4-H Takes the Fair in Style

If you drive by the fairgrounds this week you can't help but notice the ferris wheels, crowded parking lot, and colorful lights. Yes, the fair is officially opened and it is ten days loaded down with fun, activities, and shows. The great thing about this county fair, and what separates it from other fairs, is that this is an old time agriculture fair. We have exhibits, booths, cake competitions, homemade wine competitions, the national chicken bog cook off, and live farm animals. If you look closely you can even see that popular four leaf clover with the 4-H's in almost every building.
My favorite place to see the 4-H clover is in the Al Parnell Home Exhibits Building. In that building you will find four of our clubs that worked hard to create educational booths. They are some of the most creative offerings I have seen in a long time and offer fair goers an idea of some of the things that go on in 4-H.
Young Leaders 4-H Club created a booth titled "4-H is Always in Season". They decorated with green and white greenery (after all 4-H colors are green and white)and spread various pieces of curriculum out so people can see the different things that you can experience in 4-H.
Voices In Praise 4-H Club created a booth that made me want to put on a sweater while making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The theme for their booth was "Fall into 4-H" and it had a colorful fall theme complete with falling leaves and a scarecrow. Each leaf had a different activity that youth can complete in 4-H, and trust me that means there are a lot of leaves in that booth.
The Horsin' Around 4-H Club took second place in educational booths with their "Horses From Around the World" theme. Between the saddles, stick horses, and other western attire there were photos, maps, and descriptions of horses from all corners of the world. If a person could take enough time to read it all they could learn about horses we have never even seen or heard of in this country.
The "Dirty Rascals" Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club took first place and best overall educational booth with their "Sun Down on the Farm" booth. This solar exhibit showed how our youth are thinking "green" by using and promoting solar energy. The youth also had flyers on how to make a solar oven, solar s'mores, and a solar coloring book. You could say it was a very bright idea for a booth.
The booths are just one part of the 4-H fair experience. Each day there is at least one, if not several 4-H events. Those events are just the tip of the iceberg. For more information about the fair, schedule, and events check out the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair web site at www.robesoncountyfair.com. You will also be able to see photos of the different events and people at the fair.