Published: July 21, 2008 08:57 am      

4-H Fair a success

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

INA — This year’s Jefferson County 4-H Fair is already being deemed a success, even though activities will continue throughout the week.

“We’ve maintained animal entries,” noted Dan Spangler of the Jefferson County University Extension Office. “Numbers look really good. We have around 200 head of goats — that’s the most we’ve ever had.”

Spangler’s pleased observation comes almost two months since Gov. Rod Blagojevich released nearly $18 million for the Extension. If the governor had not released the funding, about $70,000 would have affected Jefferson County, with 450 jobs statewide at risk as well.

“[If not for the funding,] we would not be having this fair,” Spangler said.

The fair kicked off Friday with the General Project Show at the Times Square Mall, next to Sears. According to Spangler, over 200 4-H members will exhibit items during the fair.

The 4-H Fair continued on Sunday, July 20, at the 4-H Fairgrounds on the campus of Rend Lake College. 4-H members will exhibit small pets, dogs, cats, poultry, rabbits, bicycles, goats, dairy, beef/steers, sheep and swine. This portion of the 4-H Fair ends with the 4-H Livestock Auction on Wednesday, July 23, information states.

John and Callie Stanhouse both have animals entered in the fair and hope to do well this week. John Stanhouse says 4-H helps him earn a little extra money, while Callie Stanhouse says she joined 4-H because “it’s fun.”

The 2008 Best of Show Awards of the General Project Show are

Animal Science – Emily Browder

Community Development – Hannah Herzing

Home & Family – Craig Vishy

Cassandra Beal Memorial Award – Leah Mays

Fashion Revue – Katie Wilson

Food & Nutrition – Mallory Adams

Food & Nutrition – Darcie Mays

Visual Arts – Emily Doty

Visual Arts – Katie Wilson

Personal Development – Jennifer Dagg

Engineering & Technology – Nathan Rector

Computers – Arianna Reiss

Electricity & Electronics – Bret Collins

Woodworking – Austyn Taylor

Natural Resources – Taryn Chesnek

Natural Resources – Kelsey Shannon

Horticulture & Floriculture – Hannah Haile

Photography – Darcie Mays

Miscellaneous Projects – Hannah Herzing

For more information, contact Dan Spangler, University of Illinois Extension, Jefferson County at 242-0780.