Links: Division Descriptions, Activities, Scholarships, and Grants
The Whatcom County Youth Fair is a two-day learning fair. It is not necessary to belong to any club or organization, or to own an animal, but it is advisable to bring your own. Listed below are brief descriptions of each division. The division superintendents will contact you after your entry is received to inform you of what, if anything, to bring to the fair.
Beef: You will attend a clipping clinic, a Fit & Show clinic, followed by hands on practice. After clinics & practice, you will show your animal in the ring. Animals must be at least three months of age, no horns, and clean but preferably not clipped. A Grant is available from Whatcom County Cattleman’s for purchase of an animal. For more info see the Scholarships and grants page for application.
Cats: After getting to know each other, we will be decorating cages, (cats are home on Friday, bring your cat on Sat only). Following this you will learn how to prepare your cat for show, then practice fitting & showing. Other activities may be a poster making contest, cat safety, and first aid. Cat exhibitors must present proof of vaccinations from a licensed veterinarian for: Panleukopenia, feline rhinotracheitis, calici viruses, a combination shot, and feline leukemia. You must bring your own cat to be in this division.
Chess: You will enhance, strengthen, and learn about the Game of Kings. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners just getting started, to advanced. Learn exciting new chess strategies and test your skills with a mini chess tournament. FUN!
Creative Writing: : Attendees will be instructed on the nuts and bolts of writing, from facing that first blank page to seeing a completed work. Among the topics we will explore are: Novels, character development, scene set up, poetry, prose, short stories, and more! For Ages 12 & older only.
Dairy: For novice to advanced dairy show-person, the division has classes on clipping, showing and judging. There will also be other fun and educational classes as well as Fit & Show and Type classes. No horns on dairy cattle.
Goats: In the goat division, (pygmy, dairy, meat) you will learn about proper care, grooming and hoof trimming. There will also be a Fit & Show clinic and contest. All goats will be required to have scrapies ID (ear tag or tattoo or other permanent form or identification) with flock number. For any questions regarding the federal program, please call the Wa. State Dept of Ag. (360)-902-1878. No Horned animals allowed.
Horse: Two busy days of Horse related activities. You will learn judging, practice groom squad, basic vet care, and Fitting and Showing at halter class. Please do not bring your own horse. For the safety of the exhibitors, quiet horses are provided for the youth. No riding. For Ages 7 and older.
Knitting: Here’s your opportunity to learn the basics of knitting. Create a variety of fabrics using different yarns and needles. You will learn to do the knit & purl stitch, cast on, bind off, more advanced techniques for advanced knitters and go home with at least one small useful project and sample swatches. Equipment will be provided. For ages 8 and older
Lawn Mower Pull: Bring a riding lawnmower if possible and learn the ins and outs of tractor sled pulling, rules & regulations, how to keep your mower running and how to have fun competing with your mower. Learn Basics of troubleshooting and machine maintenance.
Posters & Charts: All entrants to the Youth Fair are encouraged to enter posters in the Poster Division. The posters will be displayed throughout the barns and serve as educational material for WCYF visitors. All posters will be judged and receive constructive comments. See the rules below for poster and display requirements to enter posters at the NWWF.
Educational Poster or chart and Table display Entries
| 1 | Must have been made since April 9th of 2021 |
| 2 | Posters: Minimum size: 14″x 22″ Maximum 36″x 48″ |
| 3 | Table display: Check with superintendent for Display requirements |
| 4 | Posters will be received Friday, April 8th, 2022 8:30am – 10:00 am in the Saddle room of the Light Horse barn |
| 5 | Limited to one poster ad one display per exhibitor |
| 6 | Name, age, and Youth Fair Division must be on the back of the poster or chart |
| 7 | Contact the Superintendent for scoring criteria and poster guidelines. |
| 8 | Posters and displays will receive an award and/or a ribbon |
| 9 | Posters must have a border drawn on them and be flush. Please do not put puffy stickers or other things on them that are raised. |
Poultry: Basic instruction on healthcare, identification, and raising of quality poultry will be covered. Learn how to select and order poultry along with equipment and nutrition needs. You will attend a Fit & Show clinic; get hands on experience, then wrap up day two with a Type and Fit & Show class.
Rodeo: Introduction to Jr. Rodeo and its events. Also learn to throw a rope, and the basics of riding a bucking barrel. There will also be demonstrations of horse events, pole bending, barrel racing and other fun competitive activities.
Sewing: We will work on both hand and sewing machine skills, as well as building a working knowledge of tools, equipment, pattern use and fabrics. Through hands on activities, students will create projects for their sewing boxes and place setting activities intermingled with knowledge building games.
Sheep: This is a hands-on learning environment, instructing youth on feeding, training and showing. We will work on following trends of the show industry. Our department is obligated to abide by federal regulations with regards to official identification (scrapie tags) of all sheep. For any questions regarding the federal program, please call Wa. State Dept. of Ag (360)-902-1878. No Horned animals allowed.
New This year! Small engines: Students will work with an experienced technician and volunteers to tear down and put back together a small engine. They will be using sockets, ratchets, wrenches and other tools to help them learn how a small combustion engine works and how to repair and maintain it. They will learn to identify the components and discuss concepts such as spark, fuel supply and torque specs. As is the rule in most shops, no open-toe shoes for participants or teen leaders in this division. Gloves will be provided. If you have allergies to latex, please bring your own gloves. For Ages 12 & Older only
Swine: You will attend a Fit & Show and Type clinic, followed by hands on practice. You will also learn about different breeds and how to select a market animal. Please bring an animal if possible! We require erysipelas vaccinations for all swine.
Teen Leaders/Teen Management: : Teen Managers serve as hosts and guides to exhibitors and parents and help manage between the office and the divisions. Teen Leaders will be working with “Supers” in a specific division as hands on instructor coaches, and organizers of that division. (Age Requirement of 13 years old for Teen Leaders. Teen Management must have served one year as a Teen Leader and be approved by Youth Fair Manager.)
New This Year! Urban Sketch & Watercolor: On Day 1, you will explore watercolor basics, how to mix colors, theory, control of pigments and water techniques and paper types. On Day 2, you will take what you learn, and apply it to Urban sketch and paint outdoors (weather permitting) the scenery. If the weather does not cooperate, you will work indoors with focus objects to work with. For Ages 10 & Older
Woolcrafts: Fleece from animal to project. Learn the techniques of carding, drop spindle, hand spinning with spinning wheels, and dyeing wool in the Woolcrafts division. Equipment will be provided. For ages 8 years and up.
Silent Auction: This auction is held during the Youth Fair. Funds from this auctions go to the scholarship and grant funds, which are available to the youth to help with higher education or acquiring a project animal from a local breeder, and into the general fund. If you, or your business would like to donate items, products, or services to be auctioned during this event, please contact the Silent Auction Super Holly Linville (360) 223-0078 or Theresa Greenwood(360) 510-6068
Hanging Basket Certificate Sale: Help support the Youth Fair by buying a hanging basket certificate from VanWingerden Greenhouses. See order information on entry form. Please pick up baskets on Friday of Youth Fair if possible. Group orders should be arranged with Suzie Reynolds 360-384-5947
SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS: Applications PDF’s available! (Please see the Scholarship and grants page for downloadable applications. Link :Scholarships & Grants
Jay Paul Scholarship: The Jay Paul scholarship is open to Whatcom County High School Seniors or college students for studies in an agriculture related field. This can be a tech school, community college, or a 4 year program. Applicants must have been a Youth Fair participant, a Teen Leader or a Teen Super.
Mark Stap Scholarship: The Mark Stap scholarship is open to all High School seniors going to college. They must have been a participant in the Youth Fair for 5 years or more, with at least one of those years as a Teen Leader or Superintendent. Applicants do not have to be a Whatcom County resident.
Mark Stap Animal Grant: This is a grant to help a youth fair participant to purchase a project animal to raise for a project.
Non-Animal Project Grant: This is a grant to help a youth fair participant to purchase a non-animal item to support a project i.e.…spinning wheel, camera, loom, and sewing machine.
whatcomcountyyouthfair.org 