By Terra Avilla
It’s Fair Week You’all! One of my most favorite weeks of the year for an array of reasons. The most notable being that it is the time of year when our county comes together and celebrates our wonderful community and the people within it. All while our children run rampant, giggling, with corn dogs and cotton candy.
Yes, the fair brings vendors, rides, concerts, and this year a wrestling extravaganza, but it also consistently brings out the wonderful animals and challenging work of our local 4H.
Prior to moving to Lassen County, I had no idea what 4H was, what they did, how to join etc. It took a very short time being in Lassen County for me to be acquainted with many people who do 4H. And I can tell you what a wonderful thing for our youth, but also for our community.
According to 4H’s website they provide “experiences where young people learn by doing. For more than 100 years, 4H has welcomed young people of all beliefs and backgrounds, giving kids a voice to express who they are and how they make their lives and communities better.”
In our community our 4H community “kids and teens complete hands-on projects” such as raising and caring for various animals, in an “environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.”
These kiddos and teens take pride in their animals, caring for them for months leading up to fair. At fair they will be judged on their showmanship as well as the animal itself. And these kids and teens take so much care and pride in their animals, from bunnies to chickens to goats, and cows (and I’m sure so much more); you see them in their iconic outfit-with their smiles beaming.
They take so much pride in competing at the fair, and as someone who has experienced eleven fairs – every year I become more and more familiar with the smiling faces in the barns and in the arena.
As a school resource officer, but also as a mother and member of the community, I can tell you we as a community should be very thankful for this program, instilling responsibility, community, dedication, and teamwork into our youth. Also, I think I would be remiss about mentioning the actual therapeutic portions of caring for a living being.
If you have never taken a gander in the stalls at Fair, I highly encourage you to do so. Tell the 4H members in there (who stand by all week!), hello – and I’m certain they would be more than happy to discuss 4H, or their animals with you.
It is a wonderful program with wonderful people in it. Happy Fair week my community, go out and enjoy one of the very best reasons I love where we live!
