July 09, 2007 12:14 am
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By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
CARTHAGE, Mo. This week, the fairgrounds at Carthage Municipal Park will be filled with kids, cattle and other farm animals, plus exhibits in studies ranging from aerospace to welding.
The 51st Annual Jasper County Youth Fair gets in full swing today with a work day at the fairgrounds.
Activities started Saturday with exhibit judging and a dog and cat show.
More than 300 young people from throughout the county are expected to participate in this years fair, showing animals they have raised, crops they have raised or projects they have completed. The fair is open to members of any youth organization in the county, but normally attracts members of local FFA programs and 4-H Clubs.
The fair has grown and evolved over the years and has expanded from a traditionally agricultural thrust, said Bob McNary, 4-H Youth Development Specialist with the University of Missouri Extension Service.
FFA and 4-H both have an agricultural emphasis, but they make a lot more programs available, he said. Were involving more and more students from urban areas, and well have projects exhibited in things like aerospace, child development, computer science, electricity, entomology, veterinary science and photography.
Youths also will be competing in events including agricultural science and agricultural mechanics, and showing cattle, goats, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits and guinea pigs. For some competitors, the events will be a preliminary to the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield and the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia.
In addition to the competition, there is a pet show, baby contest, watermelon feed and milking contest among local celebrities.
This years fair started with some physical rebuilding after one of the barns was damaged in an ice storm earlier this year. One building was expanded and fencing added, and additional renovations are planned, McNary said.
Youth fair calendar
Today
9 a.m. Workday for 4-H and FFA members and volunteers to clean and prepare the grounds for the fair.
2 p.m. 4-H/FFA Agri-science judging.
6 p.m. Horse and mule show, Saddle Club arena.
Tuesday, July 10
6 p.m. Fair queen pageant.
7 p.m. Rabbit show, guinea pig show.
Wednesday, July 11
8 to 10 a.m. FFA Ag mechanics judging.
9 a.m. Poultry show.
12:30 p.m. Dairy goat show, followed by boer goat show.
3 p.m. Exhibition building opens to the public.
7 p.m. Pee-wee shows.
Thursday, July 12
8:30 a.m. Steer show.
Noon Sheep show.
6 p.m. Swine show.
7 p.m. Watermelon feed.
Friday, July 13
8 a.m. Dairy show.
5 p.m. Barbecue sponsored by Youth Fair Board.
6:30 p.m. Jerry Crownover, motivational speaker.
7 p.m. Market Animal Sale, followed by dance for exhibitors.
Saturday, July 14
8 a.m. Sheep lead line.
10 a.m. Livestock judging contest.
Noon Round robin showmanship competition, followed by pedal tractor pull.
4 p.m. Beautiful baby contest.
4:30 p.m. Kountry Kritters pet show.
7 p.m. Awards ceremony.
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Photos
Globe/Garry Jeffries
Judge Cindi Davis inspects Joey Baker and his Jack Russell Terrier, Honey, during competition at the Carthage Dog Show at the Carthage Municipal Park on the weekend.