General Rules

WCFA General Rules
The Executive Board of the Walker County Fair Association reserves the final and absolute right to interpret these rules and regulations and to arbitrarily settle and determine all matters, questions and differences pertaining to the Walker County Fair. The Executive Board reserves the right to amend these rules as deemed advisable. Any person who violates any of the General Rules or Division Rules as published, may result in the forfeiture of premiums and awards, disqualification, and placement on probationary status and/or loss of eligibility for future participation in Walker County Fair competition.
The following rules and regulations have been adopted by the Executive Board:
1.) All exhibitors of sale animals or other sale projects must be members in good standing of FFA, FCCLA, or 4-H in Walker County; All WCF exhibitors must be academically eligible to check in or show any fair project. Any student attending a district not in session during the Fair will be held to the same academic standard as if they were in session. These students must be passing all classes regardless of the student holiday, must live in Walker County and/or attend a TEA-accredited school in Walker County and must have primary responsibility, in Walker County or the county of residence, for the care, feeding, workmanship and preparation of their animals or other projects. Any request for exception of this rule must be submitted, prior to tag-in, in writing to the Executive Board of the WCFA for consideration at its next regular meeting. Approval must be by two-thirds majority vote of those present.
2.) Each exhibitor will be permitted to sell one sale project, but may show in each class. The exhibitors of the champion (Grand or Reserve) animals must sell in their respective classes unless, in doing so, an exhibitor would be selling two champion animals. In such a case the exhibitor may choose which animal to sell. Other exhibitors must designate sale projects immediately after the judging of the last sale class in which they participate. Exhibitors will not be eligible to show a prospective sale project if they show or sell a sale project in an adjoining county during the current Walker County Fair year.
3.) All exhibitors of non-placing sale animals will have the option of selling their projects in the Youth Livestock Freezer Sale. It will be the responsibility of the WCFA Livestock Vice President to determine whether all animals remain on the Fairgrounds until the Freezer Sale.
4.) All exhibitors must wear numbered exhibitor cards while their entries are being judged. Exhibitor cards are to be secured from the Livestock office.
5.) Only in case of extreme hardship, and then only if a written request has been presented to and approved by the committee chairman, will an exhibitor be excused from showing an animal and being present at the sale.
6.) Decisions of the judges in the awarding of trophies and ribbons will be final.
7.) Exhibitors must own and care for their animals throughout the feeding period and must feed, care for, and exhibit animals with a minimum of aid and assistance. All animals will be subject to spot check by the appropriate committee members.
8.) Exhibitors will be required to keep stalls pens, or cages in clean, orderly condition.
9.) All livestock exhibitors must comply with State Animal Health Rules.
10.) No one will be allowed to bunk in the exhibit buildings or tents. Security personnel will be on duty after show hours.
11.) A. All animal entry fees are due at tag-ins designated in species division rules. All non-livestock entry fees will be due at the nonlivestock sign-up to be held at the Walker County Fairgrounds between the hours of 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the 3rd Thursday of February preceding the published fair dates and will be the only date on which Baked and Canned Goods, Supervised Projects, Horticulture and Fine Arts entries will be accepted.
B. The required fees will be $20 per animal/pen of animals; $20.00 per Supervised Project plus $5.00 additional per exhibitor on group projects; $5.00 per auction entry for Baked and Canned Goods, Horticulture, and Fine Arts.
C.) Each exhibitor must have a parent, guardian, or stand-in (21 years of age or older) to work a 2 hour shift for admissions. If this duty is not fulfilled the exhibitor must pay a $250 fine payable with certified funds or cash prior to collecting a freezer or premium sale check.
12.) The Walker County Fair Association, its Board of Directors, Officers, Officers-in-Charge, Committee Chairperson, Committeemen, Fair members, will not be liable for any personal injuries, damages, fire, theft, accidents and/or any matters resulting from or relating to the actions of any exhibitor, exhibitor’s immediate family member(s), parent(s), guardian(s), and/or representative(s), committeemen, volunteers, spectators, visitors, exhibits, animals.
13.) Any grievance must be submitted in writing to the appropriate committee chairman and must be accompanied by a $200 fee, which will be refunded only if the grievance is sustained. The Grievance Committee will be composed of Walker County Fair Association Executive Board members and will include five members and two alternates. At least five of the seven must be in attendance to rule upon any grievance submitted for consideration. No grievance shall delay any event.
14.) A commission fee of 8% of all sale proceeds will be deducted for the Walker County Fair Association. A “P.O.” will not be allowed on any item. 15.) All animal entries to the Walker County Fair will be subject, prior to the show, to approval by a screening committee composed of the appropriate committee members for each animal division. Animals will be evaluated as to health, condition, and overall presentation. The exhibitor of any animal declared to be unfit for the show will be asked to remove the animal from the Fairgrounds immediately.
16.) All youth exhibitors of the Walker County Fair must be present and participate in: A.) Any of the following work projects/events to obtain a minimum of four (4) required hours:
1) September Kickoff Jamboree
2) Work project or event designated by a committee chair
3) One of the designated work days prior to the spring fair 4) Volunteering at a WCFA fundraiser event Participation in the above activities will be for a minimum of 4 hours. The required 4 hours must be obtained no later than the Monday prior to the opening ceremonies or the exhibitor will be ineligible for participation or showing of project(s) at the Walker County Fair. Special consideration for alternate arrangements for work hours must be submitted in writing for approval by the Vice President over work hours.
B.) Exhibitors are required to attend the designated “clean-up” work day immediately following the Walker County Fair. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a $100 penalty. Designated substitutes are allowed to work for you if an approved note to your chairman is forwarded to the work hour committee prior to sign-in.
C.) Each exhibitor must have a parent, guardian, or stand-in (21 years of age or older) to work a 2 hour shift for admissions. If this duty is not fulfilled the exhibitor must pay a $250 fine payable with certified funds or cash prior to collecting a freezer or premium sale check.
D.) Each exhibitor receiving an award(s) and/or selling a project in the Walker County Fair is required to submit a thank you letter or thank you note in an unsealed, stamped and addressed envelope for each buyer (up to four) for award received or earned. These will be collected by the committee chair or an approved Fair Officer at the mandatory cleanup day at the conclusion of the Fair.
E.) All premium livestock and non-livestock exhibitors will be required to deliver the buyers picture and have buyer sign the provided form indicating they have received their picture, or their check will be withheld
17.) Exhibitors of all sale animals are responsible for the delivery of the animals to the buyers. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to contact the buyer and dispose of the animal according to the buyer’s wishes. Projects are the exhibitor’s responsibility to care for and feed up to seven days after the sale, unless other arrangements are made. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a 25% penalty of net sale proceeds.
18.) All resale animals and animals donated to the Walker County Fair Association will be resold by the Walker County Fair Association. These animals must be those shown by the exhibitor and not substitutes. The type and time of sale will be determined by the Chairman of the Youth Livestock Sale.
19.) Any member in good standing may address the meeting during Open Forum. The following rules shall prevail:
A.) A subject shall be allowed two (2) five minute addresses and two (2) five minute responses.
B.) A member may pass his time to a non-member, but must remain responsible for presentation.
C.) No votes will be taken on Open Forum presentations but can be placed on the Agenda for action at the following meeting.
20.) No pets, excluding service pets, are allowed in the following areas: Main Building, Livestock Area, Exhibitor Barn and Carnival area.
21.) Smoking is prohibited under the Livestock Barn, Committeeman’s Room and Main Building.
22.) No “FOR SALE” sign will be placed on any exhibitor’s item or entry in the Walker County Fair.
23.) Exhibitors may not announce or provide any sale incentives from the sale ring.
24.) Livestock hair trimming, cutting or clipping is prohibited on the Walker County Fairgrounds from the first Saturday of the Fair until Thursday after the premium sale.
25.) Animals will remain in their assigned stall/pen area except when in the show ring, weighing, wash area or en route to one of these three areas after checking in with the livestock office. Animals are not to be taken outside the fenced livestock barn grounds except to and from the Fair wash area. Only animal with a paid entry fee which is selected to be shown at the current Walker County Fair will be allowed in the fenced livestock area. Any exception to this rule must be submitted in writing and approved by the Livestock Vice President and Division Chairperson prior to entering or exiting the livestock area.
26.) Exhibitor’s projects are required to remain on the Fairgrounds in their designated area until the official checkout time posted in the Walker County Fair Daily Schedule. Any exception to this must be presented in writing to the Division Chairman and approved with the signatures of that Chairman and the Vice President.
27.) At no time will exhibitors, parents, or agents approach buyers with the intent or purpose of buying back their sale item(s).
28.) No decorating of any type will be allowed on sale (premium or freezer sale) animals. This includes paint, glitter, balloons, costumes, props, etc. Rabbits and chickens may be held or placed in a provided basket. Animal must be sold as it was exhibited in the show ring. Trophies/awards are acceptable.
29.)Monetary add-ons will be accepted from individual(s) or businesses for any youth sale item offered in an approved sale at Walker County Fair (Premium sale, Freezer sale, Horticulture, Supervised Projects, Art, and Baked & Canned Goods). Add-on forms will be available at the approved sales and livestock office during Fair week. Each add-on recipient will be notified of donor and amount in order to send thank you letters.
A.) Add-on monies received are not included in any maximum allowable price equations.
B.) Add-on money amount may be any dollar amount equal to or greater than $25.00 per child.
C.) Sale Pictures are not furnished by the exhibitor to the add-on money donors. Official pictures are not taken with add-on donors.
D.) Add-on monies are not reported on the final sale price of the project. For example: If a steer sells for $5000 and $100 is received in add-on, the sale price is shown as $5000.
E.) Add-on is a donation since the donor does not get a share of the project to which it is being applied. Add-on donors are not entitled to any percentage of the project being contributed to.
F.) All add-on donations must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on the closing day of the Fair. Under no circumstances will add-ons be accepted after this time.
G.) Add-on money has the same commission percentage deducted as other project sales at the Walker County Fair.
30.) For showmanship competition, exhibitors must use the same animal officially checked in under their name for the Walker County Fair.
31.) All pens will be numbered and assigned by drawing prior to livestock check in.
32.) No solicitation from unauthorized individuals or groups will be allowed on the Fairgrounds. THE WALKER COUNTY FAIR LIVESTOCK SHOW CODE OF ETHICS A.)
A.) This code of ethics applies to anyone exhibiting animals at livestock shows in Walker County. It includes junior as well as openclass exhibitors who compete in structured classes of competition. All classes of livestock offered at the livestock events are included: Cattle (Beef), Goats (meat), and other specialty animals, including poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine, and any other livestock classes offered. This “Walker County Fair Livestock Show Code of Ethics” will be amended automatically to include any additional rules and regulations that individual livestock committees impose at the local, county, state, regional, and national levels.
B.) The following practices or procedures are unacceptable and are defined as being deceptive, fraudulent, unethical, and inhumane in the care, fitting, preparation, and showing of all classes of livestock. The use of any illegal drugs is prohibited. (See rule #5 of the Walker County Fair Livestock Show Code of Ethics.) Use of illegal drugs is considered a premeditated act. Furthermore, any information obtained pertaining to the practice of illegal alteration of an animal by or on behalf of an exhibitor will be turned over to the proper authorities for possible criminal prosecution. Exhibitors will forfeit any premiums, awards, or auction proceeds and will be prohibited from further competition at future shows in Walker County for not less than 400 days as well as being subject to potential criminal prosecution.
C.) The following is a listing of guidelines all exhibitors must follow to enter livestock at organized competitive events:
1.) All exhibitors must have viable proof of ownership available to prove length of time animals have been owned. Market animals (beef, sheep, swine, meat goat), small market animals (rabbits and poultry), and animals of any other categories added later must be owned and under the exhibitor’s daily care to be eligible to participate at the Walker County Fair. The official ownership date is the date shown on the bill of sale or receipt of sale unless the animal was bred by the exhibitor, in which case calving or birth records will be utilized. (Individual Division Rules may determine ownership requirements for nonmarket animals.) Breed-association papers or certificates on registered breeding livestock must show the exhibitor as the sole owner of the animal.
2.) No exhibitor may show a market animal which has been previously sold at an auction or sale as a market animal through another regional or major livestock show. Any method used to misrepresent the age of an animal for a class in which it is shown is deceptive and considered to be illegal. Showing an animal for another individual by claiming ownership in order to show in a specific livestock class or event is prohibited. False ownership is illegal.
3.) Any animal that is to be exhibited in the Walker County Fair must be cared for in Walker County (EXCEPTION: see General Rule #1). They must be under the daily care of and trained, fitted, or groomed for the show by the Junior Exhibitor under the direction and assistance from parents, siblings, grandparents or legal guardians. Each Exhibitor and his/her immediate family member(s), parent(s), guardian(s), and/or representative agree that in exchange for participation in the Walker County Fair they will allow Walker County Fair Association representatives(s) permission to enter onto the property for the purpose of inspection of the animal(s).
4.) Treating an animal internally or externally with any irritant, counterirritant, or other substance used to artificially change the conformation or appearance of an animal for show is considered to be unethical and inhumane and is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, the use of graphite, air, powders, hemp, artificial hair coloring, common products such as fly spray, ointment or liniment used to the point that it is irritating, (unless required to reduce edema at time of calving), or similar products. The use of dyes, spray paints or other artificial colorings which result in altering an animal’s true and natural appearance and/or color is prohibited. Adding false hair or hair like material, fleece, or skin at any point, spot or area of the animal’s body is illegal and will result in immediate disqualification. Utilization of any liquid or substance not generally considered as part of an accepted and normal diet for livestock is deemed to be illegal and inhumane.
5.) All drugs administered must be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for use in meat-producing animals. All exhibitors must advise the Livestock Secretary in a signed Drug Form concerning any drugs and/or medications administered to an animal that might be detected at the time of showing or at meat inspection. The name of the drug, its purpose, the person who administered the drug, time and date of administration must be presented to the Livestock Secretary prior to the showing and sale of the animal. Failure to report this information to the Livestock Secretary will result in severe penalty and/or disqualification. Any use of drugs or substances not approved for the species being exhibited by the Food and Drug Administration is strictly prohibited. All animals entered into livestock competition will be subject to testing for foreign substances that exceed levels established by the FDA, FSIS, USDA, or EPA. 6.) Emergency Treatment: If an animal requires emergency treatment while on the Walker County Fairgrounds, only a licensed veterinarian will be allowed to administer any drug, chemical or feed additive. An exhibitor may choose a licensed veterinarian of their choice but medications/drugs must be administered by the chosen veterinarian in the direct presence of the respective Division Chairman and/or Livestock Vice President. Medication/Drugs with withdrawal time shall be documented in writing by the attending veterinarian and furnished to the Division Chair immediately after treatment. All treatment costs are the responsibility of the exhibitor. 7.) Animal/Exhibitor Disqualification: To foster fair competition, to provide a level playing field and to protect the safety of food, the showing of unethically fitted livestock, livestock of any ineligible age for exhibition in the class entered, and/or animals being administered unapproved drugs is strictly prohibited. The Walker County Fair reserves the right to condemn and/or disqualify any animal, either live or slaughtered, found in violation of the Code of Ethics and the exhibitor will forfeit all auction sale and/or premium money if the animal is disqualified. A disqualified exhibitor will forfeit all rights and privileges to exhibit or participate in the Walker County Fair for a period of 400 days. a.) Unethical Fitting: Unethical fitting means any attempt to alter the natural appearance, conformation, musculature or weight of an animal by any unnatural means. Animals showing any signs of being unethically fitted will be disqualified. Examples of unethical fitting include, but are not limited to the following: • application of any substance to any part of the animal’s body, unless specifically allowed in the division rules of that species • use of injections • draining of fluids • bruising • feeding of material not conducive to the health of the animal, safety of food, or marketability of its carcass • surgical alterations (exceptions are castration and dehorning) • artificially filling animals by pumping or airing injections, stomach pumping or any other method (by esophagus or anal) • breaking of tails • use of electrical contrivances b.) Unapproved Drug Use: The showing of any animal that has been administered during its life any quantity of any unapproved drug, chemical or medication is strictly prohibited. Such drugs include, but are not limited to, any diuretic, unapproved growth stimulant or other unapproved medication. Unapproved means not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for slaughter animals including animals that may be destined for human consumption. c.) Approved Drug Use: Any animal that has been administered an FDA approved drug which has been documented on the Walker County Fair Drug Form will be retained by the exhibitor for feeding and care until withdrawal time has been fulfilled or exceeded. Exhibitor is responsible for delivery to buyer’s requested location when withdrawal time has been fulfilled. d.) Animal Inspection: As condition for participation in the Walker County Fair, exhibitor must agree to submit any animal entered by the exhibitor for inspection. The group composed of appropriate committee members for each animal division will evaluate the entry on health, condition and overall presentation. The exhibitor of any entry declared to be unfit will be required to remove the entry from the Fairgrounds immediately. Exhibitor agrees to have animal submitted to any tests requested by the Walker County Fair. Exhibitor also agrees that the opinion reached by the Walker County Fair or its officials as to whether such animal is unfit, unethically fitted or over age shall be final and binding. Further, the Walker County Fair specifically reserves the right to have tissue, blood or urine laboratory analysis made on any animal entered for competition. The conclusions reached by the laboratory shall be final and binding. An exhibitor of an animal that is found to be unethically fitted, over age, and/or testing positive for any drug or medication or unapproved chemical will forfeit all rights and privileges to exhibit or participate at the Walker County Fair for a period of 400 days. Retesting may be allowed only at the discretion of Walker County Fair officers and appropriate committee chairs. e.) Unmanageable Animals: The Division Chair and Livestock Vice President may disqualify any animal deemed unmanageable. f.) Non-adherence to Rules: Any person found guilty of misrepresentation or not abiding by the Walker County Fair rules will be disqualified and denied the privilege of exhibiting or participation in the Walker County Fair for a period of 400 days. 8.)Direct criticisms or interference with the Judge, WCFA Executive Board members, other exhibitors, breed representatives or committee members before, during, or after any competitive event are prohibited.
9.)At the time an animal is sold at auction at the livestock show, the exhibitor will be held directly responsible for animals that are rejected at a processing center due to the presence of foreign residues. The seller may be liable to the buyer for an amount equal to three times the purchase price and may also be liable for attorney’s fees and civil penalties. WCFA Directors may share intelligence and evidence and/or information with the FDA and USDA. If, for any reason, any part of a meat-animal carcass must be removed by the FDA or USDA, or by Texas Department of Health inspectors, the market price will be discounted.
10.) The WCFA reserves the right to require animal health certificates. Health inspections and diagnostic tests may be made before or after animals are on the livestock-show premises for exhibitor and animal safety, or to inaugurate disease-control procedures which may become necessary in emergencies as determined by animal-health officials. D.) In addition to the Texas Department of Health inspection of all show animals, each Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Third place, and one other random selection in each class/category of meat/market–division animals will be tested for zero tolerance for any undisclosed drug, chemical, or feed additive. Immediately following the judging phase a specimen will be collected. Parent or Legal Guardian and a Division Committee member must be in attendance during specimen collection or provide authority for Walker County Fair officials to collect the specimen for poultry and rabbits. E.) Any entry violating the Walker County Fair Livestock Show Code of Ethics will be disqualified. No reordering of the judged ranking of the animals will take place (i.e., the Reserve Champion will not be elevated to the Grand Champion position following the disqualification of the Grand Champion.) F.) The cost of a failed drug test will be the financial responsibility of the exhibitor presenting the animal failing the test. All other drug-testing costs will be borne by the Walker County Fair Association. G.) A statement of disclosure and drug-testing agreement will be signed by the exhibitor, parent, or guardian. H.) The use by non-veterinarians* of animal drugs or other substances in any manner other than in accord with the labeling approved by FDA is a violation of federal law. Exhibitor and exhibitor’s parents and/or guardians agree that: (1) they are absolutely and completely responsible persons for the care and custody of their animals, (2) the Walker County Fair Association shall be entitled to disqualify an exhibitor whose animal tests positive for any drug, even if the exhibitor and the exhibitor’s parents or guardians are innocent of any wrong-doing and did not administer the drug, (3) the drug test results of the testing laboratories are final and binding upon the exhibitor and the exhibitor’s parents and/or guardians. Even if the source of the drug is unknown, the Walker County Fair Association will be entitled to disqualify the exhibitor. * Abuse of the extra-label privilege by veterinarians is unethical and is subject to serious consequences such as license revocation. I.) All market steers, goats, sheep, swine and commercial heifers will have hair samples collected and prepared for storage and DNA testing at fair tag-in by each Division Committee in the presence of the exhibitor and/or parent or guardian. A random selection in each market steers, goats, sheep, swine and commercial heifers will be tested. Each animal may be subjected to additional hair sample collection for DNA identity verification by the Division Committee at the Walker County Fair. Any proven violators will receive lifetime banishment from further participation in the Walker County Fair. J.) Usage of Electronic Devices: Neither contestants nor exhibitors may be in possession of electronic communication or storage devices at any time during judging or while in the arena or in competition. These devices include but are not limited to cell phones, smartphones, Blackberries, personal computers, pagers, radio devices such as walkie talkies, and/or handless or wireless phone devices. K. Use of Electronic Communication: The Walker County Fair Association, WCFA, recognizes the use of electronic communication as a valid form of communication in any form to include but not limited to: social media site(s), electronic emails, text messages, posting on message boards or chat rooms or transfer of signs, signals, writing, images sounds or data of any nature transmitted in whole or part by electronic means. Any violation of the “Walker County Fair Livestock Show Code of Ethics” may result in forfeiture of premiums and awards, disqualification, and placement on probationary status and/or loss of eligibility for future participation in organized livestock competition. Possible civil penalties may be imposed by the proper authorities based upon evidence provided by the WCFA of exhibitors in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act or the animal mistreatment, neglect and abandonment laws that apply on the local, state and national levels.