The Muskingum County Agricultural Society (Senior Fair Board) announced this evening that they made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Muskingum County Fair. This includes the Junior Fair, which is under their leadership. OSU Extension shares the disappointment of the Senior Fair Board, but supports the decision for the health and well-being of our community and the long-term sustainability of the fair in this unprecedented economic and public health environment. We value our partnership and recognize the important role that the county fair plays in the lives of our 4-H members, volunteers and families.
Junior Fair is a major component of the county fair and 4-H is one of several youth organizations involved in Junior Fair. While Junior Fair exhibition is a highlight for many 4-H members, it is not a requirement to be a 4-H member in good standing, which includes club meeting attendance, project completion, and adherence to the Ohio 4-H Code of Conduct. 4-H members can refer to the 2020 Muskingum County 4-H Owner’s Manual, page 5, for more details on completing the year in 4-H. This information was also outlined in our July 8 update e-mail.
Muskingum County 4-H is committed to helping young people gain skills that will help them succeed, including navigating disappointment and developing resilience in the face of challenges and uncertainty. Club meetings and activities can continue if they follow the Ohio 4-H Planning Guide for In-person Meetings & Events. Our office will communicate directly with volunteers regarding club paperwork and requirement deadlines. Virtual Still Project Judging and Livestock Skillathon will offer youth an opportunity to complete projects, although I ask for your patience as consideration is given to any changes that might be made in light of the fair cancellation – stay tuned for more information, but in the meantime, keep working on those projects!
This Friday, July 17 marks my 10th anniversary of working for OSU Extension in Muskingum County. What a roller coaster ride it has been! Together, we face another unanticipated challenge that is a defining moment for our 4-H program. When our office first closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I shared a video on our Facebook page with the following quote, “If there’s one thing I know about our 4-H community here in Muskingum County, it’s that we are resilient.” Let’s show our strength by accepting today’s announcement with grace and encouraging youth to finish what they started in the ways that are available to us.