COLUMBUS, Ind. — For the first time, a rock music extravaganza will kick off the annual Bartholomew County 4-H Fair, which begins its nine-day run Friday, June 23 and runs through Saturday, July 1.
Well-known for earlier performances in Columbus, the Woomblies Rock Orchestra features 11-musicians that include a four-piece string section and two horns. Their 7 p.m. concert at the grandstand will range from Motown hits to classic rock. Individual tickets for adults are $5, but children 12 and younger will be admitted free.
While fair attendance is returning to normal, membership in the 4-H clubs has not yet fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2017 and 2018, local club membership ranged from 810 to 840 members, according to 4-H Youth Development Director Elisabeth Eaton.
But as a result of the 2020 pandemic, that number dropped to 593 in 2021 before rising to 624 last year. While there are 611 members today, Eaton said that number seems low because of an exceptionally high number of teens who completed their 10th and final year in 2022.
Many of the current young people who show livestock, horses and poultry will have multiple entries, fair board president Rick Trimpe said. But he is also urging fair patrons to check out the non-agricultural exhibits that range from technology to arts and crafts. Many can be found within the REMC Family Arts building.
Returning to the midway for the second consecutive year will be Kissel Entertainment. With offices in Okeana, Ohio and Clanton, Alabama, Kissel is promising to bring additional rides not previously seen in Bartholomew County, Trimpe said. The fair board was sufficiently impressed by Kissel’s 2022 midway, Trimpe said.
For the complete story, see Saturday’s Republic.
