With the weather heating up and the calendar turning to July it can only mean one thing – the Barton County Fair is coming! As I begin my 25th year with Barton County Extension I am seeing second generation 4-H’ers growing and learning through one of the best youth programs around. Kids who were active 4-H’ers in the 1990’s now want their own children to gain from similar experiences. Fair time activities give youngsters a chance to showcase what they have learned from the 4-H projects they enrolled in last fall.
If you can fit another activity into the week ahead I hope you will join us Monday, July 1st at 7 p.m. at the Crest Theater for the 4-H Fashion Revue. Members and leaders from TLC Twisters and Busy Buzzers 4-H clubs will transform the Crest theater stage into the land of the munchkins complete with lollipop kids. More than 50 4-H members will model the clothes they either constructed or purchased as part of their clothing project. Some dance/talent routines will be scattered throughout the evening program to make it one enjoyable event.
Other important fair dates to remember include: Monday, July 8th at 5 p.m. is the set up at the Expo grounds and buildings. 4-H families and superintendents will work together to transform the exhibit area following a “Wizard of Oz” theme. Wednesday, July 10th from 8 a.m. - noon is check in for all exhibits (4-H and open class) except perishables. Whatever your interests or talents are I’m sure there is an opportunity to show it at the Fair. Stop by for a copy of the fair book if you have any questions on how to enter.
Another date I want to highlight is Friday, July 12th at 7:30 a.m. The Business Appreciation Breakfast is prepared by Dick and Reva Dougherty, along with their son, Stacy. Current Extension Board members will be on hand to serve the free pancakes and sausage breakfast to all of our business community that comes out to Expo II. 4-H families provide some great door prizes for this fun event.
And finally the 4-H beef barbecue is set for Sunday, July 14th with serving from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The barbecue is the main fund raising event for 4-H council which helps to fund many 4-H activities throughout the year. So for an excellent meal and to help a great organization I hope you will buy your tickets soon. Tickets are $7 but after July 1st they are $8. Call or come by the Extension office if you do not know a 4-H’er you can contact.
Of course each day of the fair is packed with lots of events; I have just highlighted a few in my column space today. I hope to see you all at the Fair!
Donna Krug is the Family and Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Barton County. You may reach her at: (620)793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu