4-H at Cheshire Fair!

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In-Person

Cheshire Fairgrounds
247 Monadnock Highway
Swanzey, NH 03446
United States


Cheshire Fair is a fun time where our 4-H youth get to showcase their hard work from the year.  Members get to show their project animal, enter exhibits in the 4-H building, help out in the 4-H food booth, and take part in volunteering opportunities.  Information on Cheshire Fair entries and events can be found below.  

Dairy Members
Contact
4-H Garden Day at the Fairgrounds - June 26, 2025 | 3pm-8pm

If you are a Cheshire County 4-H Club or independent member, Cheshire County 4-H is inviting you to help build and decorate your own garden bed for the Cheshire County Fair! Clubs and groups of independent members will have their own beds they can decorate with donated flowers, and create a sign so that fair-goers can admire your work! Bring your own shovels, trowels, gloves, and watering cans -- we will provide the rest. Let's show Cheshire County how we bloom and THRIVE in 4-H, making their fair experience even more beautiful and enjoyable. Register through ZSuite

Fair Cleanup - July 17th | 3pm-8pm 

4-H families and clubs have an option to take on a project, that would need to be completed by July 17, or help with fair clean up on July 17.  Contact Kim Hudson or Astara Zuorski if your club or family is interested in doing a project from the  list below.  Projects at the fairgrounds can be worked on starting June 20th.

  • Paint 4 tree stumps by cattle ring
  • Paint 1 tree stump by 4-H building
  • Refresh/paint showers
  • Wash rack area – Switch ‘n Horns
  • Wooden tractor / Wagon needs to be finished painting
  • Gardens around grounds maintained and rebuilt
  • Cattle barns raked from leaves and debris
  • Weed trimming from around all buildings
  • Cattle ring to add another coat of stain
  • Sweep out the 4-H Building
  • Wash down the 4-H exhibit tables
Potato Disguise Contest

Disguise a potato, without cutting it, so that it appears to be something other than a potato! Dress it in a costume, add accessories, use your imagination and transform it however you want. Give your creation a name and bring it to the Fair for display! This is a people’s choice award, open 18 yrs and younger.  All entries should be brought to the 4-H Exhibit Hall by Saturday, August 2 by Noon.   The entry receiving the most votes (by the public) during the fair by noon on Sunday will earn special recognition and will be the “Poster Potato” for next year’s contest.  No time to disguise your potato before the fair.  We will have potatoes and craft supplies available for you to create your Disguised Potato on site!

potato disguise contest details

 
Fence Talk - “Live” Demonstrations and Action Exhibits

This is for both animal exhibitors and non-exhibitors!  Talks and presentations can be on any topic of their choosing (animals, robotics, paper making – anything!) and will be in ½ hour timeslots.    They can be either formalized presentations, action exhibits, or simple Q & A (“This is my rabbit.  Come pet it and ask me questions about my 4-H project”).  A $15 premium will be paid for each 1/2 hour.  Email a.zuorski@unh.edu an email if your interested.

4-H Building Setup Time - Tuesday, July 29, 4:00-8:00pm

Exhibits will be judged on Wednesday.  If you would like to judge the exhibits in the 4-H Building please email the 4-H office. Exhibits must remain in place until 5:00 PM Sunday, August 3.

Request for 4-H Building Exhibit Space

To plan table spacing and get the correct number of judges, we need to know who is exhibiting in the 4-H building.  In addition to member exhibits, we would like clubs to do an exhibit in the fair building to teach the public about 4-H.  It can be a display promoting your club and project you have done, an educational display or a display of project work you have completed.
4-H Building Space Request Form for Club and Member Exhibit

 
4-H Food Booth

We are asking  all 4-H families and 4-H clubs to help out at the 4-H food booth.  You do not need to be enrolled in 4-H to help out. Even if your club members are not showing at the Fair, it is highly encouraged that they participate.  Youth under the age of 10 can help in the food booth but must be accompanied by an adult.

This is our biggest fundraiser of the year that benefits all Cheshire County 4-H members and families.

2025 Cheshire Fair Food Booth Schedule

Wednesday, July 30
Thursday, july 31
Friday, Aug. 1
Saturday, Aug. 2
Sunday, Aug. 3
Cleanup, Aug. 4
Set Up Assistance.
6:30-11am

 

6:30-11:30am

Switch'n Horns

6:30-11:30am

 

6:30-11am

 

9:00am-Noon
You set time.
11am-3:30pm

 

11:30am-4:30pm

 

11:30am-4:30pm

 

11am-3:30pm

 

 
 
3:30-8pm

 

4:30-9:30pm

 

4:30-9:30pm

 

3:30-8:00pm

Furry Friends

 

*Grills close at 9, clean up last half hour.

Assistants are younger 4-Hers and cloverbuds. Youth under 10 need an adult accompanying them. Split your shift up with them and rotate them through. They can make the difference in a successful shift IF they are supervised and given directions but too many at one time becomes a hindrance. You know your members best. Some younger ones who are capable can be helpful at tasks such as prepping, assisting with sandwiches, handling microwave, etc. Set them up for success. Any can be your cleaners both inside the booth and in the customer area.

Note that the extra people at stations are needed for busy meal times.  The Grill and Prep stations could use two workers during this time.  This could be a role for someone that can just do a part shift IF they can be there for the meal rush. They are likely not needed for Thursday.

Grilled Cheese Challenge - Saturday, August 2

The Pinnacleview Club will be holding a Grilled Cheese Competition on Saturday at the Fair!  This contest is open to all youth. Tables, grills and rubber gloves are provided.  For more information contact Crystal 603-756-3603 or Holly 603-445-5104.

 

Schedule of 4-H Events at 2025 Cheshire Fair

Thursday 7/31
9:00am -   4-H Goat Show
10:30am -  4-H Small Animal Show
12:00pm - STEM Activities (Community Stage)
1:00pm - 4-H Beef Show

2:00pm - 4-H Model Horse Show
2:00pm - 4-H Robotics Demonstration (tent.)
4:00pm - Stick Horse Racing
5:00pm - 4-H Goat Obstacle Course
 

Friday 8/1
(8:00am - Open Horse)
10:00am - 4-H Sheep Show
(10:00am – Open Dairy)

 

Saturday 8/2
(9:00am-Open Sheep; 10:00am:  Open Beef)
1:00pm - Multi Animal Species Judging
1:30pm - Horse Youth Contest

2:00pm - Grilled Cheese Competition

7:00pm -  Cow Plop Bingo

Sunday 8/3
(9:00am - Open Sheep)
10:00am -  4-H Dairy Show
2:00pm - Stick Horse Racing

Ongoing
Beautiful Bovine Contest (at the cattle barns)
Potato Disguise Contest (in the 4-H exhibit hall)
Scavenger Hunt (throughout the fairgrounds)
Fence Talks (4-H area)