By Beacon Staff
The Des Moines County Fair is still a go for late July, but it won't have the official participation of the local 4-H.
However, that doesn’t mean 4-H students are barred from participating in the fair. They just won’t do so with 4-H status. The official 4-H livestock shows will be replaced with a youth livestock exhibitor fair.
Any student in fourth to 12th grade, whether they be new to the fair or a previous exhibitor, can compete in the livestock show. Also, first through third graders who present beginner bucket bottle calves can participate.
Since the Iowa State Fair already has been canceled, there was no official avenue for 4-H students to advance beyond the county fair. A decision on static displays at the Des Moines County Fair is still pending.
The Des Moines County Extension Council, which heads up Des Moines County 4-H, made the announcement Monday morning (June 22). A press release from the agency cited “social distancing guidelines, legal considerations and additional precautions taking place to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”
“The Des Moines County Fair Board supports the decision made by the Des Moines County Extension Council to withdraw 4-H from this year’s fair and we are moving forward to provide the best experience possible for participating youth,” Travis Holsteen, president of the Des Moines County Fair board, said in the statement.
According to the news release, Des Moines County 4-H is home to 320 members in fourth through 12th grades and 78 Clover Kids in grades kindergarten through third grade. Each year, more than 300 4-H students compete at the Des Moines County Fair. A smaller contingent of FFA students compete at the fair as well, and some students are in both organizations.
This year’s DMC Fair will be from July 27 to Aug. 1 at the Des Moines County Fairgrounds, located at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington.