In 2020 the Alexandria Fair & Horse Show was cancelled.  Not since the Civil War had this happened.  The COVID Pandemic caused shut downs and caused many changes in everyone’s life.  However, in 2021 the fair returned for the 164^th year!  They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder and when the fair was not held everyone missed it and realized how important this event is to our community.   The Campbell County Agricultural Society is the driving force behind the fair.  The board of directors and the associate members work hard every year to provide great horse and livestock shows, pageants and entertainment for the surrounding tri state area.  They are great supporters of both 4-H and FFA youth.  4-H members have a chance to enter and display their projects that they have worked hard on over the past year.  Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive youth development in four guiding concepts: mastery, belong, independence and generosity.  The fair 4-H events demonstrate a 4-Her’s level of mastery in project work.  By exhibiting their projects members can gain a sense of accomplishment and pride, see how their work compares to others and learn to set goals for what they want to accomplish the next year to make the best better.  

 The Alexandria Fair & Horse Show has historically been a Labor Day tradition.  The 2021 fair was held September 1^st – September 6^th.  Attendance for the six days is estimated to have been around 17,630.  This is up from 2019 when attendance was 15,700.  The total number of entries for 2021 is still being calculated and is expected to be slightly fewer than 2019 when we had the following:

                -Livestock entries 542

                -Horse entries 557

                -Floral Hall Entries 1,645

 What was the impact or outcome which resulted from this support?   What difference has this support made in the lives of 4-H members and volunteers?

 *The fair exhibits and activities help create a public awareness of 4-H and the Cooperative Extension Service.

*The fair events demonstrate each 4-Her’s level of mastery in project work.

*4-H members and adults gain a sense of community pride by participating in the fair parade and other activities.

*4-H members and volunteers learn and practice leadership skills by working the different shows and competitions and volunteering at the 4-H Council Drink Booth.

*Furthermore, in 2021:

-4-H prize money awarded totaled $2961.00

-4-H ribbons and trophies awarded totaled $1975.00

-4-H/FFA Livestock Sale totaled $43,568.87

-4-H Council drink booth fundraiser totaled $2200.00

 This agent represents the Cooperative Extension Service at fairboard meetings and is an associate member on the fairboard.  In 2021, I served as the livestock committee chairman for all of the livestock shows and also worked with the entering and judging of exhibits in the Floral Hall.