“Learning by Doing” is the foundation 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 support the 4-H members during the Perry County 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner on Wednesday, July 30, at the American Legion in Perryville. Come, eat at the Perry County 4-H Fair Chicken Dinner and view hundreds of projects on display.
4-H members create the items that are exhibited at the annual Perry County 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at the American Legion Hall in Perryville.
“Hot carry-outs will be available in the Legion Walnut Room,” said Dianna Koenig, 4-H Youth Program assistant with the University of Missouri Extension. “All proceeds from the meal are used to pay 4-H members a small amount of premium money for their 4-H Fair exhibit.”
The Chicken Dinner includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, slaw and homemade pie/desserts. Tickets are $14 for all carry-outs and adults, and $8 for children (ages 10 and under). They are available from any 4-H member or the Perry County Extension Center, at 321 N. Main in Perryville.
Anyone may walk in and buy dinner tickets at the door. A wide variety of 4-H projects will be on display from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at the annual 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner.
According to Koenig, the viewing of exhibits is free and open to everyone.
“A large array of 4-H projects will be displayed, from beautiful, crocheted items to breathtaking photography to fragile crafts to handcrafted woodwork,” she said, adding that 4-H members will sell their products from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the “Show-Me 4-H Wares” event held inside the main Legion Hall.
“This is an excellent entrepreneurial opportunity for youth who want to turn their 4-H projects or services into a business,” Koenig said. “Homemade items to be sold this year by 4-H members include “Elijah’s Home Plants” (aloe and more), “Donut Queen,” “Faith by Design” (handmade crochet earrings, scrunchies, scrubbies, and more), homemade goat’s milk soap,
“Sarah’s Dandy- Lion Salve and X-tra Power Wash,” woodwork and crafts, tie-dye shirts, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and more.” A 4-H Style Show at 6 p.m. and the presentation of a Friend of 4-H award will also be part of the 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner.
At 6:45 pm, the ever-popular games for kids in the community will be held on the Powerhouse yard beside Baer Surveying. All youth are welcome, the games are free, and you don’t have to be a 4-H member to join in the fun.
This year, all the Perry County 4-H Fair Animal Shows will be held on the morning of Saturday, July 26, at the fairgrounds in Altenburg. County 4-H members will exhibit their poultry, rabbits, goats, sheep, swine, bucket calves, dogs, cats, pets, dairy animals, and Clover Kids’ small animals.
Koenig said more than 850 4-H project items and animals were exhibited at last year’s Perry County 4-H Fair, and almost 900 people were served at the 4-H Fair Chicken Dinner.
“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,” she explained. “Also, those who might be interested in joining 4-H are invited to attend the 4-H Fair and discover what 4-H is all about. It’s more than a club; it’s a community of young people learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H members are preparing themselves for the future while making new friends and having fun.”
For more information about these events or the 4-H program, contact Dianna Koenig, Perry County University of Missouri Extension 4-H Youth Development Program associate, at 573-547-4504 or 573-513- 2899, or email koenigd@ missouri.edu. Equal Opportunity /ADA Institution.
