This is the first year of recording podcasts at the Allen County Fair, an idea created by the Junior Fair.
ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - Kids are getting creative to share their project highlights at the Allen County Fair, and it has never been done before until this year. Our Conner Prince shares the story!
When we think of the fair, we typically think of showing cows, chickens, and rabbits, but what about podcasts?
Decker says there is still time for kids to record their own podcast episode.
"Alright, and welcome back to another episode of ACF 411. In the parlor today, we have James. James is the 2024 Junior Fair Rabbit Prince," said Russ Decker.
"There were 3 other guys trying to get the Rabbit Prince," responded James, 2024 Junior Fair Rabbit Prince.
"In our studio, we have Sophie. Hi Sophie," said Russ Decker.
"Hi," responded Sophie.
"And your chicken is Shadow, right?" asked Russ Decker.
"Correct," said Sophie.
Decker and the Junior Fair members teamed up with iHeart Radio along with a sponsorship by Nutrien to create a fun, relaxed space for them to share their exciting fair project moments.
Those clips are from the podcast "ACF 411." This is the first year of recording podcasts at the Allen County Fair, an idea created by the Junior Fair.
"We were looking for a different way to communicate, and they came up with the idea of podcasts. So, we are recording three podcasts every day, and we're using this old milking parlor that hasn't been used for about 15 years next to the Dairy Barn as our studio," says Russ Decker, Allen County Fair "ACF 411" podcast host.
Decker and the Junior Fair members teamed up with iHeart Radio along with a sponsorship by Nutrien to create a fun, relaxed space for them to share their exciting fair project moments.
"We try to not be very serious, so we talk about the various animals that they're showing, so whether that's cattle or hogs or rabbits, but we also try to talk about the light side... so we've had almost everybody share with us some maybe funny moments that have happened to them in the judging ring," adds Decker.
And through all the fun, fair kids who take the podcast hot seat learn precious skills that they can use for the rest of their lives.
"We do want to put them on a hot seat because this is part of their development. Junior Fair is all about developing skills that are going to last them a lifetime, and one of those is answering difficult questions when you are on the hot seat. It will help them with their job interview skills down the road, interviewing to get into colleges and whatever their path may be," Decker explains.
Decker says there is still time for kids to record their own podcast episode. To sign up, talk to Russ Decker in the vicinity of the barns or talk to Fair Manager, Troy Elwer. You can listen to the podcasts by visiting https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/acf-411--6247200.
