"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 support 4-H members during the Perry County 4-H Fair & Chicken Dinner Wednesday, July 31, 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 make the items exhibited at the annual Perry County 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner set for Wednesday, July 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 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 4-H Fair exhibits,” said Dianna Koenig, 4-H youth program assistant with the University of Missouri Extension.
The Chicken Dinner includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, slaw and homemade pie/desserts. Tickets are $13 for all carryouts and adults and $8 for children (age 10 and under) and are available from any 4-H member or the Perry County Extension Center, 321 N. Main in Perryville. Anyone may walk in and buy dinner tickets at the door.
According to Koenig, various 4-H projects will be displayed from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at the annual 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner. 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.
4-H members will sell their products from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the “Show-Me 4-H Wares” event inside the main Legion Hall.
“This is an excellent entrepreneurial opportunity for youth who want to turn their 4-H projects/services into a business,” Koenig said. “Homemade items to be sold this year by 4-H members include Honey & Beeswax chapstick; “Elijah’s Home Plants” (aloe and more), “Donut Queen,” “Country Jammin’ Jellies,” “Faith by Design” (Handmade Crochet Earrings, scrunchies, scrubbies and more); Homegrown Produce; Arts & Crafts (Coasters, tumblers, earrings); 3D Printed Sculptures; Handmade Jewelry; and “Sarah’s Shine Lemon Cleaner.”
The 4-H Fair and Chicken Dinner will include a 4-H-Style Show at 6 p.m. and presentation of the Friend of the 4-H award.
At 6:45 p.m., the ever-popular, old-fashioned games, from water balloon toss to wheel barrel and three-legged races, will be held for all kids in the community on the St. Vincent de Paul Quonset Hut yard. All youth are welcome. The games are free, and you do not have to be a 4-H member to join in the fun.
This year, all the Perry County 4-H Fair Animal Shows were held on the morning of July 20 at the fairgrounds. County 4-H members showed their poultry, rabbits, goats, sheep, swine, bucket calves, dogs, cats, pets, dairy and Clover Kids Small animals. The Perry County 4-H Fair Horse Show was held July 21, with members showing their horses at the new 4-H Arena on the Perry County Saddle Club grounds.
“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,” Koenig said. “Also, those who might be interested in joining 4-H are invited to come to the 4-H Fair 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.”
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 e-mail koenigd@missouri.edu. Equal Opportunity/ADA Institution.
