PUYALLUP, Wash. – About 2,500 youth from all over the state will show their animals, exhibit photos, give public presentations, compete in fashion reviews and display their many projects at the 4-H State Fair Sept. 6-24 in Puyallup.
Geocaching, an “iron chef” competition and robotics will also be featured. During commodity public presentations, 4-H’ers will explain how cherries, carrots or lavender impact the economy, give the food’s history and create recipes using the commodity.
Washington State University Extension 4-H is the largest youth serving organization in the state. More than 87,000 young people take part in activities including photography, technology, leadership, farm science, textiles and multicultural exchanges.
All 4-H youth at the fair have previously taken top honors at county fairs. This “best of the best” competition features the Danish system of judging where youth are judged by a set of standards instead of against each another.
“The 4-H kids who have entries at the fair have put in so much time and dedication to be here,” said Tom Gwin, fair manager. “They have worked for weeks or months or, in some cases, the entire year to prepare their public presentation, design their art project or train their animal to get ready for this event.”
Find a daily schedule of 4-H fair events at http://4h.wsu.edu/statefair/documents/2013SCHEDULEofEVENTS.pdf
4-H is a national organization that started in Washington in 1902. Famous 4-H alumni include Bonnie Dunbar, Faith Hill, David Letterman, Reba McIntyre, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Al Gore, Dolly Parton and Herschel Walker. 4-H stands for head, heart, hands and health.
For more information on WSU Extension 4-H, see http://4h.wsu.edu