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The Antelope County Fair, along with every county fair, provides 4-H youth across the state an opportunity to showcase the projects members have completed throughout the year and to receive recognition.

Model rockets that have been assembled from basic materials, cookies that will make your mouth water, sheep that are sheared for the big show, and many other exhibits can most likely be seen at your local county fair. Through these projects, youth develop self-confidence by experiencing success at solving problems and meeting challenges. County fairs provide safe environments for youth to make mistakes and to receive constructive feedback, not only through competition, but also through participation.

4-H youth look forward to the county fair because of the excitement that this time of year brings. In a recent study, many youth reported that they are motivated each year to participate in the county fair because they have fun.

Whether showing a market steer, modeling a garment in the fashion revue, or exhibiting a geographic information system map of a local park, youth across all project areas compete and participate in the county fair activities because they are fun.

Youth also shared that “achieving goals,” “spending time with friends,” and “teamwork” contributed toward engagement in the annual county fair. Recognition, competition, fair premiums and qualifying for the state fair ranked low in comparison to these other motivating factors.

Important educational youth development opportunities also exist within the 4-H fair experience. By completing 4-H projects and activities at the local fair and throughout the year, youth are mastering skills to make positive career and life choices. It is important for youth to discover in a nonthreatening setting that certain vocations may or may not be right for them.

Youth in the 4-H program every year look forward to county fair experience. It is more than just showing animals and exhibiting projects. It is about the learning that occurs by participating in those projects, making new friendships, creating memories, spending time with the family, having fun and so much more

Nebraska Extension - Antelope County would like to invite interested individuals to be a part of the 4-H family. To get the ultimate 4-H experience, enrollment is dueApril 1.

To get enrollment information call the extension office at 402-887-5414, go to https://go.unl.edu/pwgu or contact Tessa Hain at [email protected].