Hot Days Don’t Stop County’s 4-H Fair

COURT HOUSE – This sweltering heat, July 18-20, did not stop hundreds of locals from participating in the 4-H Fair at the Court House 4-H Fairgrounds.
The fair kicked off with a parade where different clubs and outstanding members were recognized, including Lower Cape May Regional High School senior Samantha Downes, 17, who is president of the Needle and Thread Club and vice president of the Teen Ambassadors club.
“I’m completely honored to have been able to grow up in a program that has allowed me to experience things like this,” Downes said. “Starting five years ago, I never really pictured myself being here, but now that I am it’s just so great that I have this opportunity to speak to people and be in this position.”
Some of Downes’ sewing and textile projects were displayed at the fair, including her sundress that won “Best in Show.”
“When I first started I wasn’t really sure what 4-H was all about,” she said. “To me it was all about the animals and I thought that I had to have an animal to be in 4-H. Then I was exposed to the sewing club and I thought ‘Wow, I could really be a part of 4-H.’”
Other members, like Emma Gotwols, 9, of Court House, participated in livestock and animal show competitions through the heat. All animals were given plenty of water and ice packs to battle the heat.
“Sometimes you get dirty, you get involved in things and I like being with animals so I love being in 4-H,” Gotwols said.
The 9-year-old is a member of the Pitchforks and Buckets Club and the Science Rocks Club. This year she won a Best of Breed award for her bunny.
She said she had to make sure to feed and water the rabbit twice a day and make sure her coat was up to par.
Whinny Pig Club member Leah Harkins, 10, of Cape May, participated in rabbit and horse shows. Harkins said she starts her days taking care of the animals before 6:30 a.m.
“In the mornings I have to feed the horse and then I have to check on my rabbit to make sure he has food and water,” Harkins said. “I also have to make sure the horse has two buckets of water. I have to make sure I keep the stalls clean and make sure he has enough hay.”
Harkins won multiple awards throughout the weekend, including the grand champion award for western walk-trot.
“It’s a lot of work but it’s all worth it because it’s really fun,” she said.
Popular activities this year included the newly added Butterfly Encounter, where nearly 250 butterflies roamed. Fairgoer Carter Brill, 7, of North Cape May was scared to visit the butterflies at first, but realized they don’t bite.
In the final hours of the fair, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (D-2nd) stopped with news that he’d give a speech about Cape May County’s 4-H on a worldwide broadcast within the next few weeks. He also awarded 4-H county program coordinator Linda Horner and President Ron Day with a special proclamation from the House of Representatives.