2003 Year in Review

Top 4-H'ers to State Fair

Jacklyn Hanson shows her clay necklace during conferance judging at the State Fair.

John Benson explains to the judge how he made his paper Mache donut.

Jason Meinsma and Heidi Benson pose behind a plywood cutout at the State Fair.

“What a beautiful day to go to the fair!” That is what Whiteside County 4-Her’s and their parents were heard saying on Friday. October 8 was the day local 4-Her’s who did well at the Whiteside County 4-H Show were invited to the Illinois State Fair.

Most families wake up between 3-4:30 a.m. to make it there by 8:00 a.m. to get the best judging time. Judging starts at 9:00 and then most of the kids have the rest of the day to walk around the fair. Projects are released at 4:00 after the recognition and fashion show.

Cottonwood 4-H Club was represented by Jessica Deets with a sewn bag, Heather Dykstra baked cookies, Michael Benson weaved a basket, and Jacklyn Hanson made a clay necklace. Marta Bender created a paper mermaid picture, John Benson brought a paper Mache donut, and Heidi Benson showed her photographs of Chicago. Each exhibitor gets a participation ribbon and a premium check. A few talented individuals get a Superior Ribbon for an outstanding job.

If you’ve never been to the State Fair, there is a lot to do. Besides visiting all the beef, swine, sheep, horse, or chicken barns, there are stages all over the grounds with special performances. If you check the fair program, events are scheduled throughout the day at different location. If the crowds aren’t big you could get a personalized magic show.

A favorite with most kids is Conservation World sponsored by Illinois DNR. There are lumberjack shows, fishing demonstrations, and lots more. Another favorite is Tech Town where the Governor sponsors Illinois agency to set up booths with the latest web sites and tech help. You can even email home from there.

The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and their wives each sponsor a tent. The Governor’s wife had an interesting tent that showed a program to put the prairie back along Illinois highways. It’s a win/win program. It beautifies the state’s road with black eyed susans, native grasses, and coneflowers while making habitat for insect and butterflies but also helps to cut the budget by eliminating acres of mowing.

Every Illinois organization has a tent to visit. Get a map from the Illinois State Police or a pencil from the Illinois State Library. Every booth gives away pencils, pens, magnets, or stickers but more importantly you can fill up your bottle with ice cold water.

If you go to State Fair make sure you bring a bag of can goods for the “4-H You Can Make a Difference”. There are stations around the fairgrounds where you can drop off the cans or deliver them to the booth where they make a house out of cans. Pick up a coupon for ½ off dinner at the Beef or Pork Producers stand across from the Grandstand. Or get a coupon from the sheep queens to try lamb and sweet potato fries under the same pavilion. Don’t forget the Dairy Producers ice cream stand to top it off.

There are web cameras all over the fair. Visit their website for the State Fair is www.state.il.us/fair/. You can download a copy of the fair program and see when and where events are.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
August 9, 2003