Last month the Ohio State Fair welcomed more than 969,000 visitors during its 12-day run, including 4,698 youth participating in 4-H project judging in the Lausche building. It takes a village to help make all the events at the state fair happen, and Ohio 4-H members, volunteers, and educators played a crucial role in assisting with a multitude of events throughout the fair.
This year, several Ohio 4-Her’s served on the Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board where they assisted with livestock events, Little Farmer’s, customer service, concerts, Monster Mural, and even the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) park. Most importantly, they served as role models, leaving a lasting impression on youth attending the fair.
Samantha Bader, a 4-H’er from Fairfield County, recently completed her first year on the Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board (OSF JFB) and will return as president for her second term.
Samantha was inspired to join the board by older 4-H members and advisors who shared their experiences with her. “I wanted to challenge myself, give back to the fair, and be part of something bigger than just my own projects,” reflected Samantha.
Looking back on her first year, Samantha’s favorite role was helping with fishing at the ODNR park. She enjoyed helping youth and families try something new, as catching a fish was a first for several of them. She also reflected on the spirit of agriculture that gets captured at the state fair. “One moment that stood out was watching families gather to support an exhibitor in the show ring,” she said. “It reminded me that agriculture is about more than just animals or crops, it’s about community, family, and celebrating hard work.”
While Samantha contributed to many aspects of the Ohio State Fair, 4-H remains a large part of the state fair experience. It empowers youth to become beyond ready by encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and embrace new challenges.
The fair is a powerful reminder of the impact of the 4-H program. “I know how much work goes into every project,” Samantha said. “Watching members succeed, whether they take home a banner or just reach their own goals, shows just how meaningful 4-H truly is.”
Samantha’s involvement illustrates that the fair leaves a lasting impact—not only on those exhibiting projects, but also on those who work and volunteer behind the scenes.
In addition to the Junior Fair Board members, 511 adult volunteers assisted with project judging for a total of 4,088 hours of service. An additional 69 Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council members and 4-H Event Youth Assistants filled 232 judging shifts.
This year, 241 Clock Trophies were awarded to 4-Her’s, and all 88 counties were represented this year at the Ohio State Fair 4-H project judging.