Mike Wolanin | The Republic Debbie Heaton and her daughter Abigail use a golf cart while setting up for the Bartholomew County Fair at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, June 20, 2024.
For the leader in charge of 4-H youth development, the 2024 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair promises to be special in many ways.
It’s been 10 years since Elisabeth Smith Eaton, a then-31-year-old Rush County native and former school teacher, was selected to succeed Erika Bonnett as director of the Purdue Extension Cooperative office. Youth development is just one of Eaton’s responsibilities.
This 10-year milestone has found a place in Eaton’s heart. When she first arrived in Columbus, the youngest 4-H club members were preparing to enter third grade. For the next 10 years, Eaton watched as those young kids advanced and matured, developing what the clubs calls the hallmarks of successful adults: responsibility, leadership and integrity.
“This will be the first group of kids I have seen since third grade go through the 10-year program,” Eaton said. “They have much to be proud of, because those kids have stuck with it.”
There are also 39 4-Hers who are 10-year members, which Eaton said is one the largest groups of outgoing members that Bartholomew County has ever had.
Eaton also expressed excitement that the number of 4-H members in Bartholomew County is rebounding after a significant drop during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
“Compared to last year, there are nearly 30 more 4-H members,” Eaton said. “Our livestock numbers are up across the board, with the exception of the goats.”
Although she has much to be grateful for, Eaton said she still has a major concern: the weather.
AccuWeather meteorologists are not just saying hot and humid this weekend. They are warning “temperatures will remain dangerously high” today. As for tonight, there will be “little heat relief, and “an uncomfortable night for sleeping without air conditioners.”
If any person at the fair suffers a heat-related illness, there are two first aid centers situated south of the fair buildings. One is at the sheriff’s tent near the entrance to the midway, while the other is connected to the fire department’s tent, next to the Community Building and David Boll Theater.
Sunday will be a few degrees cooler, but the high humidity means fairgoers still need to exercise caution. Scattered storms are expected in south central Indiana Sunday afternoon.
For the first half of the work week, the weather will be hit-and-miss for fair patrons. Although Monday will bring a high near 90, humidity levels are expected to drop. Unfortunately, the heat cranks back up Tuesday with high humidity and afternoon temperatures in the mid 90s. In this type of weather, fair officials emphasize that showers or storms can pop up without notice.
Wednesday, Thursday or Friday will have cooler temperatures in the low to mid 80s, with strong storms possible on Wednesday.
As he was cleaning out part of the livestock barn, 10-year 4-H member August “Gus” Brockhaus said essentially that he’s not worried about the current heat wave.
“It’s usually really hot during our fair,” the recent Columbus East High School graduate said. “It has been since my mom (Natasha Smith Brockhaus) showed in the 80s and 90s.”
The 18-year-old Brockhaus, who plans to study agricultural systems management at Purdue University this fall, says he believes most livestock exhibitors know how to take care of their animals during this type of weather. If anyone needs help, other 4-H members are willing to give a helping hand, he said.
“We make sure they have water,” Brockhaus said. “For swine, you have to spray them down because they don’t sweat. For goats and sheep, you usually leave a bucket in their pen for water. Some folks bring water for the pigs, but I’m hand-watering my pigs.”
In Brockhaus’ opinion, farm kids who do year-round outdoor chores should be fine in these conditions, Brockhaus said.
Eaton said safety of both the kids and animals is a huge priority for the fair board and extension service.
“Special care needs to be taken by everyone, whether or not they grew up on a farm and are used to the heat,” Eaton said. “We are encouraging everyone to drink lots of water. We’re taking care of our bodies and hydrating well, so we can prevent illnesses or accidents.”
Another precaution was changing the entry times for livestock from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m., while the weigh-in for pigs was moved from 9 a.m. to 6 a.m., the extension office director said.
Two employees who work for Kissel Entertainment in the midway said they are extremely happy for the recent addition of electricity, water and sewage for campers and recreational vehicles, so they can enjoy some degree of comfort during their off-times.
But besides the livestock barn and midway, weather is also a huge factor in determining success or failure for commercial exhibitors.
Shawnna Buening, owner and proprietor of a business she calls “Open and Shut Cases and I’ll Tumbler For You,” sells custom-made tumblers, T-shirts, key chains, cell phone cases and other merchandise.
Buening said she recalled a thunderstorm last year that essentially sent all the fair patrons running to their vehicles. At another time, a power outage shut down all lights and fans in her commercial building. When no estimate could be made on when electricity would be restored, she and most commercial exhibitors called it a night.
Weather-related delays cost Buening more than just sales. Being face-to-face with potential customers has allowed her to get feedback on what type of merchandise is in demand, she said.
