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Rules - Departments 1-10

Premium Checks

1. No premium checks will be re-issued. Checks are only valid for 90 days.
2. Premium checks will be available at Livestock Office/4-H Center (Jr. Exhibitors & Clubs) and Jordan Hall (Sr. Exhibitors), during Fair week on Friday after 8 pm., Saturday, 8 am - 9 pm, and Sunday, - 9 am - 2 pm. (Note: These are NOT exhibit release times.) (Please ask staff if they have a check for you!)
3. Please make every effort to pick up your check BEFORE you leave the fairgrounds. After Sunday, checks will be available at the Fair Office, they will NOT be mailed. (Please ask staff if they have a check for you!) Checks are only valid for 90 days!
4. If you wish to have your premium check mailed, please provide a stamped self-address envelope. Give the envelope to the Livestock office or Jordan Hall personnel.
5. Departments 11-24 Exhibits may be removed from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Saturday July 27 and on Sunday, July 28 from 8 am - 2 pm. After July 28, exhibits may be picked up at the fair office. NOTE: Exhibits not picked up by August 31 will become the property of the Fair and given to charity.
5. Livestock is dismissed on Saturday at 2:00 pm. No exceptions!
6. Consignor (exhibitor) checks will be mailed as soon as all buyers have paid for their purchases from Jr Livestock Sale. The Fair Office does not issue the checks for the Livestock Sale! Please contact the sale committee if you have any questions.

Rules and Policies

101. Livestock and Horse and Pony entries close June 21, 2024. No entry fees. No entries will be accepted after the entry deadline.
102. All Livestock Superintendents, Vo-Ag and Extension personnel are requested to attend a meeting at the Fairground Office in June. Important matters pertaining to the judging schedule, assignment of stall space, etc. will be discussed and finalized at this time.
103. Livestock will be received on the Fairgrounds from Friday, July 21 until noon Sunday, July 23. (Also see specie specific rules). In case of emergency to meet this rule, call the fair office 814-623-9011. The Fair reserves the right to close entries when available space is filled.
104. Livestock may be removed after 2:00 p.m. Saturday at which time the barns will be closed to visitors. Animals sold in the Junior Livestock Sale are excluded from this rule. All animals, in so far as possible, will be removed and loaded from the West (upper) ends of the barn. No trucks or trailers are to be loaded from the East (lower) ends of the barns.
105. Every animal must be entered for competition in the name of the owner as listed on registration papers. Joint ownership considered to be one owner.
106. Exhibitor Defined: An exhibitor must be the owner or member of partnership or family owning the animal. In case a herd or flock is registered in the names of different members of the family and where the herd or flock is one unit, all entries will considered as a single exhibitor. 4-H and FFA members are excluded from this rule if they enter open class in their own name.
107. No exhibitor may enter more than two (2) animals in any class.
108. Each exhibitor is responsible for the care of their own animals
109. Each animal or pen of animals must be identified by breed and age on cards displayed to be easily seen by viewers.
110. An exhibitor of livestock is entitled to 1 weekly ticket for each six (6) animals entered.
Exhibitors not old enough to drive will receive a wrist band and 1 car and passenger pass per family. Exhibitors who drive will only receive a wrist band.
Each additional exhibitor's pass will be $23.00 to be sold only for person assisting the exhibitor with animals. No extra livestock helper passes will be sold after noon on Monday.
111. Livestock trucks and trailers CANNOT park for the week or overnight in the livestock parking area. A designated area will be marked for trucks/trailers on the East side of grounds. Horse exhibitors may arrange for one or two truck/trailers for tack.
112. Animals must be properly clipped, washed and stalls maintained daily. Failure to provide for proper care and display of animals my result in a loss of premiums to the exhibitor and/or dismissal from the Fairgrounds.
113. Bedding for the animals may be straw, sawdust, shavings, or chips. No bark or shredded newspaper may be used.
114. NO COOKING OR REFRIGERATORS ARE ALLOWED IN THE BARNS, INCLUDING CROCKPOTS!
115. Show Ring Ethics - Exhibitors of animals at the Bedford County Fair 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 agricultural 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 the Fair.
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 this code of ethics will forfeit premiums, awards and auction proceeds and may be prohibited from future Fairs. 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:
A. All exhibitors must present, upon request of show officials, proof of ownership, length of ownership and age of all animals entered. Misrepresentation of ownership, age or any fact relating thereto is prohibited.
B. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers, or absolutely responsible persons shall provide animal health certificates from licensed veterinarians upon request by show officials.
C. Junior exhibitors are expected to care for and groom their animals while at the show.
D. 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 animal 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 and state statues, regulations and rules. Livestock shall not be exhibited if the drugs administered in accordance with federal, or state 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 approved 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 question and correctly reflects the condition of the animal at the time the sample was taken, with the burden on the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to prove otherwise.
At any time after an animal arrives on the Fair 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.
E. 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 licensed veterinarian for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal, is prohibited.
F. 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.
G. Direct interference with the judge, show management, other exhibitors, breed representatives, or show officials before, during, or after the competitive event is prohibited. In the furtherance of their official duty, all judges, 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.
H. 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.
I. The application of this code of ethics provides for absolute responsibility for an animal's condition by an 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.
J. 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 Commission for violation of this Code of Show Ring Ethics. The act of entering an animal is giving of consent that any proceedings or disciplinary action taken by the fair officials 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.
K. The act of entering of an animal in the show is the giving of verification by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person that he or she has read the Code of Show Ring Ethics and understands the consequences of and penalties provided for actions prohibited by the code. It is further a consent than any action which contravenes these rules and is also in violation of federal and state statues, regulations, or rules may be released to appropriate law enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over such infractions.
L. USE CAUTION WHEN FITTING YOUR ANIMALS. Be sure to use only grooming products that are approved for use on meat and dairy animals when fitting your animals for show. Unapproved products may contain ingredients that result in unacceptable residues in the meat or milk. If you are not certain that a product is residue safe and approved for use on meat or dairy animals, do not us it! **Important!" If upon slaughter treatment with drugs, biologics, or any chemical from fitting products, is the cause of condemnation of a carcass, the loss of the carcass and any other damages will be borne by the exhibitor.
Any and all animals entered and shown at the Bedford Co Fair are the sole responsibility of the exhibitor. If an animal tests positive for a non-approved substance; i.e. performance enhancing or non-approved for food producing animals, the exhibitor will be held accountable no matter the circumstances, date of purchase, or date of taking possession of the animal. The top 3 market animals will immediately be taken to the designated drug testing area for a sample once the grand drive has ended. The official veterinarian will release the exhibitor and animal once testing is deemed complete.
The Bedford County Fair and it's officers, reserve the right to randomly drug test any livestock exhibited at the Bedford County Fair. Non-approved pharmaceuticals are 100% prohibited! This includes substances not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for slaughter animals that may be destined for human consumption. This includes the use of all products that are not FDA approved including but not limited to any unapproved growth stimulant, beta-agonists, diuretics, or other unapproved medication meant for human usage that are intended for performance enhancing purposes. All utilized pharmaceuticals should be in compliance with Pennsylvania standards, USDA, and/or USDA/Food Safety/safety standards.
If any substance found in the obtained sample is non-approved, then the individual exhibitor will be subject to the following penalties:
(A) Disqualified from exhibiting at the Bedford County Fair for one year.
(B) Any & all money will be forfeited.
(C) All awards (banners, buckles, etc.) must be returned to the Department Committee immediately regardless of situation or will be billed at the Committee's discretion.
(D) Will be responsible to pay any and all fees for the blood test results.
116. Electric cords used in the barns must be 12AWG.
117. Grooming: Use only grooming products that are approved for use on meat animals when fitting any animal for show. Any animal showing evidence of unethical fitting practices such as tampering with the natural fleshing and muscle development (including but NOT limited to drenching and pumping fluids) will be barred from the show and sent home. The exhibitor will also be barred from exhibiting at the fair for one year. In the event of an animal illness, the exhibitor should notify and consult the species' superintendent.
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