Over the past 6 years, Campbell County Cooperative Extension, has hosted their annual family friendly event:  Community Celebration to help market and increase awareness to local residents and the surrounding communities about The Cooperative Extension Service. Across Kentucky, Extension continues to be the “best kept secret”. In effort to build awareness about Extension and the research based information for communities, Campbell County Extension for the first time in two years, post COVID, held the event in person at the Campbell County’s main office in Highland Heights. On Saturday, September 10, 2022, over 550 people attended the event, which is almost tripled from attendance in the past. The sunny fall like weather was a huge factor for our success, but community support and program marketing helped the overall success for the event. 

Free books provided by the Campbell County library was a new and exciting program for all age groups to take advantage of. The library rolled up to the event in their mobile bus where participants were welcomed to walk in their mobile library and choose a free book. Bee keepers were busy educating folks about honey making and the importance of our pollinator friends. Drone education was provided by the Campbell County Police Department. Local chainsaw artist, Chris Rust displayed his final work of  an 8’ tall “Mother Nature” which is featured in the Campbell County Educational gardens and also did a live demonstration of the 4’ bald eagle “Sam”, which is displayed in the confirm bed in the educational gardens. As participants were engaged in extension programs, the Northern Kentucky Dulcimers, played music where many young children recognized the tunes and danced in the gardens.

In addition to these great programs from local collaborators, Extension agents, program assistants, staff and volunteers also showcased programs and resources for everyone. Horticulture provided resources on sustainable gardening, showcased an insect discovery display and highlighted the importance of insects in our gardens; even spiders! Master gardeners were available to answer all gardening questions and shared unused gardening books and other gardening resources. 4-H offered many youth programs including nature crafts, paper flower craft, and engaging games to excite the youth. Yoga instruction by Kate Thompson with help from Agriculture Agent, Michelle Simon, and YoGoat Cincinnati, attracted over 150 participants who learned a few new yoga poses all while having their furry goat friends assist them while climbing on their backs. Agriculture agent, Michelle Simon, also shared a Spice Bar and beef recipes to spark a new flavor in families beef cooking with over 175 participants. Cook Wild recipes were also given out to participants, none of the participants knew about this program prior to the Community Celebration. There were 150 new followers on Campbell County’s social media sites and additions to the newsletter recipient list as a result of the Goat Yoga and Spice Bar. 

As of result of this weekend program, Family Consumer Science Agent, Kate Thompson shared that the Homemakers engaged 12 new volunteers and raised over $280 for their scholarship fund. Environmental Agent, DJ Scully, engaged 181 residents with his compost bin program. 54% of the survey respondents, shared that this was their first time at an Extension. As a result, 56% plan to register and attend an Extension program. 

Survey respondents shared a few horticulture ideas of programs that would interest them and or their families, such as: small space gardening, permaculture, and sustainable gardening programs that the horticulture department will incorporate in future program planning. As a result of these responds, Campbell County Agent, Sarah Imbus will utilize this information in the Four Year Program Plan planning. 

Each year Campbell County Cooperative Extension will continue to host this annual event and continue to partner with local agencies to increase awareness about research based information to residents.