New Cashmere 4-H club joins program ahead of Chelan County Fair

CASHMERE — A new Cashmere 4-H club will be among the local groups represented as young people from across Chelan and Douglas counties bring a year’s worth of projects to the Chelan County Fair.

Cashmere Indigo is one of three new Chelan County 4-H clubs formed since last year’s fair. The club has been meeting at the site of a developing Cashmere Community Garden, according to Sarah Fitzgerald, 4-H program coordinator for WSU Extension in Chelan and Douglas counties.

The new club joins a regional 4-H program that currently includes 291 members ages 5 to 18. Of those, 199 are enrolled in 15 Chelan County clubs, while another 92 participate in five Douglas County clubs.

Those 20 clubs are supported by 80 fully certified adult volunteers, along with parents, siblings and other community members. Clubs from both counties participate in the Chelan County Fair.

Fair participation is not required for members, and final numbers for this year will not be available until registration is complete.

“Fair is optional, but for many 4-H youth members it is the culmination of their year’s work and a highlight of their 4-H participation,” Fitzgerald said. “We encourage all members to exhibit at a local fair so that they can become part of the 4-H tradition of youth educating their community about their project area.”

Last year, 117 4-H exhibitors participated in the Chelan County Fair, bringing 127 animal exhibits and 295 still-life exhibits. Members also recorded 518 participations in activities and contests including fitting and showing, groom squad and the Style Show.

The range of activities extends well beyond traditional livestock projects.

Educational demonstrations give members an opportunity to make brief presentations about subjects they have studied through 4-H. Demonstrations are scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday in the 4-H Building.

Other events include livestock and poultry fitting and showing, rabbit judging, the Garden Career Development Event and the Pet Talent & Costume Show, scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13.

The annual 4-H Style Show follows at 3 p.m. on the 4-H Main Stage. Participants showcase garments and outfits they have constructed, altered, upcycled or assembled.

The fair’s livestock program begins Wednesday with the arrival of entries, followed by type and market judging Thursday and fitting and showing Friday. The Fur & Feather Auction begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, followed by the livestock auction at 10 a.m.

For Cashmere Indigo, this year’s fair will mark the club’s first since joining a program whose fair tradition stretches beyond competition to giving young people an opportunity to share what they have learned with their community.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media