Perry County 4-H Fair & Chicken Dinner

"Learning by Doing" is the basis of 4-H work, and each year many young people between the ages of 5 and 19 do just that. The public is invited to come support the 4-H members by eating at the 4-H Fair Chicken Dinner from 4-7:30 p.m. and viewing the over 600 projects on display. 4-H members make the items or raise and train the animals which will be on exhibit at the annual Perry County 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner set for Wednesday, July 31 at the American Legion Hall in Perryville. "Hot carryouts will be available in the Legion Walnut Room. ALL proceeds from the meal are used to pay 4-H members a small amount of premium money for their exhibits," said Dianna Koenig, 4-H Youth Program Assistant with University of Missouri Extension. The Chicken Dinner includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, sliced tomatoes, jello salad and homemade pie. Advance tickets are $8 for adults and $5.50 for children in advance and are available from the Perry County Extension Center, 321 N. Main in Perryville or any 4-H member.

Again this year, 4-H members will present their county-winning 4-H Public Speeches at 5 p.m. on the Legion stage. 4-H animal judging, a style show and games are all other free fair activities open to everyone.

A wide variety of 4-H projects will be on display Wednesday, July 31 at the annual 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner," according to Koenig. A large array of "traditional" 4-H projects will be displayed from beautiful crocheted items to breathtaking photography to fragile crafts to scientifically engineered aerospace rockets to skillfully made woodwork. "Computers and technology are a big part of 4-H today and you will also see that displayed at the 4-H Fair," Koenig said. A laptop computer will be set up to run 4-H members' PowerPoint presentations. You will notice many projects using internet research and computer technology."

Starting Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m., the public is invited to come see the 4-H swine, sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry, dogs, and cats near the American Legion Colonnade Room parking lot. "Pets" is a new 4-H project and members enrolled in this area will also show their pets this year along with the other animals.

No one will want to miss the 4-H Style Show which begins at 6:00 p.m. inside the Legion Hall. 4-H members will model clothing and crocheted items that they have made this past year. At 6:30, the ever-popular, old fashioned games from water balloon toss to wheel barrel and 3 legged races will be held for all kids in the community. All youth ages 4-19 are welcome. The games are free and you do not have to be a 4-H member to join in the fun.

Just before the 4-H Style Show at 5:45 p.m. in the Main Hall, the Friend of 4-H award will be presented.

The 6th annual "Show-Me 4-H Wares" event will be held inside the main Legion hall from 4-7:30 p.m. also. 4-H members will sell their products. According to Koenig, "This is an excellent entrepreneurial opportunity for youth who want to turn their 4-H projects/services into a business.

"We always have many 4-H alumni come back to the 4-H Fair each year to visit with friends and see what 4-H members are doing today. Also those who might be interested in joining 4-H are invited to come to the 4-H Fair Wednesday and find out what in the world 4-H is all about. 4-H is more than a club, it is a community of young people who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H members are preparing themselves for the future while making new friends and having fun."

4-H Youth Development Programs are a division of University of Missouri Extension Center. For more information, contact Koenig at 573-547-4504 or 573-513-2899.