Renee Stillwell of the Clever Clovers 4-H Club grooms one of her sheep at last year’s Mercer County 4-H Fair.
Have you perfected a new skill or hobby this year? Maybe you started a project a while back and have finally finished it. You’re invited to bring it to the 98th annual Mercer County 4-H Fair for a chance to win a blue ribbon. This year the fair will be celebrated July 30-31 at the Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township.
There are many “Open Division” categories at the fair — you do not need to be a 4-H member to exhibit. Your special family recipe, homegrown vegetable or creative project could earn a ribbon, and the general public is encouraged to submit entries.
The fair will celebrate 4-H’s long association with Mercer County and Howell Farm by featuring family-friendly activities, such as arts and crafts, animal shows and farm tours. This year’s theme is “May the 4-H Be With You.”
Go to http://mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair, where you will find the fair exhibit book and a complete schedule. Any class listed — including arts and crafts, photography, foods, gardening, clothing, woodworking and more — may be entered under the Open Division. Projects will be received from the general public for entry in the fair on Friday, July 29, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Howell Living History Farm.
The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., July 30, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 31. Admission and parking are free. Children’s activities, hay rides, music and exhibits will take place throughout the fair. Plenty of food and drink, including homemade ice cream, will also be available for purchase. The opening ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on July 30.
4-H, a youth development program operated by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, provides research-based, hands-on learning experiences for youth in Mercer County. The fair is an opportunity for 4-H members to showcase projects they have worked on throughout the year.
For more information about 4-H or entering projects in the fair, contact Altaira Bejgrowicz at the Mercer County 4-H Office at 609-989-6833 or bejgrowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Howell Farm is located on Valley Road, just off Route 29, in Hopewell Township. The GPS address is 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township.
