Local kids get ready for Washtenaw 4-H Fair

For a lot of kids, summer means school is out and there’s plenty of vacation, free time, and fun opportunities to look forward to.

For 4-H kids, summer means there’s plenty of hard work ahead to get themselves and their livestock animals ready for the annual 4-H Fair in late July. This year’s fair is set for July 21-26 at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road.

For 4-H Junior Livestock members William Rogers, Katie Polzin, Lee Blumenauer and many others, the 4-H Fair offers not only work, but many rewards as well. These young people are responsible not only for their own livestock and exhibits, but also for mentoring the youngest 4-H’ers (Cloverbuds), selecting judges for the various livestock shows held throughout the week, organizing the Ag Olympics, Alumni Show, and Animal Decorator contests that provide some additional fun and festivity during the fair, handing out ribbons to winners and buyers, and a multitude of other tasks. This is one busy group of young men and women!

Lee Blumenauer, of Manchester, is raising two feeder calves and two pigs, for the Washtenaw County 4-H Fair. He’s also raising a steer and two pigs for the upcoming Manchester Community Fair. Lee really enjoys bonding with his animals, and says that he spends much of his time during the weeks building up to the fair working with them–teaching them to walk around the yard on a rope with a halter, introducing them to show sticks, giving them baths, and generally keeping them clean and healthy.

Caleb Benedict, also of Manchester, is raising sheep for 4-H and will also show at the Chelsea Community Fair in August.

Katie Polzin, of Saline, looks forward to showing two feeder calves, two sheep and two dairy cows this year at the 4-H Fair. She has enjoyed the Animal Decorator contest, last year dressing her lambs as a bride and groom! She also enjoys showing her dairy cows.

William Rogers, also of Saline, who is showing two goats, three chickens, a rabbit, a pheasant and a hamster, enjoys being in Junior Livestock not only to show his animals (and sell his eggs), and earn the premiums, but also for the friendships. “You never forget the friendships you make,” he says.

Everyone is invited to see these energetic and determined young people and their animals on display when the County Youth Show begins on Sunday, July 21. That day, the horse shows begin (and continue throughout the week); Cat and Dog shows are held on July 22; Llama and Poultry shows are July 23, along with Feeder Calf and Beef Show. On July 24, the Swine show starts early in the morning at 8 am, followed by the Rabbit show at 9 am, and the Sheep Show at 6 pm. An awards presentation will also be held on July 24 at 4 pm. July 25 features the goat show, dairy show, and small animal silent auction throughout the day, and culminates with the livestock auction at 6:30 pm.

The livestock auction is the community’s opportunity to support the year- around efforts of the 4-H Youth and their Leaders. Becoming a bidder is easy, fun, and rewarding–you can receive some top-quality meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy from your 4-H Fair purchase.

The Animal Decorator contest begins at 1:30 pm on Friday, July 26, with the Horse Grand Entry at 5 pm and Sweepstakes Showmanship at 7 pm.

In between, there is so much more to see and do! Admission to the fair is free all week long. Mark your calendars to be sure and visit this year’s 4-H Youth Show.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.