Submitted by Wendy Waxman Kern.

Once more, 4-H youth and volunteer leaders demonstrated resilience and dedication while planning and carrying out their hybrid fair and auction events this August. With the need for COVID-19 safe judging, all still life (non-animal) submissions and judging took place online, as did the dog, cat, and horse classes. Those competing in goat, swine, sheep, beef, dairy, cavy, rabbit, and poultry chose between participating in live or virtual competitions. Twenty-four 4-H members participated in showmanship events at the fairgrounds in a two-day event leading up to the annual livestock auction. A total of 37 youth from Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island produced 412 projects to be judged at this year’s fair, topping last year’s 379 entries!

Particularly rewarding for the participating 4-H youth was the virtual still life auction, in which they sold their qualifying crafts, artwork, and baked goods to an eager collection of buyers. The much-anticipated Livestock Auction took place on Saturday and included eggs, one hog, pullet production trios, market broiler poultry, lamb, alternative beef, and goat. For those unable to attend the live event, the 4-H Livestock Market Animal Auction Committee arranged proxy bidding.

On Sunday, Sept. 19, 4-H’ers gathered once more via Zoom to celebrate their Fair awards. Highlights include: Overall High Point Winner Moose K. from Orcas Fur and Feathers Club; Danielle A. from Lopez Island Club for the most virtual entries, with 51 projects submitted; Amelia E. received the Harald Kjargaard Memorial Award, honoring “the most outstanding 4-H member”; and Danielle A. was awarded this year’s San Juan County 4-H Leaders Council Leadership Award for exemplifying the 4-H motto “to make the best better”. In addition, Betty B. of Lopez Island received the overall livestock high point as well as the high point in food departments. Hailey K. won high points in crafts and fine arts as well as photography. An impressive six members qualified for horse events at the Washington 4-H State Fair: Dylan R., Erin L., Hailey K., Anna F., Danielle A., and Audrey R.

Visit our website to view a complete list of awards and a slideshow with photos, videos, and ribbons of exhibits: https://extension.wsu.edu/sanjuan/4-h-and-the-san-juan-county-fair-and-auctions/

San Juan County 4-H and WSU Extension extend their gratitude to all 4-H volunteers, parents, committees, the San Juan County Fairgrounds and Fair Board, and members of the public who helped make this year’s Hybrid Fair a success!

For more information about joining, volunteering with, and supporting the 4-H program, please email wendy.waxman@wsu.edu or call 360-317-3303.