The 2016 Switzerland County 4-H fairgrounds filled with excited students and lots of different projects on Saturday morning as 4-H members brought their projects and checked them into the Exhibit Hall.
This year there are nearly 300 children enrolled in the Switzerland County 4-H program, which is about the same as last year. Along with that, there is a large number of children enrolled in the Mini 4-H program.
Those students had their choice of a wide variety of project areas from which to choose a project; with many students taking more than one project. Pair with those projects all of the exhibits that the county’s Mini 4-H members have brought to exhibit; and this year, Saturday saw approximately 700 projects come to the fairgrounds for judging.
That’s up slightly from last year’s number, so the 4-H program here in Switzerland County continues to grow.
Today (Thursday), many more projects will come to the fairgrounds as the Open Class exhibits, which can be entered by anyone in the county, are brought in for judging.
With many county children choosing to raise an animal as one of the their project areas, students are also required to enter an Exhibit Hall project in order to show their animal at the livestock arena.
With animals in the arena taking center stage each night and the auction this Saturday; as well as activities in and around the grandstands and events like the Baby Contest and the Little Miss and Mister contest; sometimes the Exhibit Hall projects don’t get the attention and appreciation that they deserve.
Those projects are foundational elements in the history of the program. With all of the choices, there’s something to peak every young interest.
For many children, the woodworking or photography or gift wrapping project is just as important as a livestock project.
The Exhibit Hall will be open today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) from 4-9 p.m.; and on Saturday from 2-6:30 p.m.
Projects in the Exhibit Hall will be released to exhibitors on Saturday from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
The Open Class Exhibits sponsored by the Switzerland County Homemakers Clubs may be entered today (Thursday) from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.; with judging taking place at 1 p.m. The Open Class exhibits will then be open for public viewing today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday) from 5-9 p.m.; and on Saturday from noon until 9 p.m.
The Commercial Building will also have plenty of activity, including the popular Switzerland County Farm Bureau, Inc., booth, where everyone can find some great ice cream as well as bid on some auction items; and there’s a children’s area, also.