The Hamilton County 4-H Fair returns to Noblesville this week, celebrating its 80th year.
The fair will runs from July 19 to 23. Although the fair showcases the work and more than 4,000 projects of 4-Hers from across the county, organizers will again invite members of the general public to take participate in contests, events and entertainment and enjoy the food.
Admission and parking are free, and most activities are free. The Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds are at 2003 Pleasant St., Noblesville.
Here’s what you can do at the fair if you are not involved in 4-H:
FOOD AND CRAFT SHOW
The Hamilton County Extension Homemakers group is sponsoring an open food and craft show during, open to any Hamilton County resident over 18. Entries will be submitted for closed judging on July 21, and entries will be on display July 21 and 22. Food divisions include breads, cakes, cookies, pies, convenience foods, preservation and homemade candy. Craft divisions include needlecraft, quilt and sewing by hand or machine, creative ideas, painting and drawing, scrapbooking, photography and craftsman. For more, call 317-776-0854. Register at extension.purdue.edu/hamilton or from 8:30 to 10 a.m. July 21 at the fairgrounds. Entry fees are $1 per item.
HOMEMADE ICE CREAM-MAKING CONTEST
At 6:30 p.m. July 21, the annual Homemade Ice Cream-Making Contest will return on the east side of the Show Arena at the fairgrounds. It is open to all Hamilton County residents. Teams of two to four people will have 40 minutes to make their recipe, which will later be judged. Prizes will be awarded in youth and adult categories for electric freezer and hand-crank freezer. Participants using recipes with eggs must use cooked eggs, egg substitutes, powdered eggs or recipes without eggs. Teams must furnish their own supplies and register in the Purdue Extension Hamilton County Office by 10 a.m. July 20. More information and instructions for entering can be found at bit.ly/hamco4hfair.
YOUTH TALENT CONTEST
Junior and senior divisions will make up this year’s youth talent contest. All Hamilton County residents 21 and younger can perform their talent July 23 in Exhibition Center Hall A. The junior division, for kids 12 and younger, begins at 2 p.m., and the senior division, for ages 13-21, will begin at 4:30 p.m. Applications are due to the Purdue Extension office at the fairgrounds by noon July 21. Winners of each category will advance to the youth talent contest at the Indiana State Fair. Visit bit.ly/hamco4hfair for an application.
PET PARADE
A crowd favorite, the Pet Parade will be at 6 p.m. July 22 in the Rabbit Tent, west of the O.V. Winks buildings at the fairgrounds. Participants must be 2 to 8 years old and be accompanied by their pet. All participants will receive a ribbon and awards will be given to the most creative. Anyone interested is to report to the tent by 5:30 p.m. for registration. Proof of current rabies vaccinations must be provided at the time of registration. Immediately following the event, all pets must leave the fairgrounds.
COLOR ME GREEN FUN RUN
The third annual Color Me Green Fun Run will take place at 11:30 a.m. July 23 in front of the commercial tent. The 1-mile run also will serve as a canned food drive, and all donated items will be given to local food pantries. Similar to other color runs, runners will be sprayed with green powder. There will be no timing, winners or prizes. To register, visit bit.ly/hamco4hfair.
4-H JAM
Children ages 5 to 12 who are interested in 4-H can get a hands-on sampling
of the Hamilton County 4-H Program at 4-H Jam, a free event from 9 to 10:30 a.m. July 23. The 4-H Jam will showcase projects related to agriculture, public health, communication and more. Kids will learn about the 4-H pledge, explore animal barns, meet a member of the Queen’s Court, complete a take-home craft and experience the 4-H exhibit judging process and receive a ribbon. The event is free and open to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration deadline is July 19. Register at bit.ly/4hjam.
Other public events include:
- Blood drive, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., July 19 and 20. Donors will receive a voucher for a free milkshake from the dairy tent and a free ticket to the Indiana State Fair
- Robotics demonstrations, noon to 4 p.m., July 19
- Family movie, “Moana,” at 9:15 p.m., July 19
- Concerts, Hunter Smith at 8 p.m., July 20, and Linda Lee at 7 p.m., July 21
- Caravan Classes’ camper crafts, noon to 4 p.m. July 22
For a complete list, visit bit.ly/hamco4hfair.
