The Russell Co. 4-H agent collaborated with the Russell Co. Jaycees to conduct youth programs and the Floral Hall exhibits for the 2020 COVID19 edition of the Russell County Fair.  To ensure the fair was able to provide an avenue for residents to showcase their projects and to allow for youth livestock shows to continue, a three-day fair was held in late July.  The 4-H agent was contacted by the fair manager in late June to begin working on providing these opportunities to youth and adults in Russell County.  The extension agents reduced the number of existing fair categories and provided publicity for the Floral Hall to be held under existing restrictions in place by the Health Department and Governor’s Office.  The extension service recruited judges for the event and conducted the final display of the Floral Hall for the residents of Russell County to view on the final two evenings of the county fair.

Thirty-three residents exhibited approximately 250 items in the Floral Hall.  The 4-H divisions were the only exhibitors that received premium money.  Seventeen youth received a total of $1219.  Additionally, livestock exhibitors received a total of $1000.  Some of the youth indicated that they planned to reinvest the money into their projects while other youth said they would purchase items for school. One youth indicated that he would put it in his savings account.  Most of this premium money will be invested into the local economy.

One of the youth that entered several of the photography categories indicated that her love of this form of artistic expression began because of the photography lessons that she had in 4-H.  She is now offering her services for free to build a portfolio to begin a photography business.  The Russell County Fair gives youth an important opportunity to exhibit their project work to the community and allows another avenue of creative expression.  

Since the Kentucky State Fair Cloverville was cancelled, the State 4-H Office provided an opportunity for youth to showcase their projects from the local fair.  Ten youth submitted photographs of their projects to be highlighted in a slide show during the events at the 2020 KY State Fair.