(Spirit Lake)– The 2020 Dickinson County 4-H and FFA Fair kicks off tomorrow (Sat.) at the fairgrounds in Spirit Lake. Madelein Bretey, County Youth and Ag Coordinator with ISU Extension, Dickinson County says this year’s fair will look a lot different due to COVID-19…
“So this year for the 2020 Dickinson County Fair 4-H shows we’re actually having adapted versions of our 4-H youth exhibits. Unfortunately this year due to conversations with Public Health these shows are not going to be open to the public but there are invitations that 4-H exhibitors can extend to keep our numbers down. So that is one part of the fair that is definitely going to be different this year.”
Another is the static exhibits…
“We had a non conference judging so we call it State Fair style so what that means is the judges came in and the projects got dropped off beforehand by the 4-Her’s and then they were judged by the judges without the 4-Her’s there, so we really encouraged our 4-Her’s this year to work on written communications. I know in 4-H a lot of the time we look forward to the verbal communications but this was just a different learning style this year and not to mention it was a great way to reiterate some of those written communications as if our Dickinson County 4-Her’s do have any static exhibits that go on to State Fair this is typically how they’re being judged in an average year.”
When it comes to livestock, Bretey says it comes as no surprise the numbers are down this year…
“It has been kind of a crazy year and I know that everybody’s dealing with their own sets of battles. So our numbers are a little bit down, but we still are seeing pretty good turnouts in certain shows. I’m looking forward especially to the Horse Show. That’s going to be happening Sunday night. I know people have been working hard and still practicing and putting forth some really great efforts.”
Bretey says they felt it was important to still be able to have the fair, even with the major changes…
“And I think there’s a lot of learning opportunities that our 4-Her’s have already picked up on. I keep telling everybody adaptability is the word of the year and I think everybody has experienced that in some capacity.”
While the various shows and events at this year’s Dickinson County Fair will be off limits to the public, you will be able to view them online as most will be live streamed at the Explore Okoboji Facebook page.
The Dickinson County 4-H and FFA Fair concludes Thursday, July 23rd with the livestock auction.
