LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Live animal projects are just a small part of the 4-H opportunities on display at the Allen County Fair. Special interest projects allow students to explore a wide range of skills and curiosities beyond livestock.
“I think I just really like making stuff for me, like having things and wearing things that I've made and knowing that I put that time into it,” said Vivian Elrod, the 2025 Allen County Fair Special Interest Queen.
Elrod has been competing at the fair for eight years. She said both of her grandmothers sparked her passion for sewing, and she has taken nearly every sewing project available. But her 4-H experience has taught her more than just sewing.
“Well, I really think it helps kids learn, like, good interview skills and how to conduct themselves and, like, a polite, respectful manner. I know that it's really helped me when I've had different job interviews and things like that,” Elrod said.
There are about 200 special interest projects students can bring to the fair.
“They're going to be our food projects, our health projects, leadership. Some of my favorites are the gardening projects that lots of people can do, even in containers, and then our canning and freezing projects that then help you learn to preserve those things that you're growing. Our woodworking projects, just a lot of different skills that you can keep working on over the summer when you're not in school,” said Kelly Cobie, Allen County 4-H educator.
“I mean gosh, gosh, I think there's projects that have never been tried yet, and so I think it'd be really cool to see kids just kind of branch out and try whatever ones they want,” Elrod added.
For students who love animals but don’t have the space to raise them, 4-H has projects for that too.
“It's like there's a project called the horseless horse, where you learn all about horses and how to take care of them, but you don't have to have a horse with you. So it's good. I personally live in a suburb. I was never able to take animals, so I think it's really good for kids that can't have that,” Elrod said.
Visitors to the fair can stop by the Youth Exhibit Building to see what projects Allen County students have been working on.
