The COVID-19 pandemic may have canceled the 2020 Orleans County 4-H Fair, but members of the Orleans County 4-H program are still sharing their projects with the public.
“Members of the Orleans County community responded generously when we asked about the possibility of placing 4-H projects in local shop windows and libraries,” says Kristina Gabalski, CCE Orleans 4-H Program Coordinator. “Our volunteer Family and Consumer Science Program Development Committee thought it would be wonderful if 4-H youth could display projects they have been working on this year. These projects, including textiles, visual arts, preserved foods, photography, and expressive arts, would typically be displayed in the Trolley Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds during fair week. Program leaders felt the community would enjoy being able to see the projects easily and safely, even though this year’s fair is canceled,” Gabalski explains. The Orleans County 4-H Fair would have run from July 27 through August 1 this year.
The projects are not being evaluated this year. They can be saved by youth to show again next year for evaluation and potential showing at the 2021 New York State Fair. “We also offered youth the option of sharing a photo of their project, which works well for horticulture and baked goods entries. Additionally, animal science youth were encouraged to share photos of themselves with their animals,” Gabalski says.
Orleans County 4-H youth provided dozens of entries for the “Showcase of Trolley Building Projects,” Gabalski says. “It has been wonderful to see that youth are remaining active and engaged in their 4-H project work,” she observes. “The community’s support of the showcase has also been remarkable. Orleans County is a very special place, and the 4-H Program is so grateful for the enthusiastic response. We could not have done this without the help of local libraries and business owners.”
According to Gabalski, projects will be on display around Orleans County through August 14. “It’s almost a kind of ‘tour’ of projects,” she says. “All the libraries are participating, but I will be moving projects on a weekly basis so they can be shown in more than one place.” The libraries include the Community Free Library in Holley, the Hoag Library in Albion, the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, and the Yates Community Library in Lyndonville. Local businesses that are participating include Heritage Wind, Dance Reflections, and Snell Realtors in Albion, and Blissett’s Specialty Shop and Dance Theater in Medina. Dance Theater will feature projects in their windows the week of August 10, Gabalski says.
4-H youth who participate in the “Showcase” will receive a special one-time Historic 2020 Orleans County 4-H Fair Participant ribbon. “They are teal-colored with gold lettering with the theme ‘Together even when we’re apart’ printed on the base,” Gabalski says. “They will be a special keepsake of this unusual year.”
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