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Getting Closer!

It’s only 16 days until my favorite time of the year- the Iowa State Fair. What is more fun than 4-H exhibits, people watching, the Giant Slide, chops on a stick and tons of free entertainment? The State Fair is jam-packed with fun and excitement. With over a million fair-goers each year from around the world, I know I am not alone.

Do you remember your first year in 4-H? This past weekend I enjoyed watching my younger brother, Hank show at the county fair. It is his first year in 4-H and he had the time of his life showing his dog, poultry, doing an educational presentation, participating in the Pride of Iowa contest, and being involved with the clothing event. Though he isn’t old enough to show at the State Fair this year, he is excited to see the projects and animals that 4-Her’s will bring to Des Moines in just a couple of weeks.



The Iowa 4-H staff has been busy for weeks and there’s no sign of slowing down ahead! Recently, I pulled the wedding dresses from the closet to take photos of the dresses we recently received so 4-H’ers participating in Stitch This! could begin to make a plan of what they wanted to accomplish. One dress, in particular, was much more than we ever expected! We discovered the lengthy train after the dress had been placed on our model, Karen, the 4-H Building intern. The picture doesn’t quite do it justice but you get the idea.


Events like Stitch This! and the clothing event can’t take place without volunteers and donations. We would like to thank all of the individuals who donated wedding dresses for the Stitch This! event and hope all of you will come to the fair August 21 and 22 to see how the dresses will be reconstructed.

Volunteers are needed, however, for the State Clothing Event. Volunteers are needed August 10-15 – all days or 11-15 are necessary. High school or college age students are preferred. Volunteers will assist with the development of narratives, organization and implementation of program. This includes public narration of style shows and modeling current fashions.

Volunteers receive:
-Free ticket
-Free parking pass
-Meal tickets - $4 for breakfast and $5 for lunch and supper
-Free lodging – at the Cultural center on the fairgrounds

August 10 volunteers would need to arrive at the State Fair ready to work in the 4-H Building at 1:00pm. August 11-12 volunteers will be working in the 4-H Building. On August 13-15 volunteers would get on the bus at the State Fair at 7:00 in the morning and spend most of the day at the Merle Hay Mall and then venture back to the State Fair in the afternoon. Volunteers would need nice dressy outfits for the 13-15.

Volunteers are also needed to assist with other events in the 4-H Exhibits Building August 18 to 24. Volunteers may work any amount of days.
Please contact Karen Naig at kmnaig@extension.iastate.edu if you or someone you know is interested in these volunteer opportunities.

-DeEtta Bohling
Iowa 4-H Foundation

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