More than 150 youngsters are part of White County 4-H and they’re busy putting the final touches on altogether about 850 exhibits and projects to be shown across the sprawling White County Fairgrounds next week. About a dozen of those kids gave a sneak peek of some of their hard work to Kiwanis on Thursday ahead of the annual fair. They were joined by White County 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator Amy McCarty.
White County 4-H members have worked throughout the year on projects varying from cooking to livestock, and many more. Alle xhibits are judged in conference style judging, a method that is becoming foreign to some 4-H programs. 4-H members display their projects, are interviewed by a judge, and receive a rating based on the overall quality of the project and interview. The goal for every 4-H member is to be selected as a best of show winner, state fair delegate, or grand champion.
A few 4-Hers have already competed and advanced to the Illinois Public Presentations event which took place in March and April. Hunter Cronje wowed the audience with his speech on why hunting is important.
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Hadley Williams and Holly Hays also entertained with a “White County Update” speech mimicking a broadcast complete with punchlines to parallel Saturday Night Live’s popular segment Weekend Update.
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The 4H Show runs Saturday, July 5th through Friday, July 11th and will mostly coincide with the county fair. McCarty says she hopes holding both events simultaneously will give more exposure to the 4-H program putting more eyes on member’s work. You can find detailed information on the 4-H show below. Find more on the White County Fair at http://www.whitecountyfair.com.
This year there will be archery, air rifle, air pistol and shotgun shoots for members of the White County 4-H Shooting Sports SPIN Club. The Shooting Sports Contest will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, at the Carmi Rifle Club. Participants will compete in different archery, rifle, pistol, and shotgun shoots while being awarded placings/ratings based on performance.
Food Show
Food projects will be judged beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7. This year there are more than 70 individual exhibits ready for judging at the annual show. These projects range from the beginning cooking projects involving cookie and coffeecakes to the advanced projects including pastry shells, yeast bread rolls, and homemade candies.
Coming back this year will be our table decorating and food challenge contests. Come and watch as these kids build a table setting and decorate it around the theme. The food challenge participants will be given a list of required ingredients and challenged to create a dish in a timely manner.
Clothing Show
The Clothing Show will also be held on Monday, July 8 at 9:00 a.m. Clothing exhibitors have the option of making or purchasing their garments. These members will also model their garments at the Fashion Revue. The Fashion Revue will be held Wednesday evening to share the hard work that this project can involve with the public during the 4-H awards show at 5:00 p.m.
Rabbits/Poultry
Well-known rabbit and poultry judge, Mike Wilson, will begin the rabbit and poultry shows with his expert evaluations at 5:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon in the livestock barn, at the fairgrounds.
General Projects
The busiest day of the year in the world of White County 4-H begins at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, at the White County Fairgrounds. Members will bring in their general projects for conference-style judging. Members have worked a full year on everything from visual arts projects to photography projects to crops and woodworking. Drop off projects will be Monday evening from 4:00-8:00. The show will be in the Floral Hall building at the White County Fairgrounds. The general project event is closed to the public until judging is complete. We would like to thank Huck’s for donating breakfast Tuesday morning for all judges, superintendents, and 4-H members.
Tractor-Driving Contest
This year the 4-H Tractor Driving Contest will be held Tuesday, July 8, starting at 9:00 at the White County Fairgrounds. White County 4-H would like to thank Wm. Nobbe Co. Inc. of Norris City for sponsoring this year’s tractor for the contest by providing a John Deere for the 4-H members to drive. Participants will compete in different ‘tractor agility’ courses at the fairgrounds.
Livestock
Nearly 160 entries are scheduled to be judged Wednesday morning at the livestock barn. Swine, Beef, Goats, and Sheep projects will all be judged Wednesday by class. This show usually takes most of the morning. White County Farm Bureau is sponsoring Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion banners this year.
Carmi Kiwanis Pedal Pull
Again, this year the Carmi Kiwanis is hosting the 2025 Youth Pedal Pull at the White County 4-H Fair on Wednesday, July 9. The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. and will take place beside the Floral Hall.
All area youth, including those not in 4-H, are invited to participate in the pedal pull. Three classes for both girls and boys will be offered. Weight classes will be: CLASS 1 – 50 lbs. and under; CLASS 2 – 51 lbs. to 75 lbs.; CLASS 3 – 76 lbs. and over. There is a maximum age limit of 12 years old. First and second place trophies will be awarded in each class. Registration will begin at 3:00 p.m. the day of the event. The event will run from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. For complete rules for the pedal pull event go to our website at www.whitecfb.com/pedalpull.html.
Wabash Valley Service Company Food Table
Wabash Valley Service Company and People’s National Bank are teaming up to raise money to assist the White County 4-H Support Committee and White County 4-H. Come and purchase a pork chop sandwich, chips, drink, and a cookie for $6.00 from 3:00-7:00 at the livestock barn. Then enjoy a walk through the awesome 4-H projects these 4-Hers have worked so hard on all year long.
Awards Program
All 4-H members will be recognized at an awards program at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the floral hall. This year, Carmi Kiwanis and First Bank will sponsor all the trophies and belt buckles earned by 4-H members throughout the week. Farm Credit Services is sponsoring the clean stall awards to livestock members, as well.
Auction of Blue-Ribbon Animals
The Annual 4-H Auction of Blue-Ribbon Animals will be at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, July 9. Businesses and individuals are encouraged to support the 4-H members as they further their agricultural endeavors. Money earned at the auction is often used by the members to purchase new stock, farm equipment and automobiles, or further their education after high school. A reception will be held an hour before the auction for you to socialize and meet the 4-H members that will be auctioning their animal that evening.
Carcass Contest
The carcass contest is going to be like year’s past. WP Meat Company will be very ‘packed’ on Friday, July 11 when White County 4-H members meet for the carcass contest at 11:00. The carcasses will be scored on ribeye/chop area, the rate of gain, marbling, and color. The contest is fully funded by WP Meat Company.
One of the 4-H organization’s national slogans reads, “4-H is a community of young people across America who is learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.” 4-H is a great asset to White County and the surrounding communities. These young people grow up here learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. These young people then reflect the values of White County. Let’s make a value of the White County 4-H program. We hope to see you at the 4-H Shows!
