Kendall County Youth to Show Skills, Talents at Fair 4-H Shows

YORKVILLE, Ill. – For hundreds of local youth, 4-H project displays and animal shows are an important and fun part of the annual Kendall County Fair, which is scheduled for Aug. 4 to 7 this year.

“We hope you will join us Fair Week to celebrate the hard work and achievements of these local youth,” said Kim Eisnaugle, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator. “Throughout the year, our 4-H members learn new skills and develop talents, which they then demonstrate through the annual 4-H exhibits and shows at the Kendall County Fair.”

Projects on display in Smith 4-H Hall on the fairgrounds include: visual arts, woodworking, electricity, clothing/fashion, food and nutrition, natural resources, computers, robotics, horticulture, photography, and more. These project areas are judged before the fair, but open for viewing throughout the week, Eisnaugle said.

During the fair, other 4-H project areas will host shows, including the livestock competitions, as well as other events.

On Thursday, August 4, the 4-H sheep show will start at 8 a.m., and the goat show begins at 8:30 a.m. At 12 p.m., the flag raising and opening ceremony kicks off the fair with help from 4-H Federation members. The King and Queen candidates will be introduced at this time. 4-H’ers also will participate in the poultry show at 4 p.m. and breeding gilts swine show at 5 p.m.

The swine competitions continue on Friday, August 5 at 8:30 a.m. with barrows and market gilts, and the 4-H rabbit and dairy shows begin at 9 a.m. The crowning of the 4-H Foundation’s 2016 Fair King and Queen will begin at 4:45 p.m. at the family stage.

On Saturday, Aug. 6, the beef show kicks off at 8 a.m. at the Livestock Arena, and the 4-H cat show judging begins at 10 a.m. at the Education Building. At 6 p.m., the annual 4-H Auction starts in the Livestock Show Arena.

“The 4-H Livestock Auction allows everyone the opportunity to purchase quality meat for their freezer from animals that were raised and cared for by Kendall County 4-H members,” said Eisnaugle. “The 4-H Auction features the grand and reserve champions in beef, swine, sheep, poultry, rabbits, market goats and dairy production.”

In addition, other Kendall County 4-H members will have the opportunity to sell their beef, swine and sheep.
The 4-H events at the fair wrap up on Sunday, Aug. 7 with the Master Showmanship Contest at 10:30 a.m. and the 4-H Fashion Revue at about 3:30 p.m., which is followed by the Parade of Champions.

The Kendall County Fair also features rides, petting zoo and live animals, exhibits, eating and cooking contests, music groups and performances, truck and tractor pull, bean bag and a mud volleyball tournament. For more information on location, tickets or full fair event schedules, visit www.kendallcountyfair.org. The Kendall County Fairgrounds is located at 10826 Illinois Route 71 in Yorkville.

4-H offers positive youth development programs that provide the opportunity for youth to feel a sense of belonging, develop independence, practice generosity, and experience mastery. If you are interested in learning more about 4-H in Kendall County, call 630-553-5823 or visit web.extension.illinois.edu/dkk/.

Submitted by the University of Illinois Extension