Open Divisions, Exhibits at 4-H Fair Mean Everyone Can Experience the Fun

COURT HOUSE — New Open Divisions at the Cape May County 4-H Fair offer numerous opportunities for participants who aren’t a member of 4-H where anyone can head home with a ribbon. “Our goal is to both increase interest in and increase the number of interesting projects entered into the general categories that are housed in the Lockwood 4-H Youth Center,” explained Linda Horner, who is the acting 4-H agent.
Is scrapbooking your hobby or perhaps you are an expert gardener? If you have a love of farming or a mind for technology, if woodworking is your talent or you have a knack for fishing, 4-H wants to showcase your talents to the community.
In the open division for children Kindergarten through third grade, youngsters will receive participation ribbons for their entries, just like our young 4-H Cloverbud members. The Open Youth Division is for those in fourth through twelfth grade to showcase educational posters, exhibits, handmade or self-grown products or artwork. The Open Adult Division is for anyone out of high school who is interested in showcasing their handmade products or artwork.
First through third place ribbons will be given to the winners of the open youth and open adult group, and those blue ribbon winners will be featured in the fair’s Best in Show display.
All entries must meet criteria in the New Jersey 4-H Code of Conduct and exhibitors must be residents of Cape May County.
The check-in date and time for these projects is July 14, at 6:30 p.m. in our Lockwood 4-H Youth Center, 355 Court House-South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House. For more information, call 609-465-5115, ext. 605.
Don’t forget the fair: The annual 4-H fair runs July 17 – 19 at the 4-H fairgrounds located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House. Public hours for the fair are noon to 9 p.m. Thurs. and Fri. and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free and there is a host of fun events Thursday through Sun.
Fri. evening at the fair brings a concert by rising country music star and Ventnor native Mia Bergman and her band. Mia will perform at 5:00 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. New events on Sat. include an antique car show by the Jersey Cape Cruisers from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and a Saw Dogs’ Chain Saw Artist Demonstration and Auction. Throughout the fair there will be camel rides, a farmers’ market and a beach bag give-a-way by the CMC 4-H Foundation.
Wizard’s Festival of Fun Amusements will return to the fair this summer with thrilling, safe rides for the whole family, along with new and returning commercial and educational exhibitors. The popular Children’s Pet Show, sponsored by Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies, will take place July 19, beginning at 9 a.m. on the main stage. All children are invited to bring their favorite dogs, cats, rabbits and other unusual pets for many fun classes, including costumes. Trophies, gift certificates or ribbons will be awarded in all classes. The entry fee is $1 per class.
The 4-H Youth Development program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County. Volunteers are always needed to assist at the 4-H Fair. Please call (609) 465-5115 ext. 605 for more information. Learn more about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program and the 4-H Fair at the 4-H Foundation website cmc4h.com.