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The Franklin County Fair has a long and rich tradition of supporting 4-H programs and 4-H youth. For more than a century, the Fair has been a place for 4-H members to come together to showcase their skills, craftsmanship, showmanship, and their animals.

The Franklin County Fair has a long and rich tradition of supporting 4-H programs and 4-H youth. For more than a century, the Fair has been a place for 4-H members to come together to showcase their skills, craftsmanship, showmanship, and their animals.

The 172nd Annual Franklin County Fair kicked off Sunday with poultry judging, horses in place, Holstein and red and white cattle in place, and a demolition derby.

It will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 14, with an open beef show and tractor pulls. You can take a spin on the Tilt-a-Whirl or a ride on the Ferris Wheel, enjoy fried dough, and take in a Monster Truck Show (Aug. 10), a demolition derby (Aug. 11), or a concert by Rodney Atkins and Tracy Byrd (Aug. 12) or Walker Hayes and Tigirlily (Aug. 13).

It’s also an opportunity to learn about or show your support for 4-H, America’s largest youth development organization.

4-H is almost certainly the most highly recognized of all Cooperative Extension programs. And the Franklin County Fair has a long and rich tradition of supporting 4-H programs and 4-H youth. For more than a century, the Fair has been a place for 4-H members to come together to showcase their skills, craftsmanship, showmanship, and their animals. The Fair isn’t actually a part of the 4-H program. and Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Fair Board are not directly related. But both organizations have been cooperating for generations to assure continued success.

Franklin County 4-H club members will be exhibiting their projects in the 4-H Youth Building (located behind the commercial exhibits building.) The 4-H Fair theme for 2022 is: “4-H Together Wherever.”

Parents are invited to take a relaxing break from the midway while children of all ages enjoy live, interactive activities (e.g. butter making) on the 4-H Stage daily from 1 to 3 p.m., or visit the small animal petting zoo, the Build a Tower Pit, and the Kinetic Sand and Lego Tables. It’s all free!

While you’re there, stop by the Clover Corner Eats Concession Stand, where you can try a walking taco made with locally-sourced beef, cheese, and sour cream, or a Stewart’s milkshake, fresh popcorn, cotton candy, and much more. Clover Corner Eats is open daily from noon to 6 p.m.

The effort, creativity, and teamwork put forth by 4-H leaders and volunteers, and the hard work of our 4-H club members as they ready their displays with the posters, crafts, woodworking, sewing, and gardening projects that they’ve submitted for judging is often inspirational. And words cannot describe the love, pride and individual care given by these remarkably enthusiastic boys and girls to their exceptionally well-cared-for animals. They won’t all go home with blue ribbons but, as far as I’m concerned, they’re all winners.

Visitors are encouraged to view these much-loved animals in their pens and stalls and to enjoy the many equestrian and livestock exhibits, demonstrations, shows, and competitions taking place during the week.

Monday, Aug. 8: Children’s Day

• 8 a.m.: 4-H Horse Show (New Riding Arena)

• 10 a.m.: 4-H Youth Dairy Show

• 8 a.m.: 4-H Horse Beginner Show and Miniature Horse Show (New Riding Arena)

• 2 p.m.: 4-H Sheep Showmanship & Conformation in Sheep Barn

• 8 a.m.: Combined Open and 4-H Youth Goat Shows (Inside Arena)

English Horse Show (Riding Arena)

Thursday, Aug. 11: Children’s Day; Senior Citizen’s Day; Sensory Perception Day

• 10 a.m.: 4-H Youth Goat Showmanship — Pack and Costume (Inside Arena)

• 8 a.m.: All day Pony & Horse Show (New Riding Arena)

• 2 p.m.: 4-H Youth Colored Breeds Show (Inside Arena)

• 6 p.m.: 4-H Youth Beef Show (Inside Arena)

• 9 a.m.: Cattle Judging — Colored Breeds

Open Sheep Show (Sheep Barn)

• 1 p.m.: 4-H Wearable Creations Fashion Show (4-H Building) Young designers walk the catwalk dressed in clothing they created (e.g. hats, mittens, felt purses, tee shirt dresses)

Ask a 4-H youth-member what 4-H is about and you’ll get answers like fun, learning, and doing really cool things. But 4-H is much more than that. It’s about friendships that will span generations, sharing time and experiences with others, and learning and discovering new abilities, talents, and skills that can be used throughout one’s lifetime. It’s about family and community responsibility, hard work and success, and developing attitudes and habits that will help us all meet today’s challenges and the challenges of the future, as well. And it’s about building a world in which youth and adults learn, grow, and work together as catalysts for positive change.

4-H grows true leaders; youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. Independent research confirms that 4-H youth are more likely to contribute to their communities, make healthier choices, be civically active, and/or participate in STEM programs.

So, check out 4-H at the Franklin County Fair August 7 to 14. Maybe you’ll find a club that fits your child’s interests. And if you’d like to get involved as well, why not become one of the many parents, volunteers, and community leaders sharing their time and talent with our 4-H youth?

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