Club leaders have received 4-H Fair Registration Forms and a minimum of 1 copy of the 4-H Fair Book. As a cost cutting measure the 4-H Fair Book was printed in the Extension Office this year. There is not one for every family. Some clubs voted to pay to have copies made so that each family would have a copy. The entire 4-H Fair Book is on the county website - kankakee.extension.uiuc.edu. You may download and print it.

The 4-H Fair Book and the Extension website contain all of the information about your projects and times for showing.

The 2009 fair theme, "Renew the Tradition" may be used for 4-H club fair displays and October 4-H Window Display. Please refer to page 40 in the Fair Book for space requirements. Please let Joyce know in writing if your club will not have a display. If you need more exhibit space, please request this in writing by July 1.

Two scholarships, funded by proceeds from the auction of the wood sculptures, will be awarded to one young lady and one young man.

Applications must be submitted to the Kankakee County Fair & Exposition by July 17. For more information contact the Fair Office at 815-932-6714.

Season passes will be supplied by the Fairboard to 4-H'ers that have a project being judged the 5 days of the fair at the fairgrounds, and no Junior or Open entry posted.

Ford County Fair – July 5-11

Iroquois County Fair – July 15-20

Grundy County 4-H Fair – July 25-27

Will County Fair – August 26-30

Assistance is needed for set-up in the Creative Arts Building. Dates are to be determined. Adults, as well as 4-H'ers, may assist with this task. Call the Extension office if you are able to assist.

All 4-H projects will be released at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 2. Non-livestock projects may be removed from Creative Arts Building after 7:30 p.m. Sunday, August 2 or Monday, August 3 from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Two adults, preferably leaders, may begin taking down club displays at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 2. Doors to the Creative Arts Building will be closed at 6:30 p.m. to prepare for projects release. Doors will re-open at 7:30 p.m. Make sure you have plans for pick-up. Extension and Fairboard will not be responsible for items not removed by 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 3.

Youth and adults who enjoy gardening are needed to design and plant small flower gardens at the entrances to the Kankakee County Fairgrounds. All materials will be provided. Let us know when you are available and the supplies will be ready for you.

Kankakee County Fairgrounds is getting greener. This summer, rain barrels are being added to the barns and buildings. Show your 4-H spirit and paint a rain barrel to show how 4-H supports living green.

The Bourbonnais Friendship Festival Parade is coming and this is a great opportunity to show your 4-H spirit. March in the parade and let the community know that 4-H is alive and well. The Fairboard would appreciate any groups marching in the parade or attending the festivities to pass out flyers advertising the fair.

Wii is really popular and 4-H would like to have some fun sponsoring a Wii contest on Friday night during the fair. The contest will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. We are looking for volunteers to man the booth and one or two families who would be willing to let us use their game system that evening. Some prizes have been donated, so join the fun and show your Wii talents.

Let Donna know which opportunities appeal to you. E-mail her at dnuger@illinois.edu.

The 4-H Office at the Kankakee County Fairgrounds will be in the 4-H Forum, adjoining the 4-H Foodstand. Extension Office staff will be entering data into the computer, answering the telephone, putting together show boxes, and assisting 4-H members and parents. If you have a concern that requires additional attention from the County Extension Director, it will be relayed as soon a possible. Please remember that the 4-H Forum is not a message center. We cannot relay messages to 4-H'ers or leaders.