Here we are turning the calendar to August, where in the world did the summer go!? It has been filled with vacations, maybe swimming, cookouts, napping and relaxing, well maybe for some. We have finished with Skillathons, Quality Assurance and Fair Entries! That was a lot of work on parents, great job out there! The next big deadline is the Project Book turn in on August 8th at the Late Project Judging event at the Event Center. Soon it will time for parents even though some may not want to, think about getting kids school clothes and shoes! Dust off the book bags, lunch boxes, and get ready for another school year routine! But don’t forget another something that happens right when the school routine is starting to settle in, the Wayne County Fair! Those animals that have filled your barns up since April or May and those birds that are getting messier and noisier by the day! Their debut is almost here!
Here are some tips to help you avoid the overwhelmed feeling
Once upon a time my family was the new family on the block, with a first time 4-H kiddo and I had no idea what I was stepping into. The Organizational Advisors in my club and other families, were so kind and thoughtful to help me along. I will always be grateful to them. Maybe some of the information in here will help a family out there or two that are just feeling overwhelmed. Make sure you look at your animal guidelines to see what is required for your exhibitor’s specie. They can be found on our website, wayne.osu.edu. Some species require an all-white jacket, white pants and shirt, or just nice jeans and show shirt. Other species may have different equipment that would help in the show ring, instead of what the exhibitor has been practicing on around the house. Different halters, whips, show stick, etc. Be sure you have a tack box that works for the different species as well, poultry exhibitors do not have the space for a big tack box like the goats do. Different specie’s also require different bedding. If you need help with any of this, ask your Organizational Advisors, if you need additional help, call the Extension Office, we are here to help you!
Keep an eye out for The Link newsletter in the fall
An important document is coming soon, the Link Newsletter for the 2023 Wayne County Fair. In this document it will have what bedding is provided and what bedding is not. It will also have the check in times for the different species. This is very important! During the check-in times for the fair, there will be a certain traffic route in the fairgrounds. This traffic route will be noted in the Link, so be sure to take note of that. Something else that will help check in run smoother for families, is when you drop the animal off the exhibitor and/or parent stays with the animal while the driver parks the car. Depending on the specie you may need additional online forms done. Get those done ahead of time, not in the check-in line.
These are only a few and there is so much more information, tips and tricks to making check-in, fair week and check-out easier. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions. Families that have been to the fair are very willing to help, we have a good community out there! If you have questions that can’t be answered, call the OSU Extension Office. We are here 8:00am – 4:00 pm Monday – Friday to help you!
Diane Johnson is program assistant, 4-H Youth Development, for Wayne County Extension. She can be reached at johnson.9505@osu.edu or by calling 330-264-8722
This article was previously published in The Daily Record.