By BILLIE STEVENS
OSU Extension Agent
August 29, 2007

This year’s Oregon State Fair claims: “It’s Like a Magical Enchanted Land — Except Real.”

The 2007 Oregon State Fair starts Aug. 24, and you will find all your old favorite activities like animals, concerts and a carnival, but it also has many new offerings.

For example, there is a new sports, health-and-recreation area offering a full fair schedule of sporting events including rock climbing, kayaking, beach volleyball and even bocce ball.

With so many exciting things to see and do at the State Fair it is hard to decide where to start. One spot you may want to put on your list is the 4-H area — and be sure to look for the Hood River County exhibits.

4-H members are selected from the total 4-H program to represent Hood River County at the State Fair. 4-H members work all year on their projects, and the best of the best are selected to represent our county. It is an honor to be selected, plus it provides an opportunity for them to show off to the entire state what they have learned.

At the Oregon State Fair, 4-H exhibits can be found in the 4-H Exhibit Building just off of Silverton Road. There you will find exhibits ranging from art to foods. Older 4-H members that are seventh grade or older are able to actually participate in the contest at the state fair.

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Selected to represent Hood River County in the presentation contest at state fair were Allison Varga and Allison Lee. Selected for team presentations were Ana Calderon and Peter Holmstrom and Jason DeGeus and Chad Mason.

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In the Food Skills Contest, Katie White, Sarah Raulston and Kristen Rutherford were selected for participation at state fair. Qualifying for state fair participation in the horse area were Taylor Norton and Kaesha Hilton. Ana Calderon will be exhibiting in the rabbit and cavy area.

Because of limited space at the state fair, each county is limited to only three exhibits to a class; consequently the county fair judge determines if the item is selected to be sent to the state fair.

Selected to send their fair exhibits in the Original Art area were Kaylee Asai, Lacy Brazille, Ana Calderon, Lydia Driver, Allison Fashing, Chelsea Harbaugh, Allison Lee, Michelle Mershon, Breanna Mohr, Bailey Murahashi, Brandy Riggleman, Clary Russell, Kristen Rutherford, MaKenna Sullenger, Sarah Wagar and Frank Zartler.

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Non-original Art incorporates an item that was made by someone else. Being selected for state fair in this project area were Kaylee Asai, Lacey Brazille, Jamie Bridenbaker, Allison Fashing, Erin Freeborn, Alison Lee, Breanna Mohr, Bailey Murahashi, Stephanie Olson and Clary Russell. Selected in Fiber Arts were Alison Lee and Bailey Murahashi.

Having their photograph exhibits selected were Jamie Bridenbaker, Ana Calderon, Lydia Driver, Allison Fashing, Bailey Freeborn, Chelsea Harbaugh, Peter Holmstrom, Alison Lee, Jestena Mattson, Breanna Mohr, Kristen Rutherford and MaKenna Sullenger.

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Selected to exhibit in Home Environment at State Fair were Jamie Bridenbaker, Clary Russell and Alison Lee. Alison Lee’s leathercraft was selected, while Michelle Mershon had her ceramic exhibit selected. Clothing exhibits selected were Allison Fashing, MaKenna Sullenger and Breanna Mohr.

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Qualifying to exhibit foods were Lydia Driver, Sable Duback, Peter Holmstrom, Daniel Nolin, Jacob Nolin, Alyssa Regentin, Kristen Rutherford and Allison Varga. In the food preservation area, Lydia Driver, Chelsea Harbaugh and Kristen Rutherford all qualified.

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Educational displays selected for state fair were Isaiah Arnold, Maggie Edwards, Austin Elmer, Bradley Elmer, Shelby Flem, Brandi Fletcher, Emily Hansen, Breezy McElheran, Alisha Ortiz, Alison Varga, Cody Walker and Kam Walker.

In total, more than 115 Hood River County 4-H exhibits were selected as State Fair exhibits.