P.E.I. Rural Youth Fair Saturday

Families from across the Island are invited to join in the fun at 4-H P.E.I.’s 67th Rural Youth Fair on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the Crapaud Exhibition Grounds.

Celebrating the vibrant, community-based nature of the provincial program, the fair will once again focus on a theme of “Keeping It Local”.

“We really want to help more Islanders understand what the 4-H program is all about,” said organizing committee chairwoman Amie Swallow-MacDonald. “We have proud roots in the agricultural community, but you don’t necessarily have to live on a farm or own farm animals to become a member or a volunteer leader. You just have to be willing to work hard, have fun and learn to do by doing. The many beautiful and detailed home ec and industrial art projects you’ll see on display at the fair are a perfect example of just one aspect of our multi-faceted program.”

While livestock competitions form a large part of the schedule, 4-H members and visitors to the fair are encouraged to participate in “Do-By-Doing-Derby” events throughout the day. These non-competitive, skill-building sessions will range from making a pizza to decorating a one-of-a-kind mask to take home. Bent Elements will also be operating its inflatable obstacle course and archery tag games on the grounds, free of charge.

“We like to treat this fair as our annual homecoming event where members from across the Island have a chance to gather together and celebrate all they’ve achieved in the past year,” said administrative director Kelly Mullaly. “But visitors and families of all ages are more than welcome to experience a day in the life of 4-H with us.”

The famous live turkey auction is also part of the official ceremonies at 1 p.m., as well as a special announcement from the 4-H Trust regarding an important fundraising campaign as part of 4-H P.E.I.’s 100th anniversary celebrations in 2018.

The selection of the Beef and Dairy Team delegates who will represent 4-H P.E.I. at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair in Toronto this November will take place later in the afternoon.

Check out www.pei4h.ca and the PEI 4-H Facebook page.