The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) if the stated state fair objectives for 4-H participants are consistent with the outcomes anticipated by 4-H participants, (2) the relationship of selected descriptive variables to the outcomes anticipated by 4-H participants, (3) the extent to which the stated objectives for 4-H participants are consistent with actual outcomes reported by 4-H participants, and (4) the relationship of selected descriptive variables to the actual outcomes reported by 4-H participants;The sample studied included 4-H'ers with advance entries in the communication department, livestock department, clothing programs and judging contests at the 1989 Iowa State Fair. A random stratified sample of 850 youth was selected and surveyed in advance of and after the state fair. Response rates of 79.5% and 51.6% were obtained for the respective surveys;Data obtained by the questionnaires were statistically analyzed including calculation of means, standard deviations, t-test and oneway analysis of variance. The post-hoc Scheffe test was used to identify where differences among multiple subgroup means existed at the.05 significance level;The stated objectives for 4-H participants were found to be consistent with the outcomes anticipated by 4-H participants. However, the extent to which stated objectives wee consistent with actual outcomes reported 4-H participant were moderately low to moderately high;Females consistently had higher expectations than males and to a less extent reported higher outcomes than males. Major differences were also found by departments for both expected and actual outcomes;When contrasting anticipated outcomes and actual outcomes the actual outcomes were consistently lower;This information should provide program planners direction as they make changes to increase the effectiveness of the Iowa State Fair in helping to achieve the 4-H mission.