4 Tips for the 4-H Fair
Ready for another Everyday Adventure? Use these tips to check out your 4-H fair!
If it isn’t fair time in your neck of the woods, it will be soon. As both of my kids are involved in 4-H we spend a LOT of time at the fair. Lucky for us, it’s a really great one. The Hamilton County Fair is all about the kids and 4-H. That means no rides and very little commercial “stuff.” The food is all local churches, groups and/or food producers, very few booths selling things, and overall a great and simple family experience.
If you haven’t been to your fair lately, go check it out and follow these tips to get the most out of your day:
- Enjoy the food. We are very healthy eaters, but I don’t worry about the occasional tenderloin or milkshake at the fair. To make it a little better (and so we can try more), we typically split whatever we purchase. One of the things I love about our fair is the price of the food – where else can you get a lemonade for 50 cents or an ear of fresh Indiana corn for $1.50? It is a little challenging for my daughter who doesn’t eat meat, so one day she enjoyed a milkshake at the fair and then we picked up sushi on the way home for her dinner – there’s always a workaround!
- Explore the projects. If you are visiting a true 4-H Fair, there will be projects. Lots of projects. The kids who submitted them worked hard (I can attest to an eight hour day of cooking in our household!). Until I had kids in 4-H, we never bothered to visit the project areas, and boy were we missing out! There are some really amazing and interesting projects created by the 4-Hers. Take a little bit of time and see what you can find – you’ll see everything from beautiful photography to creative artwork. Very cool.
- Check out special events. Every fair has a variety of special events that can really enhance your visit. Each year we find something new to check out or even participate in. For example, our fair has a pet parade, cat show, public speaking and demonstrations, a Farmer’s Olympics, food auction and dozens of other fun things to do and see. Most fairs have a schedule that is either posted on one of the buildings, offered in a flyer format, or maybe just posted as a sign when you enter. Look for the schedule (ask a volunteer if you need to) and pick something new for you to check out – it’ll be entertaining and show you a whole new side to the fair.
- Don’t forget the animals. For those of us who live in the suburbs, it’s fun to visit all the animals. There are usually a few babies to see and lots of very well-cared for farm animals. We love walking through the barns and checking them all out. It’s a chance to pet and see up close a nice variety.
Do you typically go to the fair in your area? What is your favorite part of visiting?
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We like to attend our local 4-H and do all of these things! The food is always great and seeing the animals is a hit. I also like to look at the projects. Fun!
Laurie, I know and it’s such an affordable and fun family day!
I love the 4H fair. I take pictures for the newspaper every year and I am really impressed with the kids and their projects.
That would be so fun to take pictures – the kids are always so proud!
My favorite part of the fair is always the yummy food. Love the animals too.
Deanna, me too – definitely a guilty pleasure for us.
I think it is similar to country fair here? It is definitely fun for people all ages!
Ina, I’m sure it is – some areas have less 4-H involvement but the idea is the same.
4-H fairs are not something I’ve ever attended, so this was an enjoyable way to ‘visit’ with you. Sounds like great family time together.
Candi, glad you got to come along!
I’ve never been to a 4H fair but it looks fun! My children would enjoy the farm animals.
Naomi, if you have kids, I know they’d like the animals – it’s always fun to see them check them out.
This looks like so much fun! All of that food looks delicious!
Ashley, since we normally eat very little meat and very little fried stuff, it was good, but I could definitely only handle it for a few days! We are in detox mode now – fresh juice and avocado toast daily!
I haven’t been to the fair for quite a while, but I hope to go this year so my toddler can experience it.
Erin, oh a toddler is a great age to visit the fair – my mousepad is actually a picture of my daughter at about two holding a bunny at the 4-H fair.
Unfortunately we missed the county fair this year. We are planning on going to the state fair that starts after school is in session. I love the fair!
We’ll hit the State Fair too – it’s fun on a whole different level!
This looks like a wonderful event!
Thanks Katy – it’s always a highlight of the summer.
That Sheepdog! Jumping! All the hair! SO cute!
Thanks! That’s actually our Bearded Collie (similar to a sheepdog) – my daughter showed him in Agility and Showmanship at the fair.
I love going to the fair and enjoying the food and exploring the projects. Great tips… And the kids are always entertained by the animals… It’s an awesome way to spend the day.
It is a fun way to spend the day – especially for kids who don’t normally get to be that close to the animals.
I love 4-H Fairs!!
Julie, I know, me too!
Makes me want to come visit your fair!
It’s a good one!
Looks like such a fun day!
I live in built up Florida now and there’s not a ton like this going on hahaha.
You’ve made me excited about finding a good fair the next time I’m home visiting in PA.
Jess, it would be a fun thing to add to any trip!
I have always found the 4-H fair to be so inspirational! I always have loved looking over the artwork to see the work, and yes, yummy food!
It’s cool to see how many talented kids are out there!
I really wish we had 4-H when I was growing up! We didn’t have anything in our area.
My cousin grew up participating in the 4-H fairs and made some of her best friends there. It’s a great program.
It really is!
I’ve never had any personal involvement with 4-H, but I have several friends who were involved as children as now as parents. It is such a great organization!
It really is – a lot of wholesome fun for the kids – and a great way to build life skills.
We go to our local fair every year and our favorite part is always the animals
I’m not sure we have a 4-H in the Chicago area! But I do enjoy going to the local suburban county fairs, where they have animals!
Tina, Chicago probably doesn’t have a fair, but I’m sure at least a few of your suburbs do!
I love my time with 4-H!! Such great memories and learning opportunities. This week the fair is going on and I’m certain there are lots of 4-H projects being presented!
It’s very fun to see how it’s changed through the years – if you were in 4-H as a kid you’ll be amazed at how different (and yet how the same) things are.
We have taken our daughter to a fair near us for the last couple years – her favorite part is definitely seeing the animals!
Yes, the kids just love the animals! Especially the babies.
We love going with the kids to 4h fairs. The food and the animals are the best!
I know! I agree.
Great family activity!
how fun! I’ve been thinking about signing my homeschooler up for 4H.
You should – very fun!
This looks like a lot of fun! I had friends growing up that would always tell me about the food.