4 Tips for the 4-H Fair

ByPam Howard

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!

Food at the 4-H Fair

  •   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.

Projects at the 4-H Fair

  • 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.

Animals at the 4-H Fair

Do you typically go to the fair in your area? What is your favorite part of visiting?

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Enjoy the 4H Fair

Meet Pam Howard, mom of two teenagers who loves to make the most out of every day. Pam's passion for exploring new places and discovering hidden gems has led her to become a travel enthusiast. As a blogger, Pam shares her experiences and insights on day trips, weekend getaways, and everyday adventures in the Midwest and beyond. Join Pam on her journey as she inspires and motivates others to step out of their comfort zones and explore the world around them.