Kansas State Fair; state fun, local flavor

Kansas 4-H members ages 9 and up are eligible to enter projects at the Kansas State Fair, but only eligible after first earning the top award in the project category at the county fair.

That means 4-H entries at the fair come with high praise and also means seeing the various projects in 4-H Centennial Hall may inspire others to join 4-H and learn by doing, choosing a new 4-H project (if already involved in 4-H programs) or provide the nudge that is needed to complete a hobby project or try something new.

Kansas 4-H offers more than 30 educational 4-H projects, and seeing the completed projects under one roof is testimony to experiential learning in 4-H.

The 2011 Kansas State Fair will open Sept. 9 and continue through Sept. 18. While attending the annual event is a tradition for many, seasoned and first-time fairgoers are encouraged to visit 4-H Centennial Hall to view 4-H projects that have earned the top awards at local fairs, a special Kansas Sesquicentennial award celebrating Kansas' 150th birthday ---- or both.

The 4-H Centennial Hall is located at the north end of the fairgrounds and will house the majority of the more than 11,000 4-H project exhibits during the fair. The Southwind Extension District will be well represented, with approximately 70 entries from Neosho County, 100 entries from Allen County and 80 exhibits from Bourbon County.

If you decide to attend the fair, you should look for the rocket that Brian Brungardt from Neosho County designed and built himself; the bright blue dress that Allen County 4-H member Melanie Hallacy constructed; or the candle holder made out of telephone insulators that was built by Chance Fuhrman of Bourbon County.

The 4-H building is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., from Sept. 9 through Sept. 17, and from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m on Sept. 18 (closing day).

"Sheep Thrills" is the theme for the 2011 Kansas State Fair, so I certainly want to mention that our Southwind 4-H members will also be exhibiting horses, sheep, swine, meat goats and cattle at the south end of the fairgrounds.

Horse project members who previously qualified at the District Horse Show will compete the second weekend of the state fair, while livestock exhibitors will show the first weekend as part of the grand drive. Information on daily schedules and admission can be found on the Kansas State Fair website, www.kansasstatefair.com

If you are looking for results from our 4-H members, those can be found by clicking on the link at www.kansas4-h.org , or stop by the Southwind Extension District website, www.southwind.ksu.edu, and we will direct you to those 4-H results that will be updated on a daily basis.

From the fun fried foods that can be found on the mid-way to the open and youth exhibits across the fairgrounds, there are opportunities for young and old alike. I encourage you to put on your best walking shoes and make a trip to Hutchinson, Sept. 9-18, and enjoy some "Sheep Thrills" at the 2011 Kansas State Fair.