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he 2021 Pawnee County Fair took place July 21-25. Usually held on the last weekend of July, the fair helps to showcase the accomplishments of people from all the communities in the county. It’s a chance for everyone from youth to seniors to put their best foot forward and demonstrate a year’s worth of learning in the areas of raising and handling pets and livestock, agricultural and marksmanship skills, and hobbies and crafts including photography, needlework, painting, sculpting, woodworking and more. There was also a ranch rodeo, pedal tractor pull and a peach pie eating contest. While historically the roots of the 4-H program are deep in the world of agriculture, the modern era has seen the variety of projects expand to include many designed to appeal to kids growing up in rural and urban
environments. Livestock shows still drive the action, but many of today’s kids are just as apt to display the results of their tech skills as their ability to lead a sheep, pig or cow around the ring. Visitors to the fair can take in all types of displays throughout the days-long event. This was a full-fledged fair this year. Pawnee County was fortunate last year because its fair occurred later in the season. Kansas State University Extension Service, which oversees the state’s 4-H program, halted in-person activities in 2020 as a precaution due to COVID-19, resuming them in early July. As a result, Pawnee County 4-Hers were able to take part in some live activities.
