General Rules and Regulations

    Persons desiring to become exhibitors at The Great Frederick Fair, whether for competition or not, should carefully read the following Rules and Regulations, which if strictly observed, will alleviate any annoyance either to the officers of the fair or to exhibitors. Please refer to departments for specific rules and regulations.
    Entries in the Open Class Livestock Department close August 15, 1999 and are to be in the hands of the fair's administration building before midnight this date. All 4-H livestock and building entries will close August 1, 1999 and are to be in the hands of the 4-H extention agents by midnight this date. Entries will be received in the Farm and Garden Department 5-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 1999 and from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999. All entries in the Household Department except baked goods will be received 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, and 2-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16. All baked goods will be received 2-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17.
    All open class animal entries for competition or exhibition must be entered and delivered to their respective departments on the fairgrounds no later than 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20, except swine which must be in place by noon on Monday, Sept. 20, and dairy which must be in place by 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19. 4-H/FFA exhibitors should refer to their respective departments for specific dates and times.
    All entries must be made in strict compliance with the Premium List in accordance with which all premiums will be awarded. Exhibitors should, therefore, be particular to their stock or articles entered in the classes in which they properly belong.
    If any exhibitor has made, or caused to be made, a false statement in regard to any animal or article entered, or if any exhibitor shall attempt to interfere with or influence any judge in the awarding of premiums, such exhibitor shall be excluded from competition, and any premium awarded shall be forfeited.
    No animals or articles can be entered in more than one class, nor take more than one premium, unless specially specified for in the catalog. When there is no competition in a class, premiums will be given at the discretion of the judge.
    An exhibitor may show any number of animals of the same age, but can win only two premiums under any classification. This applies to all animals in competition.
    The fair reserves the right to interpret all rules and regulations and resolve any situation which may arise and is not restricted by the lack of or omission of a specific rule or regulation. Every attempt is made for the safe keeping and well-being of exhibits; however the fair does not assume any liability regarding damages.

Exhibitors' Pass System

    Exhibitors must purchase a Season Exhibitors' Pass for $5, including tax, with coupons for admission for each day or night for the fair.
    Persons exhibiting in the Household and Farm and Garden Departments must purchase a Season Exhibitors' Pass for $5, for the entry of as many articles as hereinafter stated, which entitles the exhibitor to a pass for admission for each day of the fair. This rule also applies to entries of articles made by children. Single day $3 admission passes may be purchased at the admission gates.
    Season passes are not transferable and will be forfeited if presented by any one other than the person to whom issued.
    An entry fee of $2 per animal (sheep, and swine); $3 per animal (goat); $5 per animal (dairy); $8 per animal (beef and draft horse); and $7 for youth, and $10 for adults per animal (llamas/alpacas) will be charged, payable when entry is made. Each exhibitor will receive 1 vehicle pass for 1-3 paid entries and 2 vehicle passes for 4 or more paid entries, not to exceed 2 passes per exhibitor. (This provision does not apply to the Poultry Department). No deductions will be made from any premium awarded. Exhibitors of animals must be the owners; of fruit, grain, vegetables, etc., the growers; of manufactured articles, the maker thereof, or a duly authorized agent. Exhibitors of cattle, sheep, goats, swine, and llamas/alpacas will report to the respective superintendent's office where stalls and pens will be assigned by the superintendent of the department. Exhibitors must see to the delivery of their stock to the department inwhich the same is entered.
    All exhibitors wishing to reserve a camper space may do so at the time of entry. The fee is $75 per week. Camper space is limited and spaces will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. Complete the information on the entry form as to model and tag number.

 General Livestock Health Requirements

    Cattle, sheep and all other animals exhibited must pass a qualified veterinarian's examination for health and originate in herds or flocks not known to have contagious or infectious diseases.
    All Maryland entries including animals used for petting zoos and judging contests must be accompanied by a Maryland Certification of Veterinary Inspection for Show Certificate. Exceptions to this are horses and poultry. See below for instructions on these animals. Have your accredited veterinarian fill in this form completely. The identification numbers, ages and breeds on the certificate must correspond with those used on the test chart submitted by your veterinarian. The certificate must be signed by your veterinarian, and forwarded to the Animal Health Section, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD, 21401. Upon approval by this office, a copy will be returned to you. This approved copy must accompany animals to all shows and be presented to the MDA Animal Health Inspector prior to unloading. Approval of all entries for the first showing in Maryland will extend through the show or fair season, providing that the status of the herd or animals does not change. This paragraph only applies to Maryland animals and those explained in the paragraph below.
   All out of state entries must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection signed by an accredited veterinarian and approved by the State Veterinarian of the state of origin. These are also known as "interstate health certificates" and are usually valid for 30 days. However, unless there are changes in the health status or herd of origin or of the animals themselves, Maryland will consider them valid throughout the traditional show season. All animals except, certain poultry, must be identified individually.
    All animals will be inspected for general health upon presentation for admission. Those showing clinical signs of any contagious or infectious disease must be removed from the show or fair. In such cases the health certificate may be modified, suspended or revoked.
    When immunization is recommended or required it must be done in conformity with standard procedures and practices consistent with the development of immunity prior to the show or fair.
    All entries must be in accordance with these regulations unless a written exception is made by the state veterinarian.
    Any animal or article obnoxious, repulsive, or not qualified to show in their character shall be excluded from the grounds, or, if entered without being fully known, will be removed by the superintendents of the respective department.

 CATTLE & GOATS

 Tuberculosis

    1. Cattle and goats originating in Maryland from herds not under quarantine or restriction, are not required to be tested for tuberculosis for shows or fairs in Maryland.
    2. Animals originating from herds in tuberculosis-free states need no testing.
    3. Animals from tuberculosis-free accredited herds need no testing.
    4. Animals from herds in which all animals have tested negative within the past 12 months need no testing.
    5. All other animals six months of age and over are to have a negative tuberculin test within 60 days prior to the show or fair. Status of herd and area must be shown on certificate.

 Brucellosis

    1. Cattle and goats originating in Maryland from herds not under quarantine or restrictions, are not required to be tested for brucellosis.
    2. Animals originating from herds in brucellosis-free states need no testing.
    3. Animals from certified brucellosis-free herds need no testing.
    4. Animals from herds in which all animals have tested negative within the past 12 months need no testing.
    5. All other animals (except official vaccinates under 20 months and animals under six months of age) must be negative to an official brucellosis test within 30 days of the show. Steers are exempt from testing.

 Cattle - Immunization

    1. Respiratory complex to include BVD- Required.
    2. Leptospirosis- Recommended.

    In addition to General Requirements above, all swine must be individually identified by eartag, tattoo or registration number.

 Brucellosis & Pseudorabies

    1. Swine originating in Maryland from herds not under quarantine or restriction, are not required to be tested for brucellosis or pseudorabies for shows or fairs in Maryland.
    2. Animals originating from a validated brucellosis-free state or a validated brucellosis-free herd need no testing for brucellosis.
    3. All other animals six months of age or over except barrows must have a negative brucellosis test within 30 days of the show or fair.
    4. All swine except suckling or weanling pigs must have a negative pseudorabies test within 30 days of the show or fair unless they originate from: A feeder pig monitored herd in a stage III state, A Qualified Psuedorabies Negative Herd in any state, or A stage IV or V state.

 Market Swine

    Swine exhibited at events where no other classes of swine, i.e., breeding or feeder swine are exhibited, shall be exempt from these requirements if they are slaughtered immediately after judging and not returned to farms.

    All sheep must be individually identified by eartag, tattoo or registration number. In addition to the General Requirements for individual sheep, the entire flock of origin must be inspected for the presence of contagious or infectious disease.

 HORSES

 Equine Infectious Anemia

    All equids (horses, mules, etc.) must be accompanied by an official record of negative test for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) within the past 12 months.

 POULTRY

    All exhibitors must show proof that poultry originated from a pullorum-fowl typhoid free flock or have been tested negative for pullorum-typhoid not more than 90 days before the show or fair. Proof is documented on the VS Form 9-2, VS Form 9-3 or comparable form. Junior 4-H exhibitors of broiler stock only can substitute the above with either MDA-E-16 Health Certificate for show or official letter endorsed by the Maryland Cooperative Extention Agent attesting the approved source of the birds. Testing must be completed before arrival at exhibition.

 CAMELIDS

 Tuberculosis

    1. Camelids originating in Maryland from herds not under quarantine or restriction are not required to be tested for tuberculosis for shows or fairs in Maryland.
    2. All out of state camelids six months of age and over, including castrates, mustmeet one of the following requirements:
        A.Originate directly from a herd which has undergone a complete negative tuberculin herd test within the previous 12 months; or
        B. Have a negative tuberculin test within 60 days of the show.

 PETTING ZOOS

    Animals exhibited in a petting zoo at a show or fair are expected to have the same health paper certification, testing and immunizations as other exhibited livestock and poultry.
    Papers must be approved at least 15 days before the first show and that show must be listed in the upper right hand corner of the document. Faxed show certificates are only acceptable if prior arrangements are made and then only in an emergency.
   All entries must be in accordance with the above regulations unless a written exception is made by the state veterinarian.

     All proper care will be taken of animals and articles on exhibition, but the fair will not be responsible for loss or damage by fire, accident or irregular entry.
    Exhibits in open class for cattle, sheep and swine departments will be released after 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25. The Household and Farm and Garden Building exhibits will be released from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26. No prize money will be paid on animals or articles removed in violation of this rule.
    All persons in charge of trucks and other vehicles used in the transportation of forage or refreshments must obtain admission passes from the fair's administration office and said trucks or vehicles must be removed from the midway before 10 a.m. each day. No person will be permitted to remain on the grounds during the night unless prior authorization.
    The Board of Managers will meet for the transaction of business at 10 a.m. each day during the fair at the Administration Office.
    The terms for all commercial exhibits are cash in advance. Space for commercial exhibits will be assigned by the Manager of Concessions, who will be on the grounds for that purpose, Wednesday, Sept. 15. Commercial exhibitors must provide their own stands.
    All premiums will be paid in the form of a check by the fair to the persons entitled to receive them. All premium checks will be mailed to those receiving award premiums. Premium checks not cashed within 90 days of date issued will be void. Any discrepencies with premiums must be brought to the attention of the Fair Board within 90 days from date of check issuance. All exhibitors are urged to furnish mailing addresses at time of entering exhibits.

 Judges

    The object being to secure awards as free as possible from "fear, favor, or affection," the judges will allow no person to interfere or converse with them during their adjudication, except the superintendent of their class. Judges will be permitted to see the books of entry to ascertain the names of animals and their owners, after they have made their decision, in order to insert the same in their report.
    Blank reports will be furnished to the judges by the fair, with the number of premiums offered. On these, the judges will make their awards in writing, sign the same and hand to the superintendent, who will immediately deliver the same to the fair.
    Judges will be careful to award premiums only to such animals or articles for which a premium is offered by the fair.
    The judges will, in all cases, whether there be competition or not, award only such premiums as they think proper as the merit of the animal or article may warrant.
    No person shall act as judge upon any animal or article in which he or she may be interested as exhibitor, the agent or employee of an exhibitor or otherwise, and no award shall be valid or will be paid in any case where it shall be proven that any judge is, or was at that time interested as exhibitor, owner or otherwise, in any articles or animals awarded premiums.
    The judges of animals will have to regard the symmetry, early maturity, size and general qualities characteristic of the breeds which they judge. They may make due allowance for age, feeding, and other circumstances, and the character and condition of the animals. They will not award premiums for bulls, cows, or heifers which seem to have been fattened for the butcher: the object being to have superior animals for breeding.
    All animals or articles competing for the same premium must be brought together as the judges may appoint, and the judges may require, at their discretion, exhibitors to change the position, and bring in proximity animals and articles concerning the comparative merits of which they may feel in doubt.
    Premium ribbons and cards will be attached to animals or articles as soon as the awards are made by the judges, thus: blue to indicate first; red for second; yellow for third; pink for fourth; green for fifth.

   The fair designates Monday, Sept. 20, as
Frederick County Tractor Pull Night, 6:30 p.m.

 The fair designates Tuesday, Sept. 21, as
Governor's Day — State, City and County Officials Day

 The fair designates Wednesday, Sept. 22, as
Agriculture Day — Old Fashion Day (Parade of Buggies, Carts, etc.)
Farm Family Day
Military Appreciation Day, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

 The fair designates Thursday, Sept. 23, as
   Old Fashion Day (Parade of Antique Cars)

 The fair designates Friday, Sept. 24, as
   Childrens Day, children admitted free until 6 p.m.

 The fair designates Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,
Sept. 21, 22, and 23 before 6 p.m. as
Senior Citizens Day (Over 65)

IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics
Adopted by the Board of Managers, The Great Frederick Fair

     Exhibitors of animals at livestock shows shall at all times deport themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship. Their conduct in this competitive environment shall always reflect the highest standards of honor and dignity to promote the advancement of agriculture education. This code applies to junior as well as open class exhibitors who compete in structured classes of competition. This code applies to all livestock offered in any event at a livestock show. In addition to the "IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics," fairs and livestock shows may have rules and regulations which they impose on the local, county, state, provincial and national levels.
    All youth leaders working with junior exhibitors are under an affirmative responsibility to do more than avoid improper conduct or questionable acts. Their moral values must be so certain and positive that those younger and more pliable will be influenced by their fine example. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers, and absolutely responsible persons who violate the code of ethics will forfeit premiums, awards and auction proceeds and shall be prohibited from future exhibition in accordance with rules adopted by respective fairs and livestock shows. Exhibitors who violate this code of ethics demean the integrity of all livestock exhibitors and should be prohibited from competition at all livestock shows in the United States and Canada.

The following is a list of guidelines for all exhibitors and all livestock in competitive events:
    1. All exhibitors must present, upon request of fair and livestock show officials, proof of ownership, length of ownership and age of all animals entered. Misrepresentation of ownership, age, or any facts relating thereto is prohibited.
    2. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers, or absolutely responsible persons shall provide animal health certificates from licensed veterinarians upon request by fair or livestock show officials.
    3. Junior exhibitors are expected to care for and groom their animals while at fairs or livestock shows.
    4. Animals shall be presented to show events where they will enter the food chain free of violative drug residues. The act of entering an animal in a livestock show is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer and/or absolutely responsible person for show management to obtain any specimens of urine, saliva, blood, or other substances from the animals to be used in testing. Animals not entered in an event which culminates with the animal entering the food chain shall not be administered drugs other than in accordance with applicable federal, state, and provincial statutes, regulations and rules. Livestock shall not be exhibited if drugs administered in accordance with federal, state, and provincial statues, regulations and rules affect the animal's performance or appearance at the event. If the laboratory report on the analysis of saliva, urine, blood, or other sample taken from livestock indicates the presence of forbidden drugs or medication, this shall be prima facie evidence such substance has been administered to the animal either internally or externally. It is presumed that the sample of urine, saliva, blood, or other substance tested by the laboratory to which it is sent is the one taken from the animal in question, its integrity is preserved and all procedures of said collection and preservation transfer to the laboratory and analy- sis of the sample are correct and accurate and the report received from the laboratory pertains to the sample taken form the animal in question and correctly reflects the condition of the animal at the time the sample was taken, with the burden of the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to prove otherwise. At any time after an animal arrives on the fair or livestock show premises, all treatments involving the use of drugs and/or medications for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal shall be administered by a licensed veterinarian.
    5. Any surgical procedure or injection of any foreign substance or drug or the external application of any substance (irritant, counterirritant, or similar substance) which could affect the animal's performance or alter its natural contour, conformation, or appearance except external applications of substances to the hoofs or horns of animals which affect appearance only and except for surgical procedures performed by a duly licenced veterinarian for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal, is prohibited.
    6. The use of showing and /or handling practices or devices such as striking animals to cause swelling, using electrical contrivance, or other similar practices are not acceptable and are prohibited.
    7. Direct criticism or interference with the judge, fair or livestock show management, other exhibitors, breed representatives, or show officials before, during, or after the competitive event is prohibited. In the futherance of their official duty, all judges, fair and livestock show management, or other show officials shall be treated with courtesy, cooperation and respect and no person shall direct abusive or threatening conduct toward them.
    8. No owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person shall conspire with another person or persons to intentionally violate this code of ethics or knowingly contribute or cooperate with another person or persons either by affirmative action or inaction to violate this code of ethics. Violation of this rule shall subject such individual to disciplinary action.
    9. The application of this code of ethics provides for absolute responsibility for an animal's condition by owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or participant whether or not he or she was actually instrumental in or had actual knowledge of the treatment of the animal in contravention of this code of ethics.
    10.The act of entering an animal is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to have disciplinary action taken by the fair or livestock show for violation of this Code of Show Ring Ethics and any other rules of competition of the fair or livestock show without recourse against the fair or livestock show. The act of entering an animal is the giving of consent that any proceedings or disciplinary action taken by the fair or livestock show may be published with the name of the violator or violators in any publication of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, including Fairs and Expositions and any special notices to members.
    11.The act of entering of an animal in a fair or livestock show is the giving of verification by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer or absolutely responsible person that he or she has read the IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics and understands the consequences of and penalties provided for actions prohibited by the code. It is further a consent that any action which contravenes these rules and is also in violation of federal, state, or provincial statutes, regulations, or rules may be released to appropriate law enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over such infractions.

This page last updated July 28, 1999.