Showing off their skills at the Boone County Fair

Days before there was a single carnival truck in the vicinity, 9-year-old Ben Wesselmann joined rows of children and parents in line at the Boone County Fairgrounds. But instead of getting ready for the first crack at dizzying rides, they were waiting their chance to compete for ribbons. All of the 13 4-H clubs in the county were represented at the Youth Arts competition Thursday night.

Volunteer judges asked members questions about their projects and awarded ribbons.

Ron Moser, a remodeling contractor who judged wood science, welding, electric and small engine projects, asked Ben and others how they had made cuts, which tools they used, why they chose to do the project and what they

liked most and least about it.

Projects fall into about 50 categories, including cake decorating, clowning, entomology, photography, welding and wildlife. Shelby Truelove, a 15-year-old budding fashion designer, brought a black crepe dress.

“I guess I’ll keep doing 4-H until I get old enough to show my clothes somewhere else,” Shelby said.

Anyone ages 8 to 18 can join 4-H, and children ages 5 to 7 can join Clover Kids. One popular Clover Kids project was the sheep shaker, an instrument made from a painted broom handle and a 20-ounce soda bottle filled with small rocks.

“Or even popcorn seeds,” 7-year-old Derek Strawn said as he demonstrated the shaker. Derek and his brother, 8-year-old Jeremy Strawn use the shakers to herd sheep on their farm.

The largest project was a gravity grain trailer welded by Tyler Ray, Josh Carter, Ray Nowlin and James Dixon of the Hallsville Go-Getters 4-H Club. The four worked every Saturday for two months on the trailer, which was over 10 feet tall and will be used by Bourn Feed store after the competition.

“The whole year leads up to the fair,” said Theresa Shettlesworth, president of the 4-H Boone County Senior Council and leader of the Fairview Friends 4-H Club.

“The fair is where 4-H-ers show us what they’ve learned in their projects and what they’ve accomplished.”

Judging is based on the quality of the project as well as how much the member learned. Projects are an integral part of the 4-H experience and its slogan, “learn by doing.” Each member is required to complete at least one project per year.

Shettlesworth said 4-H is a co-ed youth organization and is similar to Boy Scouts or Girls Scouts in that it teaches children to learn new things and gain experiences and life skills.

Moser always enjoys his interactions with the members of what he calls “the best organization for any kid to get into, “They come in here and they’re so enthusiastic,,” Moser said. “These are some of the best kids around. If I had a kid, they’d have to be in 4-H.”

Those interested in joining can call the Boone County Extension Office at 445-9792 or go to the Web site at extension.missouri.edu/boone. The exhibits will be on display throughout the fair in the multipurpose room and there will be people around to answer questions.