When Brendan Kissane and Macy Fleischer enter their projects at the 2008 Clinton County 4-H & Youth, they’ll be following in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents and creating memories that they will pass on to their grandchildren in the future. They’ll be only two of the hundreds of youth exhibitors this year that will be showcasing their accomplishments at the Fair and spending time with friends and family throughout the weeklong event just as thousands before them have in the past 70 fairs.

This year’s event will provide lots of opportunities for exhibitors, parents, leaders, friends, family, and community members to see what these young people have learned and to watch them compete for awards in many different arenas. The Fair starts off with the Dog Show on Saturday morning at 9:00 am. Spectators will be able to see youth compete with their canine companion in showmanship, obedience and rally classes. While this is going on, other youth will be entering their still projects from 10am – 3 pm.

The Fair officially begins on Monday morning (July 28^th) with the Horse Show and Poultry Show both beginning at 9:00 am. The Prospect Beef show starts at 11:00 am and the sheep show follows in the judging pavilion at 7:00 pm. Members of the 4-H Service Club will be meeting for lunch and reminiscing at noon and the evening program offers karaoke on the main Fair Stage or the Draft Horse Pull in the horse arena. Tuesday morning begins at 8:30 am with the Goat show and the Swine show followed at 9:00 am with the start of the Horse Show and Rabbit Show. The Llama Show begins at 11:30 am and the beef show at 4:00 pm. Tuesday night’s program on the stage begins with the 4-H Style Show at 6:00 pm followed by a performance by the Clarkson Band from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

The fun continues on Wednesday. The horse Show, Dairy Show and Pocket Pets Show all start at 9:00 am. The Canine Hour of Fun allows the community to participate in a Canine Hour of Fun hosted by the Show Offs 4-H Club and then the 4-H Agility Competition begins at 4:00 pm on the grassy area in the center of the fairgrounds. The annual 4-H & FFA Livestock Sale begins at 4:00 pm in the Pavilion and the Horse & Pony Fun Show starts at 6:00 pm. Clowns for every occasion will be performing on the stage starting at 7 pm and will be doing balloons, songs, jokes, magic, and stories for children and adults.

Thursday is Kids Day at the Fair with activities including a scavenger hunt, pedal pull and Ronald McDonald Show. The Sweepstakes Showmanship Contest will be held in the Pavilion beginning at 2:00 pm and the Fair Awards Program starts at 6:00 pm. The Family Fun Factor is back this year and will be the feature Thursday evening from 8:00 – 10:00 pm.

Of course throughout the week there’ll be lots more going on and the best part of all is that there’s no admission to any of these programs, no parking fees, and reasonably priced food and beverages for everyone who gets hungry. Whatever your plans for the last week of July, make sure you plan a trip to the 2008 Clinton County 4-H & Youth Fair – a great place for your family to make memories of your own!