Anoka County 4-H Share The Fun save the date

Groups of three or less participants, examples include but are not limited to:  music, dance, magic, gymnastics, readings, combined vocal and choreography, or puppets. All acts are limited to 5 minutes. Top acts selected under this category will advance to the State Fair under Performing Arts Category. Performing Arts State Fair Trips will be awarded to any age member however, only youth 6^th grade and up will be eligible to go on with their exhibit. Acts will be ranked in order to determine potential for State Fair participation. There are typically between 5 and 10 trips available each year. Complete a separate registration for each act.

This category includes skits and groups of four or more registered to a club. Clubs can combine if needed. Let your imagination and creativity be your guide! All acts are limited to 6 minutes. Set up and take down time is not to exceed 3 minutes total. Top two acts selected under this category will advance to the State Fair under Share The Fun. Complete a separate registration for each act.

A play is defined as a dramatic dialogue telling a story. Play entries shall be 15-25 total minutes in length (including scene changes), with a maximum of 3 scenes. Scenes are defined by darkening the stage lights (a play may or may not have scene changes). Total time limit for set up and take down is not to exceed 10 minutes (5 minutes before and 5 after). Music may be used in a play. Not state fair eligible.

Acts should be in keeping with the high standards and principles of 4-H work and should be appropriate for 4-H situations as outlined in the 4-H code of conduct. Please note that you will be performing in front of an all-ages audience. Skits/music, song selections should show good taste in entertainment and be suitable for presentation to other groups. Costumes must be appropriate and contribute to the skit. Violation of this is subject to the act’s removal.

All members, parents, and volunteers must abide by the MN 4-H Code of Conduct. This includes content of acts. If you have questions about this, please contact Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Anna Gilbertson.

4-H member, parental, and volunteer codes of conduct.

• There is NO curtain on the stage, creating a situation very similar to what an act performing at the State Fair will encounter.
• There is no way to cross from one side of the stage to the other without being seen.
• All props must be able to fit through a standard double door. 
• Stage map

• Club/contacts will be provided the schedule before the event to review. Club contacts will need to inform the office of any conflicts within two days of receiving the schedule for consideration of any shuffling needed. 
• Once the schedule is finalized NO changes may be made.
• Clubs/Acts may not request schedule changes the day of. Please know that this is VERY challenging to do the day of the event. In the rare case the committee grants any schedule changes, those acts will be moved to the end of the event.
• If there are any cancellations, acts will move up in the schedule. 

Day of the event.
Be at venue and ready to go at least 1/2 hour before time BLOCK placed in.

Lining up for your performance - Watch the schedule carefully. When you are 2 acts away from performing, report to the backstage area for photos. You will receive instruction from the backstage helpers when you get there. Bring all props with you.

After your performance - Performers report to the judges’ tables to speak with the judges. Please remove your props promptly from the stage. 

• Judges will talk with each act immediately after they perform, providing suggestions to the performers. In 4-H we call this “conference judging.” Club leaders or parents are NOT a part of the conference judging process. You may listen but should not participate in the conversation. This is a learning experience for the youth members.
•  Judges will also be encouraged to provide written constructive comments on the check sheet provided for each act.  Acts will not be judged on a blue, red, or white placement. Judges consult at the end of the event to determine which acts will receive outstanding performers and ribbons of merit. 
• All youth participating in Share The Fun will receive a Share The Fun participation ribbon immediately after judging to celebrate their success as a participant in the event. 
• Yellow ribbons of merit recognize honorable mention individual performers who the judges want to acknowledge for their noteworthy individual performance in a group act. 
• Outstanding performer plaques are awarded for plays and club specialty acts for youth who the judges want to acknowledge their outstanding individual performance in a group act. This is considered the top individual acknowledgement of the event. Four plaques will be awarded in play and four in skit/specialty based on four grade categories:  Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, & 9 and up. 
• Top acts will be ranked at the conclusion of the event for:
  • Club plays - Runner up and top plays are announced. Plays are not eligible to advance to the State Fair.
  • Club specialty - The top five club specialty acts will be chosen. The top two club specialty acts will be chosen to represent Anoka County at the MN State Fair. They will also be invited to perform during the Fashion Revue intermission at the County Fair on Saturday.
  • Individual Acts - The top five to ten acts will be announced and will be eligible to compete at the MN State Fair in the performing arts category. The top act will receive special recognition at the event. In addition, a number of alternates will be selected and will be notified in the event that they would become eligible to attend the State Fair for performing arts judging.  

• Members from different clubs may perform together. One of the clubs must register the act as one of their acts for the club specialty act category but they both may be listed in the program.
• The accompanists to acts need not be 4-H members. Recorded music is also accepted.
• Musical solos do not need to be memorized for competition. The judging is based on age, experience, ability, etc.
• Acts are not to be repeated in successive years. 
• Acts should not be a repeat of another 4-H event competition.
• All acts must provide their own props.
• All acts are expected to clean up immediately after their acts and to remove all their props as quickly as possible. 
• As guests of the venue, we must adhere to the venue’s weapons policy. 
• According to state fire codes, the Fire Marshall PROHIBITS the use of straw, candles, or any flammable materials in the venue. Do not use these types of items as a part of your act.
• The judges’ decisions are final.

Volunteer registration information will be emailed to all families after the schedule has been finalized. Youth volunteers are highly encouraged! Volunteer registration will be open in early March.

We encourage every family to volunteer. Each club must provide at least 2 volunteers. If your club is participating, please consider recruiting more volunteers. Clubs who do not provide volunteers will be given two shifts at random that the club will be responsible for filling.

Share The Fun is about developing skills, teamwork, and relationships with your club, as well as celebrating the accomplishments of 4-H’ers! We hope that you embrace the mission of this event and enjoy the day.  

We expect that all members, parents and volunteers will abide by the MN 4-H Code of Conduct agreed upon at time of enrollment.  

You are expected to be a good audience:

• Please silence cell phones in the auditorium area.
• Sit quietly during performances.
• Remain seated until a performance is over.
• Please do not enter or leave the performance area during a performance. This is VERY distracting for the performers and for those enjoying the performance. 

You are expected to respect venue property:

• Remain in assigned areas. Your club will be directed to an area to store your props for the day.
• Use only props and materials you have brought.
• Clean up after your club.
• There are many doors to the auditorium. Please only use marked doors. 
• There is a large audience area. Please stay in the main area and keep members out of the areas that are “off limits”- this includes the gym space adjoining the performance area.  
• We are often not the only guests at the venue. Please respect the other events happening.

You are expected to clean up after your own act:

• Please leave things as you found them.
• No pop, other beverages, or food are allowed in the auditorium!

REMEMBER:  Share the Fun involves many people and it needs the help and cooperation from everyone to make it fun and enjoyable for all. Most importantly, please use good sportsmanship and have FUN!!!!