5. RELEASE OF EXHIBITS - All animal exhibits released at 8pm or after at the discretion of the barn superintendent. Home Arts exhibits are released Sunday, July 30, 2023, from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. Exhibitor will forfeit premium and/or ribbon awarded if removed before time stated. Not responsible for articles left after release time.
  6.   All vehicle stickers must be affixed to the vehicle's windshield for admission to the fairgrounds.
  7. Entries deemed stained, soiled, defaced or in generally poor condition by the superintendents will not be eligible for premiums.
  8. It is the duty of the superintendent of each department to arrange for and assign space to each exhibitor, preserve order in their departments and assist judges in lining up classes for judging.
  9. No animal or article shall be entered in more than one department or class or compete for more than one prize unless otherwise specified in the premium schedules.
  10.   Exhibitors assume all risk of exhibiting livestock and all other products. Every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of exhibits but in no case will the management be responsible for the loss or injury to an exhibit. The management will not be responsible for property or exhibits not called for.
  11. Each exhibitor will be responsible for any injury that may be occasioned to any person whom-so-ever by any animal owned or exhibited by them; and shall indemnify the Fair Association against all claims or demands of any kind or nature that may grow out of an injury occasioned by the animal owned by them or rise from the negligence of the person in charge of such an animal.
  12. All stalls, pens and other exhibits will be kept clean, and livestock fed and watered satisfactorily to the specifications of the superintendents. Failure to do so may necessitate forfeiture of premium.
  13. Every animal competing for premiums in the Market Livestock Classes must be owned by the exhibitor.
  14. Judging for all departments must be done according to the judging schedule in the premium book. Owners of livestock will be solely responsible for having their entries ready for judging.
  15. No premium shall be awarded when an article or animal is not deemed worthy by the judge.
  16. Exhibitors failing or refusing to exhibit an animal or article that has been duly entered shall forfeit all fees paid by them and any claim to premium.
  17. All animals must be shown and judged whether there is competition or not.
  18. Unless otherwise specified, when there is not competition in a class, first place money will be paid only in case the animal or article is deemed worthy by the judge.
  19. Any exhibit may be disqualified by the fair board at any time.
  20. Premiums will be paid only from the official judging record. A premium card or ribbon is no guarantee of an award.
  21. All exhibitors will be notified when premiums are ready for pick.
  22. The Board of Directors of the Clare County Agriculture Society have the power to make reasonable deductions from the premiums offered, if in their opinion, the financial condition of the society renders it necessary.
  23. A boys and a girl's bicycle will be given away on Tuesday and Thursday of fair week. Sign up for the bicycle will be from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm on the grounds. You must be present to win. One ticket per person. 3 years old through 8th grade in school year just completed.
  24. Number of entries unlimited. However, no exhibitor shall be permitted to win more than one prize in any class, one entry per class.
  25. All premium checks not cashed within 90 days of check date will be considered a donation to the Clare County Agricultural Society to be used for educational or training events.
  26. All animals must be properly vaccinated and tested according to state health requirements (see health requirements on the MDARD website or a copy is in the fair office.)
  27. Any exhibit of open class livestock or draft horses if exhibiting at another fair and you cannot make entry time, you may arrive late with proof of that entry. You may also request an early release if exhibiting at another fair.  

Complaints and Appeals Policy
Any exhibitor may file a complaint regarding any of the following:
  1. Conflict of interest of the judge
  2. Disqualification of an exhibit or exhibitor.
  3. Exhibitor, group leader, or superintendent behavior.
  4. Eligibility of the exhibit.
 
All complaints must be made in writing and filed with the secretary within 10 days of the end of the fair. The fair board will review and investigate the complaint and issue a notice of findings and recommended action within 30 days. An appeal may be made to the Michigan Department of Agriculture within 45 days of filing the complaint if not satisfied with the fair board’s results.