CARBONDALE — University Mall is not the place you would expect to find a 4-H general show, but on a more than 100-degree day, the air-conditioning was very welcome.
Saturday was the first time Jackson County 4-H had its annual General Show at Science Center, within the University Mall, which was a change of pace for the event. For example, Perry County 4-H had its general show during the Perry County Fair at the grandstand.
“The good thing about this setup is the general public actually gets to see what the kids do,” Rhonda Shubert, program coordinator for University of Illinois Extension, said.
Michele Bisel, youth development educator for University of Illinois Extension, said the 4-H has partnered with Science Center for the past couple of years for many different events and progress and having the general show there “just makes sense.”
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More than 200 young people are involved with Jackson County 4-H, and more than 100 participated in the general show.
Saturday’s event was preceded by the horse show and small-animal show Friday night, which took place at Jackson County Extension building in Murphysboro.
Throughout the day, more than 200 different project categories were judged; among them were model rockets, robotics, horticulture, visual arts and many others.
Many of the projects will be chosen to move on to competition at Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
Although most people relate 4-H to agriculture, the diversity of projects reflect how 4-H has evolved, said Julie Mumbower, multi-county director for University of Illinois Extension.
“These are all the things kids can do,” Mumbower said.
Molly Carrington, 9, had projects entered in four categories in the general show — forestry, photography, visual arts and outdoor cooking.
Carrington said her favorite project was baking granola cookies for the outdoor cooking category. She won a blue ribbon for her effort.
“This is my first time I’ve done most of it by myself,” Carrington exclaimed proudly.
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