LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - Thousands of people will attend the Allen County Fair for the food, rides and animals, but fair officials say the heart of the event is the Junior Fair.
The Junior Fair gives young people an opportunity to learn core life skills through hands-on projects. Members of 4-H clubs take on projects ranging from woodworking and sewing to raising livestock.
Participants learn responsibility, develop a strong work ethic and gain real-world financial management experience through budgeting and market sales.
The Junior Fair also highlights the Junior Livestock Auction, which wraps up the fair. Through the auction, 4-H members rely on community support to purchase their livestock projects, with the proceeds potentially providing a boost toward their college education.
Troy Elwer, operations manager for the Allen County Fair, said the auction has received growing support in recent years.
“We have gained so much support and so much positive momentum with that auction over this last three years in particular and our hope is that folks continue to understand the importance of the auction itself and rewarding those over 1,400 junior fair kids that work so tirelessly hard on their projects each and every year,” said Elwer.
The Junior Fair Livestock Auction takes place over two days, beginning Thursday afternoon and continuing Friday morning as the fair winds down.
The auction is open to the public. More information is available on the Allen County Fair's website.
