4-Hers get ready for next week’s annual fair
Photos by Kristina Gabalski: 4-H Rabbit Raisers Brian and Owen Shaw (back to camera) of Kendall remove benches from the Wachob Building. Benches are removed from storage and placed around the fairgrounds during the annual work bee.
Rabbit Raiser Nate Shaw of Kendall sweeps out the Wachob Building in preparation for cage set up.
KNOWLESVILLE – The 2017 Orleans County 4-H Fair is just days away and the fairgrounds in Knowlesville was busy Wednesday evening as 4-Hers, their families, club leaders and Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension volunteers and staff worked to get the barns, buildings and grounds ready during the annual pre-fair work bee.
Orleans Count Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director Robert Batt said this year’s work bee was especially well attended.
“The work bee is a night when the kids get together and put their muscle into preparing for fair week,” Batt said.
The 2017 4-H Fair runs from July 24-29. Admission is $7 per vehicle. Opening ceremonies are set for 6 p.m. on Monday at the Flag Pole Garden and Orleans Hub stage. This year’s entertainment features Horses, Horses, Horses! World Champion Performing Horses, The Creature Teacher live show with wild animals not typically seen on the fairgrounds, and live chalk art in addition to the $1,000 Karaoke Challenge and the Fair Talent Show.
In celebration of the 100th anniversary year of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, two nights of fireworks are planned (Thursday and Friday).
The annual Flower Show will also take place in the Lartz Building. The show is open to the public. Entries are accepted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 22. Entry forms and additional information can be found at orleans.cce.cornell.edu.
Rabbit Raiser Club members and families work to move cages from the Wachob Pavilion into the Wachob Building to house 4-H rabbit, cavy and poultry fair entries.
4-Hers and their families prepare to set up the beef and dairy barn for 4-H exhibits. The barn was completely empty when they arrived Wednesday evening. Stalls and demonstration areas needed to be put in place for fair week.
4-H horse club members, families, and their leaders gather in the Knights Building Wednesday evening as they prepare for the 2017 Fair. Sheep and goat club members also worked to set up the barn for their entries and shows.
