County fair time is here!
The Garland County Fair begins Friday and continues through Sept. 15, at the fairgrounds located at 4831 Malvern Road. The Demolition Derby will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This year the fair covers two weekends with the addition of the Garland County Rodeo, 7:30 p.m. Sept.
14 and 15.
The youths of Garland County will showcase their projects during the week of the fair. The
4-H’s primary purpose is to educate and develop youths. One of the ways we develop youths is through 4-H livestock projects. There are several “life skills”
4-H’ers learn while doing projects: decision making, planning, implementing and evaluating, communicating, teamwork, and record-keeping. Youths develop skills as they “learn by doing.” They gain knowledge and learn to accept responsibility by caring for their projects. They gain self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.
The fair marks a high point in a year of hard work and dedication in producing a livestock exhibit. These students spend many hours and dollars preparing for the livestock shows at the county, districts and state fairs. Each year the fair serves as a showcase for the Junior Livestock Projects in the county for each exhibitor. One of the ways the youths get rewarded for their hard work on their livestock projects is through the Junior Livestock Auction. Cash contributions that are given help defray his or her costs in raising the animals. Many of these young people not only use the money to pay their debts, but use it for continuing their education. Premium sale contributors are listed on a sponsor board displayed at the fairgrounds and are recognized in the fair catalog. All contributions are tax deductible.
This year the auction will be held at the Show Barn at the Garland County Fairgrounds at 1 p.m. Sept. 14. But come early — all bidders will be treated to a lunch at 11:30 a.m. in the EHC Building.
The Garland County 4-H runs the Clover Cafe during the fair. County clubs take turns running the cafe and divide the profit between the participating clubs. This is a great teaching tool for our youths to learn how a business operates and how to handle money and make change. So come by and have a meal, and be sure to purchase a pumpkin roll also.
Fair entry times and information about the fair can be found online at http://www.garlandcountyfair.com. There were no fair books printed this year. There are many activities going on at the fair which you would enjoy, so check online and plan your week at the fair. Be sure to check for day and times for your entries.
The horticulture entries (produce and house plants) will be accepted from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sept. 10 in the Horticulture Building. Garland County Master Gardeners have a number of new exhibits and programs planned this year that you will enjoy attending.
If you have an interest in gardening of any type or would like to learn more in the horticulture field and have the time and the desire to volunteer for your community in an area you enjoy, then you may want to become a Master Gardener. Master Gardeners hold their meetings at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge, 132 Abbott Place. The meetings are open to the public. The Master Gardeners will work in the Horticulture Building during the fair and you can stop by, ask them about the program, and pick up an application, or come by the Cooperative Extension Office at 236 Woodbine.
For more information, call county agent Allen Bates at 623-6841, or email abates@uaex.edu.
EHC
Interested in joining an Extension Homemakers Club? How about forming a new club in your community? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information, call the Extension office at 623-6841 or email Alison Crane at acrane@uaex.edu.
4-H
If between the ages of 5 and 19, you can join 4-H. There is a club for you, or you and a group of friends can organize your own club. For information, call the Extension office or email lbates@uaex.edu.