The Switzerland County Extension Office has been working hard to get this years Switzerland County 4-H Fair up and going. This year’s fair gets underway this Saturday, July 1st, and runs through Saturday, July 8th.
4-H is one of the largest youth organizations in the country, and it holds true here in Switzerland County, with over 320 youth involved.
“This past year, 4-H and its leaders have focused on retaining members with new letters and activities and building the number of members up,” Switzerland County extension educator Nathan Crane said. “The hardest year for a 4-H’er is their first year.”
New activities for this year include trying to involve families. They will be bringing food after the youth rally and bonfire this Sunday, July 2nd.
On Friday, July 7th there will be a dance at the community building chaperoned by adults for 4-H members. Members will be allowed in free with their 4-H card and friends will be charged $5. It is sponsored by the junior leaders from 8:30-10:30 p.m., for 3rd to 12th graders.
Switzerland County had the highest number of kids attending the 4-H camp than any other county around. Switzerland County had 46 kids from the area at camp, which was held during the first week of June. The Switzerland County Fairboard helped pay for the participation in camp and the kids only had to pay 25-percent of the tuition.
The 4-H members will be showing their projects once again. There are over 60 projects that a 4-H member can choose from. The members choose projects which interest them; and the exhibit represents a part of what the member learned in the project that year, and is usually displayed and evaluated at the County Fair.
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Rides will once again be part of the fair this year; the rides will be provided by C & E Entertainment. The ride company will have a special bracelet night each night — starting at 5 p.m.
On Monday, July 3rd, a ride bracelet will be $8; on Tuesday, July 4th through Thursday, July 6th, the ride bracelet will be $10; and on Friday, July 7th and Saturday July 8th, the ride bracelet will be $12.
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The Switzerland County Fairboard will also be cutting a ribbon today (Thursday) on its new cattle and swine barn.
The new barn has a grooved concrete floor for drainage for animal safety and sanitation. It has a larger wash bay for cattle and swine; and it is elevated and has better ventilation and circulation for the air to cool.
The barn also has brand new cattle ties and hog pens. The entire thing has gates so nothing can escape; brighter and more efficient lighting; and is completely handicap accessible.
Contribution were made for the new barn by The Paul Ogle Foundation; the Switzerland County Council; the Vevay-Switzerland County Foundation; the Community Foundation of Switzerland County; and the Cotton and Posey Township Trustees.
The United Fund of Switzerland County helped with the bleachers at the grandstand and the shelter.
Dave O’Mara Contracting donated the water diversion and did the handicap access ramps around the show arena and the swine barn.
A new sound system is being put in place out of the Riverboat Revenue Sharing Funds; also the goat and sheep barn received a new shelter and the show arena was gated and painted out of those funds.
The Switzerland County Tourism Board sponsored the horse pull and the swap meet and will be sponsoring the Tractor Pull on Saturday, August 26th.
“There is a lot of pride in our programs,” Nathan Crane said. “We look forward each year in seeing what the kids have learned, and hearing about the fun they had while participating.”
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Here’s a look at some of the highlights of this year’s Switzerland County 4-H Fair:
— Saturday, July 1st: 8-11 a.m.: Poultry and other fowl check in. 2:30 p.m.: Poultry and other fowl and market eggs show.
— Sunday, July 2nd: Noon: Horse and pony show. 6:30 p.m.: Youth Rally and bonfire.
— Monday, July 3rd: 8-11 a.m.: Rabbit check in. 1 p.m.: tractor driving contest at the grandstand. 2 p.m.: lawn and garden tractor driving contest at the grandstand. 5:30 p.m.: Rabbit show. 7 p.m.: Quad runners at the grandstand; Little Miss and Little Mister Contest at the community building.
— Tuesday, July 4th: 6 a.m. to noon: livestock check in. 5:30 p.m.: Center Square Baptist Church lasagna dinner. 6:30 p.m.: Swine show. 7 p.m.: Horse, pony, and mule pull at the grandstand.
— Wednesday, July 5th: 8:30 a.m. to noon: livestock pictures. 9 a.m. to noon: livestock record sheets due. 9 a.m.: Dog show in the community building. 1 p.m.: 4-H Fun Day at the livestock arena. 6:30 p.m.: Baby contest at the community building. 6:30 p.m.: Sheep show. 7 p.m.: Bluegrass music at the grandstand.
— Thursday, July 6th: 10 a.m.: Mini 4-H Fun Day at the grandstand. 1 p.m.: Beef show. 4:30 p.m.: Cat show at the community building. 5:30 p.m.: Meat goat show. 6 p.m.: Kiddie Pedal Pull. 7 p.m.: Truck drags at the grandstand.
— Friday, July 7th: 9 a.m.: Shooting Sports demonstration at the grandstand. 1 p.m.: Dairy show. 5:30 p.m.: Dairy goat show. 7 p.m.: Antique tractor pull at the grandstand.
— Saturday, July 8th: 10:30 a.m.: Round Robin Showmanship competition. 1 p.m.: Award program for Exhibit Hall project winners. 3 p.m.: Auction barbecue. 4 p.m.: 4-H Livestock Auction. 6:30-10 p.m.: Release of 4-H projects. 8 p.m.: Mud run at the grandstand.
— Sunday, July 9th: Noon to 2 p.m.: Release of 4-H projects.
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All grandstand events are $7 for ages six and above; with children age five and under admitted free. Also available are pit passes for ages 16 and up only.