Jim Wells County Fair Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I have a question about something?
Always be sure to check the fair rule book. Many times when you have questions the answers can be found in the rule book. If the rule book doesn’t answer your question, don’t be afraid to ask a species superintendent, advisors, or the fair office.
What do I do with an exhibitor sign?
It is a rule in the fair book that all exhibitors must put a stall card or sign over their exhibit (see 2015 JWC Fair rule book). These do not HAVE to be purchased from anyone, you may make one yourself. Be sure it has your student’s name and what organization they show through (Orange Grove FFA). If you have more than one species (example: rabbits, and pigs) you need a sign for EACH location.
Where do we get exhibitor numbers/wrist bands?
Exhibitor packets are handed out Tuesday evening. Look for a table around the sale arena. These packets have exhibitor numbers, wrist bands, designation forms, and other important papers you will need throughout the week of the fair. If you are in the Horse show, you will get your packet at the horse show. Be sure you don’t lose it before the fair!
Do we need to clean our pen?
Please take care of your animal and its pen and area throughout the entire week of the fair. Clean up in their pen and keep the aisles free of trash and clutter.
How often do we need to feed our animals?
Feed and water your animals daily; even if they are sifted or you aren’t sifting or showing that day they STILL NEED food and water. You get hungry and thirsty, they do too!
Do I have to follow school dress code?
Remember when you are sifting, showing or engaged in other fair activities that you are still representing OGHS and the OG FFA. Please make sure your outfits comply with dress code regulations.
Can parents volunteer to help out?
During the various sifts and shows (especially the swine show) adult help is always needed. If you are available we would love for you to help out. Just ask one of the contest superintendents or other workers during the shows.
What are these “designation forms” they keep announcing about?
You are required to submit “designation forms” about your animals to the fair office after showing your animal. This lets them know whether that animal will be in the sale, taken home, or placed on the resale truck (if applicable to your species). This must be turned in as soon as you are finished showing the animal. If you are showing multiple days, be sure you let the fair office know you will be waiting until you are completely finished showing on whatever day to turn in the form.
Do we have to be at the award presentation on Saturday?
There is an award presentation on Saturday, October 24 at 1 pm in the pavilion (the covered patio area to the left of the merchant’s building). This is when they announce and recognize scholarship winners, showmanship (division and overall) winners, grand and reserve placings, and other awards. We recommend everyone attend this event and be at the pavilion BY 12:30 pm.
What do I do if I can’t be there to show or sell my animal?
If you are not able to show or sell your animal because of other activities (band contest, sports, etc), injury (broken leg, etc), OR multiple animals in the same class, let us know ASAP so we can make arrangements.
In the case of showing, the person showing your animal needs to be an exhibitor of the same club and age division (OG FFA for OG FFA, OG Jr FFA for OG Jr FFA). They will need to make sure they know the name of the person they are showing for and give that name to judges and contest officials when they ask for placing information.
In the case of selling, make sure that person knows where they need to be and when. Please also make sure we know where the exhibitor is. We have them announce before they sale that the exhibitor is at band contest, cross country, etc.
Where do I find out what order I sell?
The sale order list is usually posted early Saturday morning. Be sure to check it for the exhibitor’s name and sale order. Keep up with this during the sale to make sure you have your animal and are ready to go at the appropriate time. If there is a mistake with the list, tell the fair office immediately so they can make changes.
Why are there students running around with clipboards and tickets during the sale? Do my kids need to do that?
Help is also needed during the sale. We encourage our students to help out by running tickets to buyers for their signature. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and add some community service hours to your future resumes! Adults are welcome to volunteer as well.
Who is allowed to sit on the arena floor during the sale? Where may guests sit?
During the sale, the arena floor is designated for registered buyers. Parents, students, and other visitors may watch from the bleachers.
Is it okay if I go talk to buyers I know about buying projects?
Please DO NOT use auction time to solicit bids, buyers or add-ons on the auction floor. Everyone is encouraged to send buyer letters, but please allow the buyers to do their job, focus on the sale, and bid on projects. Again, DO NOT use the auction time to solicit bids, buyers, or add-ons.
What does it mean when the auctioneer says the animal is “keep”, “resale” or “give it back”?
After an animal is sold, you will hear the auctioneer say whether the animal is “keep”, “resale” or “give it back”. These mean:
Keep: the BUYER of the animal (NOT the exhibitor) will be keeping the animal
Resale: (if applicable) the animal will be placed on the resale truck
Give it back: the buyer is giving the animal back to the exhibitor.
Should an animal be given back to the exhibitor and you would still like it to go on the resale truck (if applicable) notify the fair office of this request. If your buyer designated the animal as keep, check with them to make sure they have arrangements to pick up the animal Sunday morning from the fair grounds. Please listen carefully or check with the fair staff to find out what happens with your animal so you will know if extra arrangements need to be made to load out the animal.
What does my kid need to do after they sell their animal?
After you sell your animal, ask the workers at the sale to point out your buyer so you can go thank them and shake their hand. They just spent a lot of money on you, show your appreciation!
What do we need to do on Sunday?
Sunday morning is load out day. Make sure your animals are removed by NOON. Also be sure you completely clean up your pen, take down your signs, and take your equipment home.
Do we need to send thank you notes? If so, when?
Don’t forget you signed a paper regarding our thank you note policy. This policy states that you will turn in thank you notes to the OG FFA Ag building by December 1. They need to be written and in STAMPED addressed envelopes. We do not need to read the thank you notes, just bring them by and we check off that you completed each of them. Then we mail them for you, BUT make sure they have postage on them. We do NOT have stamps available for purchase.
What happens if we don’t turn them in or turn them in late?
Also, should you not turn in your thank you notes by the due date; this will cause us to hold your fair check for a week after it comes in. Avoid this by doing your thank you notes!!!
How do we get the buyer address information? Will you send it to us when it comes in?
We usually have the information (buyer names and addresses) within the week after the fair. Call. email or come by the Ag building often to find out your buyer information. We will NOT contact each exhibitor individually when this information is available; you need to check with us.
When do we get our checks?
According to the 2016 Jim Wells County Fair rule book, “Checks will be issued beginning December 15, 2016.”
Are our checks mailed to us or do we pick them up?
Auction checks are not mailed to the exhibitor. Add-on checks sometimes may be mailed separately from the fair association and sometimes may be added on to the overall auction check. They auction check usually also includes additional resale or premium money. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor and his/her legal guardian to come by the OGHS Ag Building and pick up the checks. Checks may ONLY be picked up by the exhibitor named on the check or their LEGAL parent/guardian.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Ag dept at 361-384-2330 ext 1513 or ext 1519. We look forward to seeing you all at the fair and wish you success.