Several new events at Kansas State Fair

HUTCHINSON -- Several Bourbon County 4-hers will have access to activities brand new to the 2008 Kansas State Fair as they travel to Hutchinson this week.

These include a new, interactive activity for children -- the 4-H Passport to Fun -- available in 4-H Centennial Hall.

"Children are invited to pick up a free passport at the Information booth in the 4-H building and to use the passport as a guide while viewing 4-H projects on display in the building," said Justin Wiebers, Kansas State University Research and Extension 4-H events coordinator.

After exploring the exhibit area, children can return to the Information Booth to have their passport stamped and pick up a free gift, he said.

Visiting 4-H Centennial Hall is typically recommended for families who are considering youth development opportunities, but everyone is welcome, said Wiebers, who is expecting more than 11,000 4-H exhibits at the fair this year.

Visitors of all ages often remark about the quality and creativity of the exhibits, he said.

A 4-H member must be 10 years of age or older to exhibit at the state fair, and his or her project must first earn a top project award at a county fair to qualify for exhibit at the state fair.

"Project exhibits represent more than 30 different 4-H projects and reflect skill-building activities identified with 4-H programs," said Wiebers, who said that he likes to think of the exhibits as "a snapshot of work that goes on during the year." Each project has specific requirements, but also shares goals that are common to educational opportunities offered in 4-H programs: personal growth and development in building life skills while also practicing leadership, citizenship and service.

Exhibits such as such as the geology or insect display boxes may seem similar, yet each reflects the accomplishments of the 4-H member investing his or her time in the project, he said.

Projects allow 4-H members opportunities to explore a variety of interests and larger world while also developing their given talents and nurturing creativity, Wiebers said.

A Sedgwick County 4-H member has crafted a totem pole that will be among the Arts and Crafts exhibits, and another Sedgwick County member knit a different pair of socks each month. Her efforts will be on display in the Fiber Arts project division.

A Cheyenne County 4-H member has recycled barn siding as a decorative cooler cover and stand that will be displayed with 4-H woodworking projects, and a Russell County 4-H club designed and built a miniature, musical carousel themed to a leadership lesson called "Character Counts." Both will be on display in 4-H Centennial Hall.

Photography project exhibits selected from 1,925 photos qualifying for the state fair this year will highlight heartwarming -- and sometimes unexpected -- views of Kansas and the world. This year, a Cherokee County 4-H member has qualified to enter a photo she had taken in Vietnam. Her father is a Vietnam War veteran and the entry is part of a photo journal of the family's visit to the country last fall.

A sampling of 4-H foods and nutrition entries will be on display, but most of the more than 1,000 entries will be sold at a bake sale. The sale will be held in 4-H Centennial Hall Sept. 5 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m., resuming at 9 a.m. Sept.6 and continuing until all of the food is sold. Funds raised will go toward scholarships for the Kansas International 4-H Youth Exchange Program.

One other perennial fair favorite -- 4-H demonstrations -- are scheduled in 4-H Centennial Hall each weekend of the fair (Sept 6-7 and 13-14). The demonstrations will begin at 9 a.m. and continue during the day.

A daily schedule of demonstrations will be posted near the demonstration stages.

4-H Centennial Hall is located at the north end of the fairgrounds and is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 5-13, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 14 (closing day).

A complete list of 4-H activities at the 2008 Kansas State Fair is available on the Kansas State Fair Web site: www.kansasstatefair.com. More information about educational opportunities in Kansas 4-H is available on the 4-H Web site: www.kansas4H.org.

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Why 4-H?

HUTCHINSON -- A perfect cookie, well-groomed calf or obedient (though formerly rambunctious) family dog might each reflect skill-building activities in learn-by-doing 4-H programs, a Kansas State University specialist said.

4-H programs were initially developed by the U. S. Department of Agriculture to supplement educational offerings for rural youth, but are open to all youth, said Pat McNally, a Kansas State University Research and Extension state leader, Kansas 4-H.

In 2007 in Kansas, 37 percent of the youth served by 4-H programs lived in central cities with populations of more than 50,000, McNally said. Nineteen percent lived in cities and towns with populations of 10,000 to 50,000; seven percent lived in cities and suburbs with populations of more than 50,000; 20 percent lived in towns and rural areas with populations of less than 10,000, and 17 percent lived on farms.

In 2007, Kansas 4-H youth development efforts served more than 82,000 youth, she said.

Opportunities in 4-H include traditional 4-H clubs, project clubs, after-school programs, military programs, camps, and special events such as the annual Kansas Youth Leadership Forum, a professional development opportunity for teens.

A relatively new offering is Campference, a camp combined with a conference to help students, ages 12 to 14, build self-confidence and self-esteem, said Beth Hinshaw, a Kansas State University Research and Extension 4-H youth development specialist based in southeast Kansas.

More information on educational 4-H programs is available at county and district K-State Research and Extension offices and on the Kansas 4-H Web site: www.Kansas4-H.org.