Youth to showcase talents
Fair week to kick off on Sunday

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

The sights, smells and sounds of the 4-H fair will dominate Ripley County Fairgrounds Park in Osgood, beginning July 17 and continuing through July 23.

The 4-H fair shows the accomplishment of youth with 2166 projects to be demonstrated by 604 members.

The 4-H program is alive and well in the county offering not only the traditional popular animal projects, but everything from public speaking and recycling to wildlife and wood science.

4-H is for students from grades three through 12 offering them the opportunity to have fun, make friends, go places, learn and care for others. Their motto is “to make the best better.”

“The 4-H fair is a positive community experience,” noted Louann Menchhofer, extension education consumer and family science educator and 4-H youth educator. She encourages not only those involved in 4-H, but the entire community to take advantage of the week long activity filled event. There is definitely something for everyone.

Those who enjoy preserving food or creating fine needlepoint are welcome to bring their items to the fair. You do not have to be a member of any homemaker’s extension club to participate.

The children will not only enjoy the 4-H projects, but will have rides on the midway. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday a $17.00 wristband will allow them to ride for one price each night.

The popular baby show will be held Monday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m. This is limited to Ripley County residents and will be held in front of the free stage. Entry forms can be obtained ahead of the show at the extension office at the fairgrounds park in Osgood. The forms can also be filled out the night of the show.

The official Grand Opening Ceremony will be held Sunday, July 17 at 6 p.m. with the presentation of corporation members. The 2011 4-H Junior Leader King and Queen will be crowned with the presentation of 2011 Miss Ripley County and her court.

A fashion revue and style show will follow at the free stage that evening.

At the Grandstand:
Grandstand events will include an antique tractor pull sponsored by the Osgood Lions Club on Sunday, July 17 at 4 p.m. Call Kevin Menchhofer for more information at 812-756-0158.

Monday night, July 18 a greased pig contest will take place at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, July 19 will be the lawnmower, ATV and UTV pulls at 7:00 p.m. This is sponsored by the Osgood Lions Club. For class and information contact Kevin Menchhofer at 812-756-0158 or 689-4654 or Wayne Wall at 812-621-2210.

Wednesday’s event will be the demolition derby at 7:30 p.m. For information contact Terry Eaglin at 689-1046 or 812-621-0259.

The quad and cycle flat drags will take place Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Truck drags will be Friday at 7:00 p.m. and the truck pull will take place on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Both events are sponsored by the Osgood Volunteer Fire Department. Call Chris Linville at 812-525-4577 or Scott White at 812-621-0371 for more information.
The livestock auction will begin at 3:00 p.m. at Building #5 at the show arena on Friday. Here 4-H’ers are rewarded for their efforts with numerous businesses buying the livestock.

Stop by the many booths for free merchandise or the chance to win a prize during the fair at the commercial building.

The Ripley County Sheriff’s booth will have members of the newly formed Triad organization on hand to explain the program and conduct a short survey.

Triad is made up of local individuals that include law enforcement on the state and local level, clergy, county media, and a LifeTime Resource representative. Their goal is to “build a community of trust” for senior citizens.

Triad volunteers develop and implement crime prevention and education programs for older adults in the community. The organization focuses on reducing the fear of crime prevalent among older people by identifying misconceptions about criminal activity against our elder citizens.

For more information you can email: triad@ripleycounty.com or stop by the sheriff’s booth at the fair to find out more.

From the vesper service at 4:30 p.m. on opening night to the last hoorah on the midway, the fair is open for everyone to enjoy.