4-H Share the Fun State Fair Showcase

A group of 4-H youth (or an individual) who have prepared an act and have been nominated by their county to perform the act at the state fair. Three acts are accepted per county.

Share the Fun Leaders must complete an online application form. 

• Please complete the application before Aug. 1.
• All youth participants and adult volunteers must register for the state fair on form 1 or 2.
• Rehearsal times are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The specifics for selecting the youth in Share the Fun varies by county or region. Typically, the county Share the Fun groups perform at one or more functions in their county or region, such as the county fair.

Each county nominates three of their Share the Fun acts to perform at the state fair. Each act can be up to six minutes long, and with few props, as storage space and set-up time for props is very limited. Each act is assigned to a Share the Fun Showcase which takes place during the encampment assigned to their county. Each act may choose to be involved in the livestock weekend Share the Fun Showcase instead of their encampment showcase. On the day of the showcase, each act will have 30 minutes of required rehearsal time with a professional director.

Share the Fun evaluation sheet

Counties and regions must pay the activity fees, lodging and meal costs. Counties will also be in charge of transportation to and from the fair. 

Contact your local office with county specific questions.

You will perform during the encampment your county is assigned to at the State Fair. You can also ask to perform during livestock encampment with your registration - this option is space dependent.  You will be notified of your specific rehearsal and performance time.

Saturday, Aug. 26 - Livestock Encampment

• 8 a.m. -noon: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 6:30 p.m.: Share the Fun Showcase on the 2nd Floor/Erickson Stage

Monday, Aug. 28 - Encampment 1

• 8 a.m.-noon: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 6:30 p.m.: Share the Fun Showcase on the 2nd Floor/Erickson Stage

Wednesday, Aug. 30 - Encampment 2

• 8 a.m.-noon: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 6:30 p.m.: Share the Fun Showcase on the 2nd Floor/Erickson Stage

Friday, Sept. 1 - Encampment 3

• 8 a.m.-noon: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 6:30 p.m.: Share the Fun Showcase on the 2nd Floor/Erickson Stage

Sunday, Sept. 3 - Encampment 4

• 8 a.m.-noon: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Share the Fun registration and rehearsals as assigned on the 2nd floor/Erickson Stage
• 6:30 p.m.: Share the Fun Showcase on the 2nd Floor/Erickson Stage

Registration

1. Share the Fun leaders complete the Share the Fun Application by Aug. 1.  
2. The submitted application is routed to the local 4-H Extension Educator for verification.
3. All Share the Fun participants register for the state fair following their county and regional process and deadlines.

Cost

Each participant will pay a state fair program fee. Overnight housing and meals are optional.

All experiences take place on the second floor of the 4-H Building on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and include:

• 30-minute rehearsal with the State Fair Share the Fun Director on the day of the showcase.
• A showcase performance opportunity with judges providing written feedback to each act.
• 30-minute theater workshop experience for all Share the Fun participants.

Tips for a successful Share the Fun experience

• Storage spaces for your props will be provided on the second floor of the 4-H Building during your encampment.
• Be sure to check and resolve all participant conflicts with exhibiting or demonstrating schedules before rehearsal begins.
• Prepare your club - during rehearsal, acts may need to be modified slightly to adapt to the new performing situations or increase the effectiveness of the act. When they occur, these changes will be used as educational tools to illustrate staging techniques. They will be under the supervision of the Share the Fun Director & Coordinator, in consultation with your group’s Share the Fun leader.
• Your act must attend rehearsal if you wish to perform at the showcase.
• Acts must conform to the six-minute time limit. Clubs should modify the length of their act if it is over six minutes.   
• Clubs with some members younger than the 4-H state fair age requirement may participate in the Share the Fun program with prior approval and proper supervision. Contact Kirstin Delp at delpx002@umn.edu for more information on this policy.

Transportation

Optional transportation services for Share the Fun props will be provided from an off-fairgrounds parking lot to the 4-H Building. Please indicate on your Share the Fun application if you are interested in this transportation.  

More information will be sent out to those who indicate they are interested.

Guidelines

• Props, costumes and scenery need to fit into a small storage area, roughly 5’ x 5’ in diameter.  
• This space will be marked off by county and available on the day your group is scheduled to rehearse/perform. 
• Onsite equipment available to Share the Fun acts, includes one table, two music stands, a folding chair and piano
• A sound system, including ceiling and standing microphones, will be available. State Arts-In Tech Crew participants will run the sound equipment and move microphones.  
• Each act will move props quickly on and off the stage to keep the showcase running smoothly.

Stage area

The Erickson Hall stage is 36” high from the floor level. There are accessible ramps located on both sides of the stage.

Safety restrictions

No acts will be allowed to use live animals nor have water or other liquids on stage. Acts are also prohibited from throwing anything into the audience.

Recognition and reimbursements

Each Share the Fun participant will receive a recognition ribbon for their performing efforts. There will also be a recognition certificate for each leader. We will announce the top acts at the end of each showcase. 

Livestock encampment housing available

Housing is available for livestock encampment for Share the Fun participants. Housing is not guaranteed for the 4-H Building.