August 2025 4-H Newsletter
News
San Juan County 4‑H Teens Gain Firsthand Legislative Experience at 2026 Know Your Government Conference
2026 Know Your Government Conference – San Juan County 4‑H Impact Report
Upcoming Events
Important Dates
August 10 – Pre-Entry Day
August 13 – Entry Day
9:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Animal vet checks and entry day
August 13 – Final Weigh In
August 14 – 17
August 16
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Live Auction
More info for both can be found at the Auction Page
August 17
4:00 p.m. – 4-H Awards Ceremony
4-H in the Friday Harbor 4th of July Parade!
What a fantastic showing for 4-H at the annual Friday Harbor 4th of July parade! Members of the San Juan Livestock, Country Critters, and Rising Star Bakers 4-H Clubs proudly walked, spreading green and white cheer amidst the floods of red, white, and blue.
A huge thank you goes out to the Fredy sisters for bringing their goats and Mackenzie Brown for bringing her dog, adding extra charm to our contingent. We loved hearing all the clapping and cheering for 4-H as we passed out over 540 4-H stickered fruit snacks, 500 4-H stickered candies, and 1,500 green Tootsie Rolls to enthusiastic spectators.
We’re already looking forward to an even bigger and better presence in the 2026 4th of July Parade!
Upcoming Pre-Fair Work Parties
4-H Arena Work Party
The Fair Staff has generously agreed to help us on Wednesday, August 6th. We’ll start at 9:00 a.m. and work until about noon. We need help with the following tasks:
- Raising the 4-H Arena tent to its full height.
- Setting up the 4-H Arena fence and holding pens.
- Setting up the sheep, cattle, and swine stalls.
Even if your family doesn’t have livestock, the entire 4-H community uses the arena during the fair. This is a great opportunity to connect with other families and get a head start on the fair preparations!
Country Critters Club Work Party
The Country Critters Club will be setting up the Poultry, Rabbit, and Cavy tent on Sunday, August 10th, from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Anyone who would like to lend a hand is welcome to join!
Eagle Scout Project: Poultry Barn Tables
Harrison Edge and a team of scouts from Anacortes are doing an Eagle Scout Project this Saturday, August 2nd. They will be building five tables for the poultry barn at the fairgrounds. We will simply be assembling and painting them. The scouts will arrive on the 9:00 a.m. ferry from Anacortes and will leave on the 1:55 p.m. ferry. All supplies will be ready to go, just be sure to wear clothing appropriate for painting.
Sunday of Fair is Full of Fun 4-H Activities
We have tried to fill Sunday, August 17th – the last day of fair with fun activities for our 4-H youth and families that don’t require pre-registration via Fair Entry!
- Costume Contest – Sign Up in the Marie Boe Building during Fair – Takes place at Noon in the 4-H Arena
- Dress your project up in a fun costume, you are welcome to dress up to match as well
- Quiz Bowl – Sign your team up in the Marie Boe Building during Fair – Takes place from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the 4-H Arena
- Recruit three other team members and test your knowledge against other teams
- Open to youth and adult teams (don’t have to be in 4-H to participate)
- 4-H Member Appreciation and Games – 2:00 p.m. in the 4-H Arena
- Join us for a casual hour of fun and appreciation to wrap up the Fair. Will have some cool treats and lots of fun!
- Share your experiences with fellow 4-Hers and community members!
- Annual Awards Ceremony at 4:00 in the 4-H Arena
Full Fair Schedule
Pre-Fair
Sunday, August 10
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – All Photography & Educational Posters are due – Must be tagged & dropped off at the Marie Boe 4-H Building
Monday, August 11
9:00 a.m. – Deadline for still life posters, photography, and written word at Extension Office
Wednesday, August 13
8:00 a.m. – Horse vet check in Main Arena, timed for first ferry arrivals
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Animal vet check
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Still life intake
3:00 p.m. – Livestock weigh in
4:00 p.m. – Livestock judging contest
4:00 p.m. – 4-H Horse Judging Contest
5:00 p.m. – 4-H & Open Class horse orientation & back penny distribution
6:00 p.m. – Still life evaluation begins
Fair Days August 14 – 17
Official fairground hours 10:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
4-H Rambler’s Booth Breakfast 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Herdsmanship/Exhibitorship Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for all 4-H barns and departments
Thursday, August 14 – Opening Day
9:00 a.m. – Horse Events Start
10:00 a.m. – Cat Vet Check
10:00 a.m. – Sheep & Goat – Showmanship & Type
10:30 a.m. – Cat Showmanship
2:00 p.m. – Rabbit & Cavy Showmanship
3:00 p.m. – 4-H Demonstrations
6:00 p.m. – Horse Games
Friday, August 15
8:00 a.m. – Dog Vet Check
9:00 a.m. – Horse Events Start
10:00 a.m. – Cattle & Swine – Showmanship & Type
10:00 a.m. – Dog Events Start
1:00 p.m. – Poultry Showmanship
3:00 p.m. – Large Animal Round Robin
6:00 p.m. – Horse Games
Saturday, August 16
9:00 a.m. – Horse Events Start
9:00 a.m. – Dog Vet Check
10:00 a.m. – Dog Events Start
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Still Life Judging Contest
11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Still Life Auction
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Live Auction Registration
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Live Auction
6:00 p.m. – Horse Games
Sunday, August 17
10:00 – 12:00 p.m. – Small Animal Round Robin
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. – Costume Contest
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Quiz Bowl
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – 4-H Member Appreciation & Games
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Performing Arts
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
6:00 p.m. – Stow 4-H Arena Tent
8:00 p.m. – 4-H Exhibits Released
Monday, August 18
7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Marie Boe 4-H building will be open for exhibit pickup. Clean animal stalls and help take down the 4-H arena tent & grand stands. Thank you for a great year!
Opportunity with Friday Harbor Food Bank
Rachelle, Friday Harbor Food Bank Manager, reached out to share that there are two gleaning opportunities with the Food Bank. They have blueberries and cherries that need picking. You can either pick and use for your own consumption or there is the opportunity to provide a service to the food bank by picking and providing fruit to the food bank. Please contact Clinton for more information.
Teen Event Planners Wanted
The Adolescent Leadership Committee is looking for teens to help plan and lead the 2025 4-H Westside Rally. By being a teen leader in 4-H you have skills that would be valuable in this process. The current time commitment is a few zoom planning meetings in September and October and being at the Rally as a teen leader and/or a workshop presenter in late October or early to mid November. The event details are far from finalized so if you are interested in helping, you can steer the direction of the rally and make an amazing experience for Teens from across the Westside of Washington! Contact Clinton for more information or I’m happy to talk more during the Fair!
