Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 30th Interviews Date/Time: May 13th, 2024, 4-8-pm ( individual time slots) Interview Location: California Mid-Winter Fair Grounds Dates of Fair 2025: February 28th-March 16th
Thank you for your interest in the California Mid-Winter Fair Junior Fair Board for the term of 2024-2026. The Junior Fair Board (JFB) is a group of outstanding Imperial County youth who serve as Ambassadors for the fair, assist with livestock shows during the fair, host school days, special persons day, and produce special events like High School Madness. Serving as a member is a great way to meet kids from other schools in the Imperial Valley and a wonderful way to serve your community while learning about Agriculture and the fair business.
Requirements:
School Year: you must currently be a sophomore in an Imperial County high school when you submit your application. And able to serve a two-year term, ( Junior and Senior Year).
Grade point average: 3.0 or better
Commitment: You must be willing to make the activities of the Junior Fair Board your top priority before and during the California Mid-Winter Fair, September- May. ( see more below)
Animal Experience: It is not required to be a member of 4-H or FFA, however animal experience is highly valued and appreciated.
Transportation: Junior Fair Board members are expected to provide their own transportation to JFB meetings and events.
Junior Fair Board schedule commitment and responsibilities
Junior Fair Board members have a lot of fun, but they work hard. The following is a brief outline of the duties and responsibilities of a Junior Fair Board member. It is important for both you and your parents to know in advance what is expected of you and the time that will be required.
Parades: local parades, including but not limited to; the Cattle Call Parade/Brawley, El Centro Christmas Parade, Imperial Lights Parade, and the Holtville Carrot Parade. (Parades are on Saturdays, besides Imperial )
Monthly Meetings Times: Sept-May. Traditionally, we meet on the 1st or 2nd Monday of the month at the fairgrounds, at 6 or 7:00 pm for approx 1 hour. (We will confirm meetings times at 1st mtg)
Meetings closer to Fair: In January we meet several times and in February meetings are weekly until the opening of the Fair.
Fair Time Schedule: Work begins the week before the fair starts. Members can anticipate missing school Thursday afternoon and Friday for animal weigh-ins and more preparation.
First weekend of fair Saturday and Sunday: A primary responsibility of a JFB member is working with and assisting with the livestock shows. This includes all tasks necessary to run a livestock show. It’s important to have good people skills as you will be working closely with our livestock staff and JFB advisors. Duties could include; computerwork, talking on the microphone, assisting with animals, interacting with exhibitors, parents, and the public while representing the fair with a positive and respectful attitude.
High School Madness/Other special events: the JFB produces High School madness which is a very popular event and requires lots of planning.
School Tours and Special Peoples’ Day: during the week of the fair (2 days) from 8:30 am-12/1 pm.
Weeknights: 4:00-4:30 every evening for activities that the JFB assists with such as Round Robin, which can last until 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm.
(This is a very busy and tiring week. and can be difficult to keep up with your studies-even the best students’ grades can suffer. You are expected to participate in everything, so bear this in mind when you apply)
Auction: Junior Fair Board members may volunteer to help with the livestock auctions which are held on a Friday night on Saturday (all day).
Junior Fair Board uniforms: are provided for members. You would be required to supply your own jeans and boots or closed toed shoes for your safety.
Code of Conduct: Junior Fair Board members and their parents will be required to review and sign a Code of Conduct that will outline the expectations of Junior Fair Board members. Any Behavior deemed unacceptable by the California Mid-winter fair board of directors, fair management, or JFB Board Advisers may be cause for dismissal.
Media Training: Members are also required to attend an 1 ½ hour media/PR training in order to participate at the fair. ( normally held on a regular JFB mtg night)
Public Representation/ Media: If you are chosen as a JFB member, as a representative of the Fair, your role as a JFB member will require you to often be in the public eye. Which may include being photographed or appearing in promotional fair materials including social media.
Working w/Animalsand in the elements: as a JFB member the majority of your job responsibility will require working with and being around animals. If there is some reason you can’t be around animals, this is not a job for you! Also, most of the work of the JFB member is outside at the fairgrounds, rain or shine, or windy weather.
Livestock Exhibitors/ Multiple animals:
If you have an animal at the fair, we will work around your show times, however if you have multiple animals it may be challenging for you to commit to being a JFB member so please take this into consideration when applying.
New: 2025 Extended Fair Dates; the dates will be extended, however the fair will be closed two days. Please note that it has not yet been confirmed how this will change the JFB responsibilities, which will be confirmed at a later date.
Interview Contact Info: If you have been selected to be interviewed, you will be notified by cell phone by a JFB advisor to set up an interview time. If your contact info changes after you have submitted your application, it is your responsibility to notify the fair office with your updated info. To Apply: Please fill out the online application by clicking on the button below. Your digital signature and the digital signature of a parent/guardian is required on the online form. This will verify that you and your parents understand what is expected of you if you are selected to serve on the California Mid-Winter Fair Junior Fair Board. We look forward to meeting you, and good luck. Thank you.