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.
