State Representative
If you have driven down Pleasant Street in Noblesville lately, you may have seen a lot of activities at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds. Tents are going up, projects are being shuffled through the door, numerous volunteers are getting the livestock barns ready, and food vendors are setting up.
The Hamilton County 4-H Fair is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a place full of families and traditions, and each day is packed full of activities for all.
As it is with any successful event, it takes months of planning and hard work. The Purdue Extension staff, 4-H Council, Extension Board, 4-H’ers, leaders and volunteers work all year to prepare.
The fair officially opens on Thursday, July 19, and runs through Monday, July 23. Each day there will be different shows for 4-H’ers to display their animals including sheep, goats, swine, beef, horses, llamas, poultry, rabbits, cats, dogs and even pocket pets.
Daily, you will be able to enjoy many of the traditional favorite foods of the county fair. The Extension Homemakers offer meal specials each day along with many other selections. My favorite is always the chicken and noodles. The Joint Producers Group will have grilled cheese and rib-eye sandwiches, pork loin and many other selections. There will be 4-H chicken and beef barbecue, and a homemade ice cream contest, all of which – if you are there at the right moment – you can sample. On top of all of this is the food court where many local organizations will sell your favorite fair food like corn on the cob, elephant ears, funnel cakes, cobbler, snow cones, milk shakes, and so much more. You won’t be disappointed.
In the Exhibit Center, O.V. Winks Building and Annex Building, you will be able to see many projects of all types like paintings, photographs, sewing, Legos, woodworking, food, crafts, aquatic science and much more. You will see demonstrations of robotics, clogging, a fashion revue, public speaking, Extension Homemakers food, flower and craft shows, and a youth talent contest.
And if this isn’t enough, the fair hosts some great entertainment. On Thursday night, you can watch the Disney movie “Moana” – don’t forget to bring your lawn chair or blanket and watch it outside under the stars. On Friday night, Hunter Smith will perform and then on Saturday will be the Linda Lee concert.
Other activities include walking a llama, watching an antique tractor pull and parade, Sunday morning worship service, buying food items at the food auction, watching the pet parade and the Farmer Olympics, or joining in on the Color Me Green Run on Monday morning.
By now you may be thinking, “Wow, this is a lot to take in.” But there is so much more! You can find additional information on Facebook or by calling 317-776-0854.
The community has been a great supporter of 4-H and the Hamilton County 4-H Fair, and it is with the help of Riverview Health, Farmers Bank, Hamilton County Tourism, Breathe Easy Hamilton County, Red Wing Shoes, and Logan Street Signs and Banners that the fair and its activities are free to the public. You just can’t beat that!
So you may be wondering how I know so much about the county fair. It is my privilege to have worked with the Purdue Extension Board and the 4-H Council over the past 20 years.
You see, 4-H to me is a great opportunity for students, parents and volunteers to build a great foundation for our youth by learning life skills, being part of a team, working hard, meeting goals and having responsibilities. A 4-H’er can set their path to be as big or as little as they want.
This year, 96 students will be recognized as 10-year members. This means they have been dedicated to the program and completing projects over the past 10 years. If you are interested in discovering more about the 4-H program, stopping by the fair will give you a great firsthand look at the program and opportunity to see it in action.
I hope you will join me in supporting our youth, sharing in some fun, visiting with friends, enjoying some great food and helping continue the many traditions that 4-H and the Extension program have to offer.
See you at the fair!