Fall Festival event promotes 4-H in Logan County

 

[October 20, 2021] 

On Saturday evening, the Logan County 4-H clubs and 4-H alumni hosted a fall festival in the livestock show barn at the Logan County Fairgrounds.

The purpose of the event was two-fold. The group gathered to enjoy a crisp fall evening together and also to promote 4-H to area families who might be interested in having their children participate in 4-H in the future.

The general belief that 4-H is an agricultural club, and in truth that is the concept behind the organization. However, as times change, 4-H has changed with it. Today it is more than farming and preserving food. The clubs explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM), offering activities that well complement the general education children receive in school.

Inside the barn on Saturday evening there were displays set up by various clubs throughout the county demonstrating some of the fun and interesting things that the club members do on a regular basis.

As an example, the Cloverdale 4-H club had an interactive table where that children could build a geometric design utilizing uncooked spaghetti with tiny marshmallows as the connectors.

Club leader Leslie Starasta and her daughter Sarah who is a member of the club said that the children enjoyed the challenge of making the pyramid-like structure.

Also, just for fun, the club had set up a pumpkin bowling lane using small pumpkins as balls and toilet paper ‘ghost’ pins. The bowling was just one of several fall related games scattered around the barn.

Across the way, Rose Catterson, a member of the Atlanta Ag 4-H club had with her one of her rabbits that she shows at the Logan County Fair. The rabbit was very well mannered and gentle enough that visiting children could pet the bunny and even hold it if they so desired. Catterson also had a story board set up, to illustrate the various parts of the rabbit body.

Another display was that of the Atlanta Ag Cloverbuds. The Cloverbuds is kind of like a pre-school program for 4-H. The children participating in Coverbuds are not yet old enough to join an official 4-H program. The Cloverbud program focuses on simpler lessons and activities and helps promote an interest in the full on program when children reach the appropriate age.

The Hartem Clovers Club was also on hand and shared a story board with the names of their members and officers. Listed in the position of club president was Logan County Junior Miss Alayna Briggs.

 

Junior Miss Alayna and Little Miss Sofia Farmer were in attendance at the event and were enjoying being in the spotlight with many of the children, especially the girls, seeking them out to talk about their elevate status in the county.

The 4-H Foundation also had a table, manned in part by Logan County Extension staff involved in the local 4-H programs including Carissa Davis and Amy Hyde. Also working that table was Logan County Tourism Director and former 4-H member Alice Roate.

Outside the barn a nice fire pit offered a little extra warmth to those gathered around visiting and enjoying very cold ice cream offered by Top Hat Creamery in the traveling Top Hat.

Before enjoying ice cream, everyone was encouraged to enjoy something a little more substantial. Lincoln Police Officer and D.A.R.E. officer who also has kids participating in 4-H, was on hand cooking up an endless supply of hot dogs.

Throughout the evening, people came and went checking out 4-H and enjoying visiting with others on hand.

The Logan County 4-H program has clubs throughout the county. The membership is open to children ages 7 through 18. Visit this link to find a club in your neighborhood and contact information for the adult leaders of each club.

spark_club_flyer_logan_2021.10.5.pdf (illinois.edu)

[Nila Smith]