Record entries at Pittsburg County Free Fair

Sep. 8—A brand new document variety of displays entered on the Pittsburg County Free Truthful is holding alive the fervour of a late 4-H chief and educator who died in June after a mind aneurysm.

Greg Owen, Pittsburg County OSU Extension Educator in 4-H & Youth Improvement, mentioned Frink-Chambers Public Faculty had roughly 276 entries final 12 months — with the college greater than doubling that quantity with 555 exhibit entries this 12 months. Owen, who has helped coordinate the truthful for 27 years, mentioned

“I do not ever keep in mind one other membership having that quantity,” Owen mentioned.

Greater than 150 of the entries had been coloured and adorned 4-H clovers designed by the Frink-Chambers 4-H Cloverbuds consisting of scholars in kindergarten by the second grade.

The clovers characteristic the late Donna Curry’s well-known quote “Make it an amazing day or not. That selection is yours.”

Curry was the college’s 4-H chief for greater than 20 years previous to her sudden loss of life in June.

“The county truthful was an enormous deal to her,” Owen mentioned.

Owen spoke of a playful competitors between 4-H teams situated inside Pittsburg County on which group would have essentially the most entries within the exhibit corridor with the biggest competitors held between Curry and the Kiowa 4-H chief.

“In the event that they acquired beat by the opposite faculty, Mrs. Curry would actually ger on her faculty intercom and inform her youngsters this is not going to occur once more, we’ll beat this faculty,” Owen mentioned. “And Kiowa can be at their conferences and saying we won’t let Frink beat us.”

Owen mentioned general, participation on this 12 months’s truthful is up round 55% than final 12 months, which can also be the primary 12 months in-person judging resumed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re actually glad to be 100% again in individual,” Owen mentioned. “The participation ranges have been distinctive.”

Owen mentioned he’s additionally excited that the 4-H curiosity general in Pittsburg County this 12 months has grown.

Story continues

“It’s actually on hearth,” Owen mentioned. ” I’ve acquired so many individuals signing up; I can not even sustain.”

Though the truthful this 12 months doesn’t characteristic carnival rides, there are a handful of meals truck choices out there for fair-goers and individuals.

Friday occasions embody livestock judging contests and the Aggie Olympics. Poultry, pigeons, and rabbit judging will even start on Friday.

Livestock entries will check-in from 5-7 p.m. earlier than the goat present begins at 7 p.m. Friday.

Saturday will characteristic an unsightly and fairly rooster contest at 7:30 a.m. earlier than the junior swine present begins at 8 a.m. adopted by the sheep and cattle exhibits.

The 4-H finest all-around contest is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. adopted by the awards program.

For extra details about becoming a member of 4-H and its occasions and actions can name the OSU Extension Workplace at 423-4120 or electronic mail Owen at greg.owen@okstate.edu.

Contact Derrick James at djames@mcalesternews.com