Scrambles provide fun and challenges for 4-Hers

[August 10, 2021]   In the middle of the busy fair week, the 4-H Scramble Night gives children a chance to get out some of their energy as they “scramble” to catch an animal let loose on the track.

On Wednesday night, stands were filled with people cheering on the kids. After Lesleigh Bennett sang the National Anthem, Master of Ceremonies Cameron Jodlowski led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Logan County Fair Queen Caroline Ahrends then led the audience in the 4-H Pledge.

Logan, Menard and Sangamon County Extension Director Terri Miller assisted in leading the night’s events and reading off names.

In the scrambles, children organized by age groups worked hard to catch different sizes and types of animals.

For the chicken scramble 16 adorable children between ages five and seven darted around trying to catch one of the many chickens. The kids learned just how challenging it could be as the chickens dodged to and fro attempting to escape capture. Two kids quickly caught chickens. The last chicken managed to evade capture until choosing to head towards the cages where the child was able to corner it.

One lucky child caught the money bird, a golden rooster, winning a $5 bill.

Next up, eleven children between the ages of eight and 10 tried to capture one of the six crafty goats who were scrambling across the track when let out of a trailer. The children had to catch and then halter the goats, which was not an easy feat. For the next year, these goats will be a 4-H project for the kids who caught one.

Then, 12 pre-teens and young teens between the ages of 10 and 15 wrangled with slick pigs slathered with conditioner, which can be a daunting task.

The slippery pigs kept sliding out of the kids’ grasps. Many learned to grab the pigs by the hind legs and “walk” them like a wheelbarrow. Once caught, the pigs were taken to an enclosure.

For the final and most exhilarating part of the evening, 16 kids between the ages of 12 and 18 participated in a calf scramble. This experience seems harrowing as the kids strive to rope a big feisty calf that can weigh up to 350 pounds.

As the calves were released from a trailer, Jodlowski led the crowd in chanting three, two, one, scramble. Having participated in scrambles growing up, Jodlowski advised kids to use the wall to help capture the calves.

This feat took a lot of strength, skill and determination. In some instances, the calves dragged the kids around the track as they tried to rope them. Since stamina is a challenge as both the kids and calves get worn out as the scramble ensues, the audience was asked to loudly cheer them on.

Those who caught a calf keep it to raise for next year’s steer competition. During next year’s scrambles, these kids and their steers will be judged on record keeping, fitting, confirmation and showmanship.

Nine of the winners from the last calf scramble brought their cow back to be judged.

Before announcing those in the steer competition, Jodlowski introduced Logan County’s Bill Bree, saying he is a legend in the industry. Bree was asked to say a few words before awards were announced.

Bree said Logan County’s scrambles are one of the oldest in the United States. He said the kids who raised the steers all did a very good job.

In the steer competition, three experienced judges gave separate awards to the top three in record keeping, fitting, confirmation and showmanship. First place in record keeping was Callie Carlton. First place in showmanship was Paige Finchum. First place in both fitting and confirmation was Jacob Lawrence. The overall winner of this year’s steer competition was Jacob Lawrence.

Due to the pandemic there were no scrambles held in 2020. However, there was a work-around last year for youth to qualify for a calf to raise. The youth entered an essay contest and calves were given to the winning authors.

The evening included the awarding of five scholarships and the recognition of three Illinois award winners and several seniors finishing out their many years in 4-H. Also recognized were recently retired Patty Huffer for her 30 years of 4-H service; and John Fulton, who was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame.
 

The evening’s events were lively and entertaining. Kids watching the event were often wide-eyed with excitement. Adults could be seen on the edge of their seats as the kids scrambled to catch the calves. The cheers of the audience encouraged the kids to work hard to catch the feisty animals.

[Angela Reiners]