General
Where do we park?
The Parking entrance is at the north end of the park (Green Gate on the Fairgrounds map). Handicap parking is available. See the Fairgrounds Map.
What about ADA Accessibility?
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act most restrooms and buildings on the fairgrounds are accessible. If specific needs are required, please Contact Us with your questions. Handicap parking is available.
Are there ATMs at the Fair?
There are ATMs by each entrance and another at the Grange Kitchen. See green $ icon on the Fairgrounds Map.
How to Speak Fair
4-H
One of the nation’s largest youth organizations with the motto “To Make the Best Better”. The 4 “H’s” stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. Members are mentored by volunteer leaders using approved curriculum-based material.
Cloverbud: Enrolled 4-H members ages 5 to 7 as of October 1st.
Junior: Enrolled 4-H members ages 8 to 10. as of October 1st
Intermediate: Enrolled 4-H members ages 11 to 13 as of October 1st.
Senior: Enrolled 4-H members ages 14 to 18 as of October 1st
4-H Educator
A paid member of the Washington State University Extension that leads the 4-H Youth Development Program for a county.
4-H In Action
4-H members work within their project’s area of the curriculum to provide the Fair public with interactive demonstrations. You may see 4-H In Action presentations all over the Fairgrounds at various times.
Class
A defined area of display or competition. Example: In the Open Class Division, there is the Special Contest Department which has the class for the chocolate contest.
Cloverbud
Enrolled 4-H members who are 5 - 7 years of age on October 1st of the current program year.
County Fair
A fair usually held annually at a set location in a county specifically to exhibit local agricultural products and livestock. There are about 37 County Fairs in Washington.
Danish System
No, not a breakfast item. Each item at the Fair is eligible to receive a ribbon based on the Danish System.
Excellent or Blue: A blue is given to those entries or members who most nearly meet the standards established for the particular class or level of performance. Excellent does not indicate perfection but is a wide grouping indicating a high degree of achievement toward the elements in the standards for the exhibit.
Good or Red: The second or red grouping indicates those exhibits or individuals who rank good in relation to the particular standards or expected achievement of the class or contest. Either the general level of the accomplishment is less than excellent or enough specific shortcomings are found to cause the placing to drop from excellent to good.
Fair or White: The white grouping contains those exhibits or contestants who upon evaluation are found lacking and rate only average, acceptable, or satisfactory ratings for the standards established.
The Pierce County Fair uses a Modified Danish System in which the exhibitor that receives a blue ribbon award may also receive (as warranted) a Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Best in Show, Best in Class, Outstanding Exhibit or other similar award.
Department
A subdivision that groups like project areas. Example: In the Open Class Division, there is the Special Contest Department.
Director
A member of the Fair Board that organizes and operates the Fair. At the Pierce County Fair, Directors are all volunteers from the community.
Division
The general category of exhibits. Divisions at the Pierce County Fair include 4-H, FFA, and Open Class. Divisions are then subdivided.
Exhibitor
A person who enters displays or items into a Fair.
Exhibitor Guide
It is a publication that lists the opportunities to participate in entering items and animals for showing and competition at the Fair. Also often called a Premium Book. The Exhibitor Guides are available electronically.
FairBook
The Fairbook was renamed Exhibitor Guide in 2023.
It is a publication that lists the opportunities to participate in entering items and animals for showing and competition at the Fair. Also often called a Premium Book. The Exhibitor Guides are available electronically.
Fashion Revue/Creative Consumers of Fashion
Clothing project members model outfits sewn and/or purchased through their Clothing project experience. The outfit must include garment(s), sewn and/or purchased and selected accessories for a Total Look Outfit.
FFA
The National FFA Organization whose motto is: “Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, Living to Serve” is a Youth
leadership organization. FFA stands for “Future Farmers of America”. Students are enrolled through school-based programs.
Fitting & Showmanship
Term used in animal classes that not only judges the exhibitor’s ability to show their project, but the ability to have properly prepared the animal for the show.
Grange
The Grange provides opportunities for individuals and families to develop to their highest potential in order to build stronger communities and states, as well as a stronger nation.
Herdsmanship
Term mostly used in 4-H and FFA, the exhibitor has the responsibility to interact with and educate the public while taking care of their exhibit and the exhibit area.
Intermediate
Enrolled 4-H members who are 11 - 13 years of age on October 1st of the current program year.
Judging Contests
Individuals and teams evaluate classes of animals or project items in a competition. Participants place the class, answer questions and give a set of oral reasons.
Junior
Enrolled 4-H members who are 8 - 10 years of age on October 1st of the current program year.
Lot
The lot is a very specific sub-section. Example: In the Open Class Division, there is the Special Contest Department which has the class for the chocolate contest and is divided into lots. One lot would be for cookies and another would be cakes.
Open Class
Anyone can enter. Often, but not always, divided into adult and youth categories.
Premiums/Premium Points
Most Fair entries are eligible to receive premium payments based on their award level. Each exhibitor that enters premium classes will receive a payment or “premium” based on their point total.
Points Allowed
Each class or lot will indicate how many points are accumulated according to the judge’s award.
Public Presentation
4-H and FFA members provide a presentation based on their project knowledge. Example: A 4-H Dog Project member may provide a presentation on how to groom a dog for show. The presentations are judged by strict criteria. And premium points are awarded.
Round Robin
A contest to promote fellowship, sportsmanship, and cooperation among the different 4-H project areas. Round Robin is divided into Senior and Intermediate Divisions with Grand and Reserve Grand Champions of Fitting & Showmanship competing from each project area. A Trophy/plaque is awarded to the winner in each age division.
Senior
Enrolled 4-H members who are 14 - 18 years of age on October 1st of the current program year.
Still Life Exhibits
These are project or exhibit areas that do not involve an animal. Arts and photography are good examples of still-life exhibits.
Superintendent
A person who is charged with organizing and managing a project, display area or contest. At most Fairs, including the Pierce County Fair, superintendents are volunteers with experience in that project area.
Vendor
A person or company that rents space at the Fair in order to showcase new and exciting products, services or old family favorites. Vendors may be professional fair circuit providers or just local businesses expanding your awareness. While, in most cases, you may not purchase a product or service at the Fair, many will offer business cards or catalogs for post Fair use.
Vet Check
All animals for exhibit must pass an on-site veterinary inspection prior to being allowed into a barn or display area.