The Middletown Grange Fair is running until Sunday, August 22, 2010 in Middletown, Central Bucks Co. PA. (Look up location and schedules at http://grangefair.org/.) There are tons of animals being judged, horse rides, carnival rides, and lots of booths with food and products to buy. But we go for 4H, and for the cash prizes! First, 4H. 4H provides young people from 8 to 18 the opportunity to develop skills in almost every field imaginable: of course, the farming skills, including caring for various animals and growing all kinds of crops, but also a myriad of handcrafts, food projects, small engine repair, shooting sports, fishing, hiking, drama, and so much more. Monthly meetings are run by the youngsters themselves; the first part is a business meeting, (minutes, old business, new business) using ‘parliamentary procedure’. ("I have a motion to… Do I have a second?") The second half is a service project or a really interesting speaker. Our club has had a hawker with his hawk, a soldier, a large animal vet, a glass-blower, and even a troupe of men who dance with bamboo sticks (like in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)! Once the children complete a project, they are to display it at the Grange Fair. Below are some pictures of some of the many activities available. Click on a picture to make it bigger, and see the caption. I highly recommend introducing your child to 4H. It’s a great opportunity to learn many new things, meet some really good kids, and develop leadership skills. To learn more about 4H and to find a 4H club in your area, go to http://4-h.org/, click the Get Involved tab, and click on your state. Best of Show, Market Basket Now for the prizes! Have you ever seen the movie Babe? Do you remember the wife collecting thousands of ribbons at the fair? Well, that still goes on. Another aspect of the Grange Fair is the opportunity to submit your handiwork for judging and cash prizes. My girls mostly do needlework and crafts, but there is also stiff competition for the best tomato and the biggest pumpkin! Flowers, sheep’s fleece, flower arrangements, woodworking, animals, jam, pie…you name it, they judge it! It’s a terrific opportunity to encourage children (and adults!) to try something new. If your child tye-dies a shirt, or makes a picture out of shells, or creates a playdoh statue, or paints a rock like a dog, submit it! To get a ribbon and a few dollars for your hard work is very satisfying. Below are some more pictures (including Angela's winning quilt and Teresa's winning jewelry! Click to see the captions.) We didn’t get to the animals yet, hopefully we’ll see them on Sunday. I encourage you to come to the Middletown Grange Fair, if you are in our area. For only $10 entrance fee per car, which goes to the fire company, you will have a fabulously fun day! Enjoy the Fair!
1 Comment
8/21/2010 04:06:41 am
What a wonderful article and the pictures are great! Can we use them for the 4-H club's scrapbook for next year?
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AuthorWelcome to Growing Goodness! This website is dedicated to growing good things, both plants and children. It's a gardening blog with maternal overtones, as I discuss the goodness and value of plants, both wild and domestic. In the process I hope to help you pass a love of nature on to your children. Happy Gardening! Archives
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