During the next few weeks our Cottonwood District team members are gearing up for the Barton and Ellis County Fairs. Our days are filled with scheduling consultation judging and making sure volunteers are recruited to help things run smoothly. Since last year’s virtual Fair didn’t provide as much interaction with the youngsters, I am really looking forward to our 2021 version. It is always rewarding to help a young 4-H’er who is preparing to visit with the judge about their exhibit. 

June 15th is an important date for 4-H families in Barton County. Pre-entry forms are due in all project areas so that judging schedules and other details can be worked out.  

The Barton County Fair dates are July 7-11 and the Ellis County Fair spans the week of July 10-17. Several of our fair events overlap this year which is unfortunate, but unavoidable. I hope you are making plans to visit one or both of our Fairs this year. You will be impressed with the way volunteers transform the exhibit buildings into a fun place to showcase the work of 4-H’ers during the past year. 

Along with our 4-H and Youth Agents, Michelle Beran and Susan Schlicting, we are enjoying energetic help from Tamara Robertson and Mattie Rossi, our summer interns. Of course you will see all agents and our office professionals working to help make each Fair a success. Both of our Extension Offices will have limited hours during Fair week but you can leave phone messages and we’ll get back with you. 

One event I was asked to help coordinate for this year’s Barton County Fair, is a Family Fun Bicycle Ride that is set for Saturday, July 10, from 8-9 a.m. at the Expo grounds. Several folks have volunteered to make this a fun event. We’ll have 25 bicycle helmets for kids to give out on a first come-first served basis. The helmets will be fitted by Pilot club members and are sponsored by the Barton County Fair Association and Cottonwood Extension District. We will also be providing the opportunity to register your families bicycles with the Great Bend Police Department. Todd VanSkike, from Golden Belt Bicycles, will have a repair station set up at our event to take care of simple adjustments and pump up tires.

I’ll be sharing more of the scheduled Fair activities in a couple of weeks. We will see you at the Fair!

Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.