By Anne Hershewe

news@joplinglobe.com

Members of 4-H and Future Farmers of America will have a chance to showcase their accomplishments at upcoming youth fairs in Jasper, McDonald and Newton counties.

Exhibitors at the fairs will range in age from 5 to 21.

Jasper County will hold its fair Thursday through Saturday, July 18, at Municipal Park in Carthage.

Bob McNary, youth development specialist for 4-H in Jasper County, said organizers expect between 300 and 400 exhibitors with a wide variety of exhibits. McNary also said they will have several hundred adult volunteers to help out during the fair.

Youths at the fairs will be displaying agri-science accomplishments as well as showcasing animals such as swine, rabbits and sheep. The fair will also hold pageants for queen and princess and Little Mister and Miss as well as a car and tractor show. Judging is set to begin on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 15.

McNary said the fairs are the culmination of the hard work and dedication the Missouri youths have put into their projects.

“It shows them responsibility and the ability to get things done,” he said. “(They) set goals and see them through to the end.”

The skills the youths are developing are beneficial and lifelong, McNary said.

Newton County

The Newton County Youth Fair will be combined with the Newton County Fair, to be held Wednesday through Saturday in Neosho.

Combining the two events means people of all ages will be able to have exhibits, from age 5 to senior citizens. The fair will also offer open divisions which mean people don’t have to be affiliated with any organization to enter the contests or have exhibits.

Exhibits will range from livestock to equipment to zucchini, and will be held indoors and outdoors. Live entertainment is promised for each night of the fair alongside a carnival. The fair is also crowning its own king and queen.

The fair is put on by the Newton County A&M Society and is organized by a board of about 13 people.