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“Ride into 4-H and FFA”

 

“Ride into 4-H and FFA”

Submitted by Daniel Bock

The 2008 Knox County Fair is just around the corner. This year the fair will be just a little later, July 12-18, 2008. The theme for this year’s fair is “Ride into 4-H and FFA” and that is just what we are planning.

The Fair kicks off July 12 with the Knox County 4-H Open Horse Show at Pioneer Rangers Saddle Club in Novelty, MO, at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited to come and enjoy a day of great horsemanship in the new arena. A concession stand and restrooms are on site.

On Sunday, July 13, many 4-H members will have an opportunity to participate in the Knox County (members only) Dog Show. This year the fair board separated the Knox County Dog Show from the Northeast Missouri Regional Dog Show. The intention is to offer the Knox County members more learning opportunities and a greater variety of competition. The Knox County Dog Show will be held in the 4-H building behind the Courthouse in Edina, MO at 2:00 p.m.

On Sunday afternoon, one of the new additions that you will see at this year’s fair is the Business/Exhibitor Booth Displays. These displays will be located in the area east of the 4-H building and will allow many local businesses to show off some of the great items that are available right here locally for the Knox County area to enjoy. The Exhibitor booth area will begin setting up on Sunday afternoon. It is free to the public for viewing Monday thru Friday during daylight hours.

Sunday evening offers an event for everyone to enjoy. Many of the churches in Edina and around the area are uniting for a great night of music and ministry. The outdoor celebration will begin at 6:00 p.m. on the Courthouse lawn. Everyone is asked to bring their own lawn chair. Music from various churches will fill the air with praise to God. In case of rain the service will move under the 4-H building.

Monday, July 14, will begin early with Knox County 4-H members from all over the county submitting their art hall entries. The art hall has been a great opportunity for many years in which kids can come and show things that they have worked on and learned about throughout the last twelve months. Once the items are entered then selections will be made to pick the State Fair Qualifiers from Knox County. These projects that are chosen will be eligible to display at the Missouri State Fair in August. Once all the judging is complete the art hall will be open for public viewing from 5:00–8:30 p.m. on Monday evening. The projects that have been chosen for Knox County best in their class will be awarded plaques at the Monday evening activities in the 4-H building beginning at 7:00 p.m. with the Style Show and Awards Presentation, and will conclude with the crowning of the 2008 Fair Royalty. The art hall will also be available for public viewing Tuesday-Thursday, July 15, 16, and 17, from 12 noon–8:30 p.m., and Friday, July 18, from 12 noon–3:30 p.m.

Monday at 1:00 p.m. will begin the Northeast Regional 4-H Dog Show in the 4-H building. 4-H members from many counties come to compete to see which dog will be the top of its class.

A special feature this year at the fair is the Monday afternoon activities for kids of all ages. A rock climbing wall and several other games will fill the Courthouse lawn with a variety of fun things for kids to come participate. There will be guest talent performing on the Courthouse lawn from 5:30–6:30 p.m. A complimentary meal will be served by the Citizens Bank of Edina.

Also on Monday the Knox County FFA is sponsoring a “Super Teen Competition.” A team of 4 is needed to compete, (2 boys and 2 girls) and entry is free. Contestants will sign up at 12 noon. The competition will be held from 12–5:00 p.m. Teams will try their luck at Bale Throwing, Cow Milking, Nail Driving, and Hay Pyramid Stacking. The two top teams will then be called back to compete Monday night following the Royalty crowning to see who will be the “SUPER TEEN” team. The evening competition could be a mix of a big round bale roll, wheelbarrow blind fold/ greased watermelon run, an egg break, and an all tied up crabwalk. No matter what, it will be a great sight to see.
Tuesday, July 15, check-in will begin at 8:00 a.m. for the 9:00 a.m. Knox County 4-H/FFA Rabbit Show. The public is welcome to attend the livestock shows and judging will be in the 4-H building.

The 4-H/FFA Breeding Sheep will check-in from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and the show will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Market Lamb Show, and 4-H/FFA Sheep Showmanship classes.

All of the Goat exhibitors check-in from 10:30–12 noon. The 4-H/FFA Meat and Dairy Goat Show and the 4-H/FFA Open Goat Show will begin at 3:00 p.m. in the 4-H building, followed by the Showmanship classes. All 4-H or FFA members are invited to participate in the open show. Knox County follows the Animal Health Requirements for exhibitors that are set by the Missouri Veterinarian’s Office code (2 CSR 30-2.040). Animal health papers must be presented before animals are unloaded at the fair.
A meal will be available on the Courthouse lawn sponsored by the United Methodist Church Youth Group.

Anyone wanting to try their luck with a sheep or goat can come participate in the Sheep & Goat Style Show. Prizes will be awarded for the best dressed. Both the person and the sheep or goat must be dressed up to compete.
Wednesday, July 16, the Beef check–in is from 9:00-11:30 a.m. The 4-H/FFA Beef Show will begin for Knox County 4-H/FFA members at 5:00 p.m. with the breeding cattle, followed by the 4-H/FFA Bucket Calf Show, the 4-H/FFA Beef Steer Show and the 4-H/FFA Market Heifer Show. A meal is available at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by the Knights of Columbus on the Courthouse lawn.

Thursday, July 17, the Knox County 4-H/FFA Swine check-in is from 9:00-10:00 a.m. At 11:00 a.m. the 4-H/ FFA Breeding Swine Show will begin followed by the 4-H/FFA Market Swine Show and the 4-H/FFA Swine Showmanship classes.
The Knox County 4-H/FFA Poultry Show and the 4-H/FFA Open Poultry Show will begin at 4:00 p.m. All Poultry will follow the Missouri Health Requirements. All Poultry will be blood tested before they enter the barn area. The open show exhibitors can sign up during Poultry check-in time from 2:00-3:00 p.m. No pre-registration is needed.
One new self determined project that is making a big impact in Knox County is Sport Card Collecting. A “SWAP MEET” is scheduled for July 17 at 3:00, location TBA. Knox County 4-H/FFA members will have their display for viewing. The “SWAP MEET” will also give the members a chance to buy, sell, or trade cards. Anyone interested in reserving a display table can call 660-284-6281.

A second self determined project that Knox County 4-H members are involved in is Race Car. 4-H members and a few of their friends will display their Race Cars from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Monticello Street for the public to view. The Edina Chamber of Commerce will have a meal available on the Courthouse lawn at 5:30 p.m.

The highlight of the Thursday evening activities will be the 2008 Knox County 4-H/FFA Tractor Pull. The Tractor Pull is sponsored by Cardwell Brothers Logging, Inc. The Tractor Pull is open to the public to form a team and participate and the competition will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Monticello Street. There are four classes: 1000lb. Girls–18 and under; 1000lb. Boys-18 and under; 1000lb. Co-ed–18 and over; and the “Outlaw” class (6 people unlimited weight). Registration begins at 6:00 p.m. under the 4-H building. An entry fee of $20 per team is due upon registration. Anyone under 18 will need a parent signature to participate. Forms may be picked up in advance from the Knox County Extension office. For more information call Kim and Les Cardwell at 660-397-2602. There will also be a $100 gift certificate to the Blue Room awarded for the team with the “Best Theme”.

Friday, July 18, begins with the 4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle Show and the 4-H/FFA Open Dairy Cattle Show at 11:00 a.m. All the dairy cattle will need to be checked-in from 9:00-10:00 a.m. in the 4-H building and must meet the Missouri Health Requirements for Exhibition. At 11:00 a.m. the Knox County 4-H/FFA Bucket Calf Show will be held, then the Knox County 4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle Show and the 4-H/FFA Open Dairy Show will coincide followed by the Showmanship classes.

Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. the Knox County Rescue Squad Bar-B-Q will be available on the Courthouse lawn (east side). The Awards Presentation will begin at 6:45 p.m. under the 4-H building. All sale items need to be in place at 7:00 p.m. for the 2008 4-H/FFA Livestock and Art Hall Sale to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the 4-H building. The public is encouraged to come support their Knox County 4-H/FFA members.