The 4-H program would not be possible without many wonderful volunteers. Our sincerest thanks to each and every one of you who help us make it happen! Special thanks to the following:

• To the more than 50-plus people who came to fair set-up on July 12 and made short work of a large project. The task took about three hours and the building looked great afterwards!
• To the superintendents and junior superintendents in the 4-H building who helped check‑in projects, organized the building, and checked‑out projects. Their help during judging was also invaluable.
• To the superintendents and junior superintendents in the animal barns who did a wonderful job of getting their barns organized and ready for show.
• To the volunteers who helped on July 13 with the exhibit tag and fair pass distribution … this is a hot job but they do it with smiles on their faces.
• To the volunteers who helped in the 4-H information booth. Also, a special thanks to the 4‑H clubs who prepared and presented action displays for fair visitors in the industrial building –The Challengers 4-H Club and Bucket of Bolts Robotics Group.
• To the youth and adults who helped in the ice cream stand. A special thanks to Anne Carson for organizing this effort! She is truly a wonderful volunteer.
• To the Blue Ribbon Sale Committee for their efforts in making the livestock auction a success. And, to the buyers who support the sale!
• To all of our wonderful trophy donors who help us recognize outstanding project work.
• To the parents who support their children and bring them for the many activities happening prior to and throughout fair week; and, of course, the youth who completed their projects for display.

And, finally, to the 4-H Fair Committee – they work hard to help make this event happen. Committee members are: Elizabeth Bretscher, Layci Gragnani, Dave Klussendorf, Nick Hankes, Ben Hankes, Rosemarie Krause, Ed Krause, Bob Keck, Jerry Monkemeyer, Bev Popp, and Brad Kreigel.

A very large thank you goes out to all of those who helped stack gates, clean pens, and barns and move skids out of the barns. You did an excellent job. This was by far the best clean-up and stacking done in recent years.

The grounds crew was glad to see the rabbit barn cleaned and swept out. You folks always do a great job. Poultry barn looked great too with all the cages, platforms and stands waiting outside and piles of shavings inside. Well done.

Horse pens and surrounding area looked exceptional again. Everything was so nice and tidy. You folks take pride in your work, we can tell. The skids in the swine area were stacked the best that they have ever been, and we know as we have had to restack some over the years, sometimes because we have spilled the loads.

But this year's special mention goes to the sheep people as they did a great job knocking down the pens and stacking the gates in both barns without begging to get out of doing the open barn or complaining about it. We were very surprised to see the open barn done as we drove up. You put big smiles on our faces.

Because of your cooperation, appreciative smiling faces and "thank you," the fair crew is more willing to help the exhibitors get ready and set up for the 2010 fair – just think it is less than a year away.

No one enjoys the clean up on Sunday night, but the effort by all makes the job easier. At one time, 4-H families set up and tore down all the pens for the species of animals. With fewer 4-H exhibitors the fair understands that they may need to provide some help alongside you.

Again, thank you so much for making our job on the Monday after the fair more bearable.

Signed,

Kane County Fairgrounds Crew

4-H premium checks were mailed from the Extension Office on August 28. If you haven't received yours, contact us immediately. Be sure to cash your check ASAP – they are void after 60 days.

Each year, animal barns are judged on a daily basis to determine the clean barn awards. Judging is based on neatness of the barn, club identification, exhibitor/volunteer conduct, decorations, and species marketing. This year's judge wrote a story to go along with announcing the winners. It is as follows:

This year's fair may go down in history as Classic. As far as 4-H is concerned the results are in and everything is Academyc. What a tough year to judge these barns. The judges thought that a lot of clubs were a bunch of Go Getters and did A Bit More to showcase their clubs and Ag. No matter how you got to the fair, through the Sugar Groves, West dells, or on a Saddle and Spur, your efforts were Fantastic. The barn and animals showed well. You looked and acted like Wranglers, Cowhands, and Jr. Farmers. Because of that we did not have to call in the security or the Rangers. Help keep a soft spot in this old Moose's heart for 4-H by keeping up the good work, encouraging and leading others down the Highway to 4-H, so they can benefit like you have done. Hope I got all clubs mentioned that had animal exhibits at the fair – didn't mean to omit anyone.

This year's clean barn winners are:

BEEF, Lincoln Highway

DAIRY, Burlington Ag

GOATS, Lincoln Highway

POULTRY, Burlington Ag

RABBITS, A Bit More & Hampshire Jr. Farmers

SHEEP, Lincoln Highway

SWINE, Central Wranglers

HORSE/PONY, Central Wranglers

OVERALL, Central Wranglers (Horse/Pony)

This fall, we will award the winning clubs with a certificate. Additionally, the Clean Barn Award Plaques (with winners listed) are placed in the Extension/4-H Office for year round display.

Curious about county and state fair results? Check out the "Results" section of the Kane County 4-H Fairbook online at www.extension.uiuc.edu On the main program page, scroll down to quick links and look for the Kane County 4-H Fairbook link.

Next year's fair has been scheduled – the dates are July 14-18, 2010, at the fairgrounds in St. Charles. The majority of non-livestock projects will be judged July 12 and livestock projects will check-in on July 13.

As far as pre-fair activities, the dates are as follows:

• June 23, Dog Show
• July 6, Small Pets & Cat Shows

Mark your calendars and save the dates now!