Public speaking is an essential life skill that is critical to our workforce today. Start polishing those public speaking skills early by participating in 4-H presentations.

2026 Stanly 4-H Presentations and Talent Show aka County Activity Days

Some counties elect to have all 4-H'ers perform and present on the same day. Stanly County 4-H'ers will present and perform by appointment over a 2 week period. If you would like to participate in the 4-H Presentation Competition or 4-H Entertains Talent show, please contact the 4-H Office to reserve your time slot no later than Monday, March 9, 2026. This the deadline for scheduling your time slot during County Activity Days. Stanly County Activity Days will be Wednesday, March 25 - Wednesday, April 8.

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What is a 4-H Presentation?

4-H Presentations are 5-12 minutes long and are either demonstrations or illustrated talks. This means that you are either demonstrating how to do something or you are talking about a topic of interest and using props to add value to your presentation. Youth ages 5-7 (as of January 1 of the current year) are Cloverbuds and do not compete, but are allowed to participate with a presentation of any time length. Find out more about presentations on the NC 4-H website or contact the 4-H office at 704.983.3987.

How to put together a 4-H Presentation

Check out these videos to learn how to develop and deliver a 4-H presentation.

Presentation Example

Demonstration Example

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4-H Entertains Talent Show

4-H Entertains is not your typical competition activity. At District and State, awards are given for participation, not placement as in first, second, third. At District, acts will be video taped and a State committee will select one act per district for State 4-H Congress. The acts are selected for skill, content, entertainment value and to create a well rounded show. County 4-H District Activity Days and State 4-H Entertains is presented during Congress. Participants in the talent show should be 8 as of January 1 of the current year and not have had their 19 birthday as of Jan. 1.

4-H Entertains General Guidelines:

 

1. Talent acts may be presented by an individual or group.
2. Talent acts selected should appeal to youth audiences.
3. Talent acts may be drawn from dance, dramatic, variety, instrumental and vocal arts.
4. Each county may select a maximum of two acts to participate at the District level.
5. Each act should be a maximum of five (5) minutes.
6. Participants should consider the following items when selecting and presenting a talent act:
   1. audience appeal
   2. projection
   3. appropriate dress or costume
   4. poise
   5. staging-position and/or movement on stage
   6. skills in areas of presentation (talent)
   7. music should be in good taste and appropriate for all audiences, no vulgar language will be accepted in any lyrics
7. Animal acts, use of fire, groups requiring excessive time to set up and groups requiring special lighting are NOT allowed.
8. Digital music must be of good quality.