Kansas 4-H members ages nine and up are eligible to enter projects at the Kansas State Fair, but only eligible after first earning the top award in the project category at the county fair. That means 4-H entries at the Fair come with high praise, and also means seeing the various projects in 4-H Centennial Hall may inspire others to join 4-H and learn by doing, choosing a new 4-H project (if already involved in 4-H programs) or provide the nudge that’s needed to complete a hobby project or try something new.
Kansas 4-H offers more than 30 educational 4-H projects and seeing the completed projects under one roof is a testimony to experiential learning in 4-H.
The 2018 Kansas State Fair will open Sept. 7 and continue through Sept. 16. While attending the annual event is a tradition for many, seasoned as well as first-time fairgoers are encouraged to visit 4-H Centennial Hall to view 4-H projects that have earned the top awards at our local county fairs.
4-H Centennial Hall is located at the north end of the fairgrounds and will house the majority of the more than 11,000 4-H project exhibits during the fair. The Southwind Extension District will be well represented, with exhibits entered from Allen, Bourbon, Woodson and Neosho Counties.
The 4-H building is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Sept. 7-Sept. 15, and, on Sept. 16 (closing day) from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
“Find Your Fun” is the theme for the 2018 Kansas State Fair, so I certainly want to mention some of our most grassroots projects – the livestock. Southwind 4-H members will also be exhibiting horses, sheep, swine, meat goats and cattle at the South end of the Fairgrounds. Horse project members who previously qualified at the District Horse Show will compete the second weekend of the State Fair, while livestock exhibitors will show the first weekend as part of the Grand Drive. Youth enrolled in the Dog project will also compete the second weekend.
Information on daily schedules and admission can be found on the Kansas State Fair website, www.kansasstatefair.com
If you are looking for results from our local 4-H members, those can be found by clicking on the link at www.kansas4-h.org, or stop by the Southwind Extension District website, www.southwind.ksu.edu and we will direct you to those 4-H results that will be updated on a daily basis.
From the fun fried foods that can be found on the mid-way to the open and youth exhibits across the fairgrounds, there are opportunities for the young and old alike. I encourage you to put on your best walking shoes and make a trip to Hutchinson, KS September 7-16, 2018 and “Find Your Fun” at the 2018 Kansas State Fair!