Fundraisers are delicious and plentiful at the Johnson County 4-H and Agricultural Fair.
The beloved Gateway Services lemonade shake up stand was sorely missed during the pandemic, when the group took a two-year hiatus from the fair. But it is back again for its 50th year.
Each year, people look forward to the lemonade and giving back with each sip, as all proceeds help the nonprofit serve and provide programming for people with physical and mental disabilities.
Becky Allen, transportation director for Gateway Services, said lemonade shake-ups have so much history at the county fair and they don’t plan to go anywhere in the future.
“They know where we are located and people know that the proceeds are going for a good cause to help those that need it,” Allen said.
Gateway Services will have about 200 volunteers to help serve lemonade shakes up at the fair this year.
“It’s a great time for friends and groups of people getting together and helping serve the community, we will have volunteers that will come out year after year to help,” Allen said.
Another cherished tradition — Farm Bureau milkshakes — creates lessons and provide opportunities for the younger generation. The Farm Bureau has served milkshakes from same building since 1976.
Johnson County Farm Bureau uses milkshake sales to fund the Young Farmers Program. David Harrell, county president for the Farm Bureau, said the milkshakes help future farmers ages of 18-30 learn about farm life, how to become a leader and connect with other young farmers across the state.
Paul Cote, president of Franklin Lions Club, is ready to sell corn at the Roast Johnson County Corn stand. The fair fundraiser helps the organization collect money that will fund local and state projects.
“We sometimes use the money toward setting up hearing aids for those that are unable to hear, who might not have the funds to purchase them. We’ve also set up to train leader dogs that will help those who are blind,” Cote said.
Lions Club members hope to see many fairgoers at the stand this year and meet the organization’s $2,000 fundraising goal, Cote said.
“I enjoy meeting the people who we serve and our motto is ‘we serve’ and when we go out to do the corn roast or fish fry and help out, it’s really fun to meet some of the folks that we get to serve,” Cote said. “We get to see them a lot and get to see the people in the community a lot.”
Several Future Farmers of America (FFA) groups from local high schools hold fundraisers at the fair to raise money for trips and conventions.
This year Franklin FFA is selling locally grown kebobs with chips and drinks. All the ingredients used for the kebob came from the Franklin Community High School farm, including locally grown vegetables and locally raised meat, said Alicia Geesey, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor. This is the first year the club can offer all locally grown ingredients for their kebobs.
“It helps the kids to see the whole cycle from the beginning to raising animals, then taking them to the market … (It) gives you a deep appreciation for providing food when knowing all it takes to have locally grown produce,” Geesey said.
Franklin FFA has a goal to raise $5,000 to help members attend conventions and trips to grow their knowledge of farming, Geesey said.
The Johnson County Extension Homemakers will have their 19th annual “Pillow of Hope” drive to help create pillows and pillow cases that will be donated to victims of domestic violence. Volunteers like Cathy Cook, past county president of the extension homemakers, say the fundraising at the fair is both a necessity and a joy.
“We have a mission statement that says ‘to strengthen families through: continuing education, leadership development, and volunteer community support,’” Cook said. “The volunteer community support is what makes me come back year after year.”
