VA State Fair moves to New Grounds

SAME GREAT NAME, NEW LOCATION!
The VA State Fair has move to CArolilne County. This year's fair will take place Sept 24 - Oct 4 at The Meadow Event Park, off of I-95 at exit 98 next to Kings Dominion. It's the best of Virginia! Come see Virginia’s finest animals and agriculture, exhibits and shows, toe-tappin' music, fine arts and crafts, blue ribbon competitions and more! Plan now to be a part of one of Virginia's greatest annual traditions since 1854.

Youth Equine Art Contst

The Virginia Horse Council, in partnership with the State Fair of Virginia, is offering a Youth Equine Art Contest for Virginia youth artists during the 2009 State Fair. Share your best horse art with everyone who attends the State Fair! Entries in the Equine Art Competition will be on display in the Arts & Crafts Hall for the duration of the 2009 State Fair. To enter go to the competitions section of the state fair website www.statefair.com/competitions and look under Youth Arts & Crafts, & Baked Goods for the guidelines. You do not have to be a 4-H member to enter the Equine Art Contest.

Eco-Ventures

Twenty eight local youth learned how they can live green. The three day 4-H Eco-Ventures Event helped them recognized the importance of protecting the environment, conserving resources and recycling. Youth hiked around Montpelier exploring the forest and learning about trees and wildlife. They also travel down the watershed to Lake Anna for some up close water explorations. The final day had them traveling up the trash mountain at the Orange

County Landfill for a behind the scenes tour. They also got to practice their recycling skills first hand. Participants competed to win a spot of the local radio station with a eco themed public service announcement. Youth who participated left with a recycling box and a family conservation plan.

4-H Members learn about the Past

Local 4-H members spent a few days this summer having fun learning about the past. Youth who participated in the 4-H Heritage Days workshop cooked their meals over the campfire, learned crafts like basket weaving, tin puch and leather working. They also played games like marbles and jacks. Jane Volchanski from the Madison Historical Society shared information about Madison County. Master Naturalist Jack and Sally Price lead a nature walk and talked about how plants were important to the early citizens. It was a fun and educational event for all!

Youth enjoyed 4-H Summer Workshops

This summer several youth participated in the fun workshops.

The theme for this year was "Back to Basics"

Quilting was out first activity. With the help from the local Quilting Guild youth received one on one instruction. Youth learned how to select fabric, sew squares and put the layers together. Each participant left with a completed wall hanging. One youth even won best of show at the county fair with her first quilt.

Canning was another workshop offering. Youth learn the process of hot water bath canning by making jam, pickles and salsa. They each took home what they made.

We offered two workshops for cloverbuds. Youth ages 5 - 8 gathered for some fun with arts and crafts. They also learned to make a snack from scratch.

A good time was had be all!