For thousands and thousands of Johnson County kids, fair week has served as the pinnacle of the summer.
They demonstrate the skills they worked all year long on during animal shows and special projects. They win ribbons and awards, spend hours at a time in the livestock barns and take in the sights, sounds and tastes all week long.
The Johnson County Fair is always a special event. This year, it’s getting an added boost.
Johnson County 4-Hers are gearing up to celebrate their 100th year of promoting agriculture, building leadership skills and having fun. The youth organization was founded in 1924, and starting with this year’s county fair, has planned a variety of special activities and program to recognize the anniversary.
From one-of-a-kind candles to a special JoCo 100 Club, organizers hope the excitement of a century of 4-H resonates throughout the community.
“Johnson County has a really rich history with 4-H — a lot of devoted families who give back their time. Just to see all of the history, and seeing the memories of how 4-H helped their lives,” said Heather Dougherty, county 4-H youth development extension educator. “It’s special to see how every year, how much 4-H means to people.”
As one of the largest youth organizations in Johnson County, 4-H serves more than 1,200 kids every year. The group is active all over the county, and with the inclusion of Mini 4-H, reaches everyone from kindergartners to 12th graders.
With the 100-year milestone approaching, 4-H leaders wanted to find unique ways to commemorate it.
“We put together a special celebration committee made up of 4-H volunteers that have different roles in the program, as well as some 4-H members, to get their input,” Dougherty said. “We met a few times to start planning.”
The 4-H program year starts in October, which means the 100th anniversary year will last from the fall through the 2024 county fair. Some activities get going this week.
The most prominent is the creation of the JoCo 100 Club. Open to all current 4-H families, 4-H alumni, businesses, supporters, volunteers or simply anyone who loves 4-H, the club offers people the chance to further support future young people in 4-H.
A donation of $100 enters people into the club, and their names will be permanently displayed on the fairgrounds. They’ll receive a commemorative pin in 2024 as part of the group, and will be invited to a special centennial celebration during the 2024 fair.
“Anybody can donate, and that money goes to the 4-H program specifically for the events surrounding the 100th anniversary,” Dougherty said.
One of those events is a centennial block party, which will take place at the fairgrounds in the fall with food trucks, live music, bounce houses and more.
Historical events centered on 4-H over the years are planned for this winter, while during the 2024 fair, organizers will open a time capsule that had been buried in the fairgrounds’ Centennial Park. A new time capsule will replace the old one.
Though plans are still fluid, the centennial committee is also hoping to install a monument to honor Max Fitzpatrick, a longtime 4-H volunteer, and other JoCo 100 Club members.
“We have a lot of ideas, but we need money to do it. That’s where the 100 Club comes in,” Dougherty said.
Other fundraising ideas start during this year’s fair. 4-H is taking part in the “Fight the Hunger, Stock the Trailer” competition, where county fairs all over the state will attempt to collect the most non-perishable food to feed the needy. The counties collecting the most food win cash prizes, and if Johnson County wins, they pledge to donate that money to the centennial fund, Dougherty said.
Organizers have also worked with Middle David’s Artisan Candles for a commemorative 100-year candle, and those candles will be available to purchase in the fairgrounds’ new marketplace area, Dougherty said.
“We have a lot of stuff going on,” she said.
AT A GLANCE
JoCo 100 Club
What: A fundraising effort by Johnson County 4-H to recognize 100 years of 4-H in the county. All donations will stay in the county and be used at the local level.
Cost: $100
What do you get: Donors will have their names permanently displayed on the fairgrounds, and donors will be asked to join in a special celebration commemorating the centennial. Members also receive a special 100 Club lapel pin.
How to donate: Donations can be accepted at the Purdue Extension Johnson County office, or mailed to the office at 484 N. Morton St., Franklin, IN 46131. In memo line of checks, put “The JoCo 100 Club.”
