The kid’s day at the Marion County fairground happened on Monday with 850 kids and 1,300 people total in attendance throughout the day.
The kid’s day allowed kids to play different agricultural games, and win different prizes. Kids could receive the opportunity to get free ice cream and a sticker that got them a free hot dog. There were also many tractors kids could sit on to honk the horns. At the Antique Power Days Museum, kids got the chance to grind corn.
The big attraction was the 4h youth kids’ livestock cattle junior show where kids also had the chance to milk a dairy goat. Kara Boozer, the 4H youth development educator with Illinois extension center, noted how big the attractions were.
“I think the animals are the favorite. It’s an opportunity for kids to see something they don’t normally get to see, and touch it. We have some dairy goats the kids can actually milk, so it’s kind of a cool thing. Not something they are used to seeing, so probably the animals are the favorite. The games are a favorite over here today, the tractor honking is a big deal, and free ice cream that tends to win kids over. So they have pretty well liked everything here today.”
The 4H kids put on their rabbit and poultry show Monday night.
Boozer from the Illinois extension center, along with the Marion County fair Board, organized the event.
“It was great. It’s something I’ve had a few years doing. I’ve been with the extension for about 10 years. What makes this event successful is the partnerships. The fair board is super supportive. The farm bureau and Illinois extension, we lead the charge on it, but everyone else fills in the gaps.”
Kay Pugh, Salem lion’s club director, along with other lions club members held a free kids eye screening. The screening allowed anyone ages: 6 months to 99, to come through their screening process for a free eye screening. Pugh describes the process of the eye screening is simple.
“All they have to do is, a parent has to sign the child’s name, age, and whether they are male or female. They test with a camera they have inside and it takes maybe 2-3 minutes, unless the kids squirmy, then it takes longer. So far we have been very happy, we have had 45 and we hope to get another 45 this afternoon.”
The Marion County Fair Queen pageant happened on Monday night.
Haleena Kuenkter, daughter of Lexi Jupiter Myer, milking dairy goat at Kids day
Addy Felgenhaur, daughter of Sierra Felgenhaur, grinding corn at kids day
