Ripley County 4H Board Makes Changes to 2020 Fair

All exhibit hall projects will be judged in a closed setting. Projects must be dropped off at an assigned time, from Monday, July 13 to Thursday, July 16.

Photo by Rachael Smith.

(Ripley County, Ind.) – With much uncertainty surrounding community events over the past months, many community members are wondering if they will be able to attend certain summer events.

This includes those who attend the Ripley County 4H Fair.

On Monday, May 25 the 4H Corporation Board met to make decisions regarding the event which is quickly approaching.

Board member Monica Hansen, “If the county reaches Stage 5 of reopening by July 4th, we are planning to have a 4H Fair.”

While the Ripley County 4H Fair is still expected to be held, it will look much different from past fairs.

All exhibit hall projects will be judged in a closed setting. Projects must be dropped off at an assigned time, from Monday, July 13 to Thursday, July 16. Perishable projects, including cake decorating, foods, crops, flowers, food preservation, gardening, will be dropped off the morning of Friday, July 17 to be judged that afternoon.

Animal projects will be done in a “show and go” setting. Animals will be shown from the trailer with a limited number of pins in the barns for those who need them. Animals will not be allowed to remain on the premises overnight. Showtimes and schedules will be changed to fit the nature of this show style, and an updated schedule will be sent out in the upcoming weeks.

4H’ers who are planning to bring animals to the fair must complete an online module to replace the YQCA training for this year. If you are taking animals to the State Fair, the online version of the YQCA training will need to complete, and you will not have to complete the online modules.

All 4H members will also have the ability to chose a virtual way of completing their project if they or their family does not feel comfortable attending the fair.

The Ripley County 4H Fair auction will be held in an online format.

Food vendors will be in attendance but will be limited, including limited menus.

At this year's fair, there will NOT be any of the following:

• Open Class Exhibits
• Commercial Exhibits
• Midway Rides
• Grandstand Events
• Miss Ripley County Queen Contest
• Little Miss Ripley County Queen Contest
• Baby Show
• Pedal Tractor Pull

"Thank you all for your patience through this unexpected time," says Hansen. "We will continue to update and send out more details as we get closer to the 4-H Fair."

For any further questions, call (812) 689-6511.