1. This Fair is being run according to the instructions of the Department of Agriculture of the State of Illinois.
   
2. No changes shall be made in these rules or the Premium List as published herein except as permitted by the State Department of Agriculture. Address all communications to the Will County Fair Secretary.
   
3. Any type of facility used for sleeping quarters during the Fair will pay a fee: for campers only
   $180.00. All other types of vehicles will be charged accordingly by the Fair Board Directors in
   charge of camping. Please keep in mind we have limited electric for campers. It was setup decades ago when campers did not have a/c or electric water heaters. Thank you for your patience. All campers will receive a rental agreement that must be signed before leasing the camping space.
   
4. Any trucks or trailers not used for sleeping quarters must be parked at the far west area of the
   parking lot.
   
5. Social Security Number on all entry forms in all departments, also must have Jr. Exhibitor’s birth date.
   All social security numbers and Jr. Exhibitor’s birth dates must be correct.
   COMPETITION, AGE AND PARTNERSHIP LIMITS:
   
6. Classes in the open show are not restricted to any given age or place of residence, but if classes are filled to capacity it shall be up to the judgement of the secretary to reject or accept further entries. Junior Department Shows are open to boys and girls who are 8 years of age or in third grade and not yet 21 years of age on or before September 1 of the year previous to the fair. (Meaning: Must be between 8-21 years of age by September 1, 2023.)
   If any one department is filled to capacity it shall be up to the board of directors to reject or accept any further entries in said department. Group placings are not permitted. Junior Show animals must be the property of the boys and girls showing them. If these animals are shown in open classes, they must be shown in the same name. Thus the father is not permitted to show a Junior owned animal in the Open Class and the son or daughter show the same animal in the Junior Show. Exhibitors may be assisted in herd or flock classes during the judging process only by other boys and girls who meet the age requirement set forth in section above.
   
   ENTRIES
7. All entries may be made by applying to the Secretary at the Fair Office. The Fair Office is located on the fairgrounds (directly across from Main Exhibit Building). Entries will be taken starting Friday, July 26, 2024 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, July 27, 2024 - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Monday, July 29, 2024 through Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 9:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday, August 2, 2024 - 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Monday, August 5, 2024, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Entries Close at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024.)

Office Hours

• Monday, July 22, 2024 through Friday, July 26, 2024- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 27, 2024 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Monday, July 29, 2024 through Thursday, August 1, 2024 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, August 2, 2024 - 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• August 5th until Fair Opens - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except 10, 11, 17 & 18)
• Phone (708) 258-9359 Fax (708) 258-9166

ALL ENTRIES (EXCEPT Q AND V) CLOSE ON MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Please cooperate by making entries as soon as possible.

Class Q (Tractor Pull) will close one hour before the contest begins. I.T.P.A. rules will apply.
Class V (Baby Show) for babies 6 months to 36 months - entries will close Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
See Baby Show rules and regulations.
A CERTIFIED BIRTH CERTIFICATE (OR COPY OF) IS REQUIRED FROM COUNTY OF BIRTH. A
SOUVENIR CERTIFICATE FROM A HOSPITAL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. A CERTIFIED COUNTY
BIRTH CERTIFICATE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE, FROM WHICH
THE BABY WAS BORN.

ALL ENTRIES MAILED (EXCLUDING BABY SHOW) MUST BE POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN
MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2024. No late entries will be accepted. If you wish to have your entry tags returned to you by mail, please include $2.00 per person entering for postage and handling with your entry form and check. Exhibitors may telephone their entries to the Secretary’s Office but assume all responsibility for errors. NO ENTRIES CHANGED AFTER MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2024, unless a written permit, stating change, is presented to the Fair Office Secretary by the Superintendent of the Class in which you are entered, no later than one hour before showing. No entry fees refunded at any time. Please verify the entries listed on your receipt with your records.
Departments J-1 through M-7 (excluding Jr. Show) are limited to two entries under one class number - unless stated otherwise under specific “Dept.”

NSF CHECK POLICY
8. Returned checks will cost $35 plus collection fees along with the check amount to redeem. Deadline for redemption will be the first day of the fair. Failure to redeem will constitute disqualification for entry into future fair exhibits and any legal fees for collection.

9. EXHIBITOR’S PASS and ENTRY TAGS
   All exhibitors in Open and Junior Departments will be required to purchase an Exhibitor’s Pass when they make an entry and compete for premiums. All Exhibitors exhibiting in Open Show Departments, must purchase an Exhibitor’s pass at a cost of $20.00, which consists of five single day passes.
   Junior Exhibitors showing only in Junior Show Departments, have a choice of purchasing an exhibitor’s pass for $8.00, and receive two single day passes, or $20.00 and receive five single day passes. Pass must be changed at cashier window each day. A stamp on the hand by the Fair Association will allow person back in the grounds on the same day of the fair.
   Transfer of passes from one person to another is against the rules of the Fair and any violation of this rule will act as forfeiture of all rights and privileges during the Fair.
   For each entry J-1 through O-3 and P-2 through P-7, a tag will be furnished the exhibitor by the Secretary. This tag must be attached and remain attached to each article exhibited in the Main Exhibit Building during the Fair.
   
10. RULES APPLICABLE TO ANIMALS
    All exhibitors of livestock are required to abide by the 2024 State of Illinois health requirements.
    All exhibitors of livestock except Open and Junior Dairy Goats are required to have all livestock health papers ready and in the hands of their Dept. Superintendent by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.
    All animals entered must have been owned and registered by the exhibitor at least 30 days before the opening of the Fair.
    There will be no switching of animals upon arrival. The animal that is entered will be the one shown. Once entries are made, there are no additions or changes to be made.
    All animals competing for premiums must possess more than ordinary merit, otherwise there will be no competition. Lame, blind, or sick animals in poor condition will be prohibited from receiving premiums and will be required to leave the grounds immediately. The Grievance Committee shall decide on these matters.
    All animals must be exhibited by the owners. If the exhibitor is unable to show their animal(s) due to conflict, they must notify the superintendent immediately. In order for an exemption to be considered they must be an exhibitor of the Will County Fair. If the exemption is for the junior show, the substitute exhibitor must be a junior show exhibitor of the Will County Fair livestock shows as well.
    
    All Exhibitors of animals at any Will County Fair or Exhibition shall comply with the provisions of the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act. Any practice or deviation from normal humane husbandry practices, including, but not limited to artificial manipulations, physical abuse, pumping, medical treatments or mechanical applications of any substance, other than on the prescription of a licensed veterinarian, will constitute a violation. If violations are observed by fair director and/or fair superintendent, the animal will be excused from exhibition, disqualified, and be ordered to be removed immediately from the grounds with all awards previously earned at this fair being forfeited.
    
    Herd, Flock, and Group Classes Defined: exhibitor defined: All animals owned and/or maintained on the same farm are eligible to show in the group classes. Registration papers are required for all pure bred livestock and must be made available for inspection by Directors in charge and remain in exhibitors’ possession for duration of fair. In case of grade animals the breed name shall be that of the sire.
    
    ALL MARKET SWINE MUST BE WEIGHED WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024, STARTING AT 12:00 P.M. NO EXCEPTIONS.
    
    All livestock exhibits except Open and Junior Goats, must be on the grounds by Wednesday Aug. 21, 2024, at 12:00 noon. Open and Junior Goats must be on the grounds by 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024.
    Livestock exhibitors, excluding Open & Junior Goat exhibitors, who have their entries in the Secretary’s Office, have permission of the Fair Secretary and Department Superintendent, and who can show proof of showing at another Fair on the day immediately preceding the Will County Fair, will be permitted to enter the Fair Grounds up to midnight, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. Any animal owned by a school and is a project of a student, may show in open and junior shows. However, all livestock rules must be followed by said student and school.
    
    PENS AND STALLS:
    Pens and stalls will be assigned to exhibitors after all entries are closed. All exhibitors of
    livestock must designate at the time of entry the number of pens and stalls they will require.
    TOTAL NUMBER OF ANIMALS COMING TO FAIR MUST BE SHOWN ON ENTRY FORM AT THE TIME OF ENTRY.
    Pens and stalls will be assigned according to the discretion of the livestock superintendent. Rent for stalls and pens must be paid at time of making entries. A one time stall or pen fee will be charged for each animal or animals entered. 4-H EXHIBITORS ENTERING 4-H CLASSES BUT NOT WILL COUNTY FAIR CLASSES MUST PAY A ONE TIME STALL OR PEN FEE FOR EACH ANIMAL ENTERED IN 4-H CLASSES AT THE FAIR OFFICE. No livestock tie-outs to be made to any fence on the Fairgrounds OR TO THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BEEF BARN. NO GENERATORS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BEEF BARN.
    There are 131 stalls in the horse barn. Once these stalls are filled to capacity, the Directors and Superintendents of the Will County Fair Association have the right to refuse and/or void any entries into the fair.
    All open classes shall be limited to two (2) entries per class, unless otherwise stated under that department/class. All junior classes shall be limited to one (1) entry per class unless otherwise stated under that department/class.
    PICK UP ALL PREMIUM CHECKS IN THE OFFICE BY SUNDAY, AUGUST 25TH AT 9:00 P.M.
    ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE DIRECTORS IN CHARGE OF LIVESTOCK ARE FINAL.
    
    Any livestock entering the grounds before Tuesday, August 20, 2024, will be charged $2.00 per day per head of livestock, and no livestock will be permitted on the Fairgrounds after 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 26, 2024. A charge of $2.00 per head per day will be made after that time. ALL LIVESTOCK EXHIBITOR’S cars, trailers and trucks will be permitted in the Fairgrounds Proper to deliver feed and supplies only until 9:00 a.m. each day. Any car, truck or trailer found in the livestock exhibit area after 10:00 a.m. will be towed into the parking lot at the expense of the owner. THIS RULE WILL BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO AS ORDERED BY THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL. Each livestock exhibitor will be permitted one vehicle tag to be permanently attached to window of his or her vehicle. All livestock trailers must be parked in designated area. There is to be no smoking, grilling, or smokers within 15’ of barns.

11. RULES APPLICABLE - EXHIBITORS IN MAIN EXHIBIT BUILDING
    All exhibits in Departments J-1 through P-7 must be in building no later than 8:30 a.m. on Wed., Aug. 21, 2024.
    Entries can be brought in the Main Exhibit Building Tues., Aug. 20 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Wed., Aug. 21, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Sharp! Removal of exhibits: Sunday, August 25th, at 7:00 p.m. the building will close. The Fine Arts Building will re-open once the entries are prepared for pickup, and will remain open until 9:00p.m. Fine arts exhibitors will enter/exit through the north gate on Sunday to pick up exhibits. PICK UP ALL PREMIUM CHECKS IN THE OFFICE BY SUNDAY, AUGUST 25TH AT 9:00 P.M.
    
12. JUDGING:
    The Board of Directors will approve judges, which are selected by the Superintendent. All judging
    will begin as stated in the schedule at the beginning of each class.
    Exhibitors make entries with the distinct understanding that their stock must be brought to the ring for judging and awards at the request of the Superintendent in charge. Livestock must be paraded at the request of the General Superintendent. Failure to comply with this rule or to parade when requested will result in forfeiture of premiums. Be prepared to have your animals ready when your classes are called as time is limited.
    Exhibitors and handlers shall not approach or converse with the judge, unless at his suggestion, until all classes are completed. The Superintendent or Director in Charge will afford the awarding judges every facility for the examination; will affix the premiums under the direction of the judges; will take charge of the entry books and return them to the Secretary. Great care must be taken to preserve the entry books and the awards must be entered in a plain, legible manner, in the proper places as the premiums will be paid as shown on the judge’s books. No animal or article shall be judged or premium paid on such awards unless such animal or article has been properly entered in the specific class at the Secretary’s Office. Judges and Superintendents please do not add entries to the entry list to be judged and awarded.
    No prize money paid on change of entries made on the judge’s book after the judge’s book leaves the Fair Office. If you feel there has been discrepancy, please contact your Superintendent and have him or her present the change to the Fair Office Secretary.
    
13. RIBBONS : First Premium, BLUE; Second Premium, RED; Third Premium, WHITE; Fourth Premium, PINK; Fifth Premium, GOLD; Sixth Premium, GREEN; Seventh Premium, LIME. ROYAL PURPLE ROSETTES for champions; and LAVENDER ROSETTES for reserve champions.
    
14. REMOVAL OF EXHIBITS: All exhibits must remain at the Fairgrounds for the duration of the Fair regardless of whether it did or did not win a prize. All exhibits (Livestock and those in Fine Arts building) must remain on exhibit until the last night of the Fair. Livestock dismissal time will be announced over the loudspeaker. Sunday, August 25th the Fine Arts building will close at 7:00 p.m. The building will then re-open once the entries are prepared for pickup, and will remain open until 9:00 p.m. Fine Arts exhibitors will enter/exit through the north gate on Sunday to pick up exhibits.
    
15. PREMIUM PAYMENTS:
    The Treasurer of the Will County Fair Association reserves the right to cancel, or stop payment on any check issued by her if not cashed within 60 days after the date of issuance. Premiums will be paid in full, if receipts warrant it, and can be obtained at the FAIR OFFICE on Sunday (time will be announced over the loudspeaker) the last day of the fair. PICK UP ALL PREMIUM CHECKS IN THE OFFICE BY SUNDAY, AUGUST 25TH AT 9:00 P.M.
    
16. PREMIUM WAIVER STATEMENT:
    The Department of Agriculture shall use its best efforts to secure sufficient appropriations to fund
    premiums. In any year for which the General Assembly of the state of Illinois fails to make an appropriation sufficient to pay such premiums, premium amounts may not be accurately reflected in the premium book.
    
17. CAMPING PERMITS:
    Camping permits will be assigned and obtained at the Fair Office. Lots will be marked, and all campers are required to park within designated areas. Camping is not first come first serve. If you had a camper spot the previous year, you will have rights to it this year. If you would like to camp and did not have a space, please call the office at 708-258-9359 to see what is available, and/or to be placed on the waiting list. All camping permits are $180.00. FOR CAMPERS ONLY. ALL OTHER TYPES OF VEHICLES WILL BE CHARGED ACCORDINGLY BY THE FAIR BOARD DIRECTORS IN CHARGE OF CAMPING. ALL INSIDE CAMPER SPOTS ARE FOR CAMPERS OR TENTS ONLY - NO VEHICLES. This permit is for August 20th - August 25th. Any additional days will be $10.00 per day. The above fee includes water and 30 amp Electric. Please keep in mind we have limited electric for campers. It was setup decades ago when campers did not have a/c or electric water heaters. Any minors camping must be accompanied by an adult during the overnight hours.
    
    ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE DIRECTORS IN CHARGE OF CAMPING ARE FINAL.
    
18. LIABILITIES: Due to liability reasons, no motorized vehicles (golf carts, atv’s, etc.) will be permitted on the fairgrounds for exhibitor use.
    The exhibitor assumes full responsibility and will hold harmless the Will County Fair Association, its officers, directors and employees for any injury, damages to or loss of any exhibit.
    Diligence will be used by the Officers of the Board to prevent injury to animals or articles on exhibition. Riding or driving on the track by any person or persons during the exhibition, except when competing for premiums, is strictly forbidden. The Will County Fair Association will not be responsible for any damage to persons or property resulting from their being on the track. The general public is hereby warned that the track is dangerous at all times.
    
19. Grievances
    The Grievance Committee is to be appointed by the President of the Board of Directors. This committee will consist of three members whose duties shall be to settle any questions that may arise relative to the animals or articles offered for exhibition or for any other differences that may arise. All grievances must be in writing. Include a $50.00 deposit, and turned into the Superintendent in charge of the department, NO LATER THAN 1 HOUR AFTER the department has been judged. The Superintendent in charge will take the matter to the Grievance Committee, whose action shall be final.
    All disputes that may arise over the award of premiums in any department of exhibits shall be settled by the Director in Charge of that class or the Grievance Committee appointed by the President. The Committee also has the sole charge over making needed changes in this premium list after completion.
    Disputes are nearly always due to some misunderstanding and in case there is anything that is not clear to you or not being handled as you believe it should, discuss it with the Director in Charge of your department or the Grievance Committee, since they are the only ones that have the authority to adjust differences. However, do not interrupt the Judge or Director in Charge while any class is in process of showing; if you do you will forfeit all your winnings in that class, should you have won any.
20. COMMERCIAL EXHIBITS:
    No concession or exhibit will be sold for immoral exhibition. A commercial space will be guaranteed only when payment has been made as per specified terms stated on the contract. Failing to do so, exhibitor must close at once if ordered by the Fair Manager, and exhibitor forfeits all monies paid.
    ALL TIMES LISTED FOR COMMERCIAL EXHIBITS AND SPACES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ANY WILL COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEMBER.
    Vendor shall abide by and observe all laws, rules and regulations of the State of Illinois, County of Will, Village of Peotone, and departments thereof and all rules of the Will County Fair Association. If you are in need of ice, it is your responsibility to get it. The Will County Fair does not furnish ice.    

FIREWORKS, SMOKE BOMBS, SPARKLERS, SWITCHBLADES, KNIVES, BONGS, ETC. CANNOT BE SOLD. NO DESIGNER KNOCKOFFS TO BE SOLD OR PERMITTED ON THE WILL COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS. IF A VENDOR DOES SELL ANY OF THESE ITEMS, THE VENDOR WILL BE IMMEDIATELY EVICTED FROM THE FAIRGROUNDS AND WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY REFUND.
Exhibitors must abide by the rules of the Will County Fair Association and terms of their licenses, and failure to do so shall subject them to forfeiture of their privilege and exclusion from the grounds without reimbursement.
Under no circumstances shall any person be allowed to sell goods of any description unless they bought privilege space.
COURTESY AND COOPERATION:
A word of explanation may not be out of place here. Please bear in mind that the officers, superintendents and committees of the Fair, with one or two exceptions, work without compensation, and to say the least, it is a thankless job. Too often they are unreasonably criticized for their actions. It is justly due them that you at least try to cooperate with them in every manner possible. In case you feel that you have not received just what you thought you should have, you will find that by cooperating with the Fair officers, superintendents and committees everything will be more pleasant for all concerned. The various officers, superintendents and committees are nearly all reasonable-thinking people and will meet you more than halfway on any proposition that may be brought to their attention.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION