It is time for all Harlan County 4-H Club members to think about entering items into the annual Harlan County Fair. Project work completed during the school year or at 4-H Day Camps need to be gathered together to enter in the Fair. The Harlan County Shriners’ annual Horse Show and Fair is just the beginning for area 4-H Club Members. This begins the trip to the Kentucky State Fair. It begins with the Harlan County Cooperative Extension Offices’ staff and the Shriners’ Club working together to combine the Harlan County Fair and the Shriners’ Horse Show. The Extension Office has been participating in the Harlan County fair for many years and will be on hand again this year. Farmers bring in their produce, and crafters bring in their work to compete for a blue ribbon. The proceeds go to a worthy cause. The Shriners hold the Horse Show in order to raise money for the state’s disabled or injured children.

After the Harlan County Fair and Horse Show, 4-H division winners proceed to the Kentucky State Fair. The Kentucky State Fair hosts 4-H projects from across the state in Cloverville. Cloverville consists of 18 divisions where 4-H’ers can showcase their projects. In order to exhibit a 4-H project in Cloverville, 4-H’ers must first compete in their county and be selected as the grand champion in the class. These grand champions advance to the Kentucky State Fair and are exhibited in Cloverville where they are judged on the Danish System. Awards will be based upon a ratio of 4X for blue ribbons, 3X for red, and 2X for white in those classes eligible for premium money. There is no additional premium paid for Class, Grand or Reserve Champion, or Overall Grand, Reserve Grand Champions and Grand Supreme. All premiums will be mailed directly to the 4-Her from the State Fair.

4-H’ers can be involved in Cloverville by exhibiting projects, mannequin modeling, demonstrating, hosting, and performing on stage. State Fair 4-H requirements are:

* Age — Any 4-H’er who has passed his/her 9th birthday as of Jan. 1, of the current year but has not passed his/her 19th birthday as of Jan. 1 of the current year. There are no Cloverbud exhibits permitted in Cloverville.

* Participation — exhibitor must have, since the last State Fair, carried an approved project, of which the exhibit is a part, under the general supervision of the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Kentucky.

During the State Fair, 4-H livestock events are also taking place across the fairgrounds. 4-H’ers can also compete in judging events, bicycle rodeo, quiz bowls, skill-a-thons, and more.

Each year during the Kentucky State Fair, the West Hall becomes home to Cloverville. This exhibit morphs into a village that allows 4-H participants from across the state to display their skills and compete for champion honors. Major project categories include: entomology, geology, forestry, electricity, foods, horticulture, woodworking, clothing, knitting and crocheting, home environment, consumer science management, technology, country hams and photography. Come check out the diversity of skills that are developed and offered through 4-H programming across the state.

For more information on County and State Fair 4-H Project or other 4-H Projects, contact the Harlan County Extension Office at 573-4464.

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.