There are seven 4H clubs in Callaway County and FFA students at every school district - and all will meet in July for the 2017 Callaway Youth Expo. Both girl and boy scouts also are invited.
"This is a way for them all to come together," said Sarah Rohrbach, youth program assistant.
The expo is July 5-8. Some of the events are organized for members of the general public to also attend, Rohrbach added.
"We're having a dance one night and a movie in the park," she said.
David Reid, president of the fifth annual expo, said expo attendees will see improvements to the site. There's a new livestock barn and show arena, and the cookshake has been updated, as has the kitchen. There are also new portable livestock pens.
"It's pretty nice," Reid said. "We've come a long way in five years."
Entrance to the expo is a great deal for visitors.
"We have totally free admission," Reid said, adding there will be a barrel train giving rides and various bounce houses.
People and businesses are also invited to become sponsors for the event, which is at the former Lions Club Park in Auxvasse. Funds help contribute to improvements to the grounds. Various levels of sponsorships are available, from Diamond ($1,000) to Bronze ($100) and Friends of the Expo ($50). For more information, contact Reid at [email protected].
The pedal tractor competition is now open to kids, teens and adults, Rohrbach added.
The small animal show will be 4 p.m. Saturday; the types of animals that can be shown include bottle goats and lambs, bucket calves, cats, dogs, rabbits and more.
Many of the winners will go on to compete at the Missouri State Fair, from Aug. 10-20.
Kids don't need to live on a farm to join 4H, or FFA. Plenty of projects are available that don't involve animals, Rohrbach said.
Open enrollment for 4H will start in October. For information, contact Rohrbach at 573-642-0755 or [email protected].
Fore more information about the Youth Expo, visit www.callawayyouthexpo.com or go to the expo's Facebook page.
Youth Expo Schedule
July 5-8 - Auxvasse Lions Club Park/Arena
Monday, July 3
4 p.m. 4-H Conference Judging
4-7 p.m. FFA Exhibit Registration
4-6 p.m. Hams/Bacon check-In
8 p.m. Movie In The Park
Wednesday, July 5
12:30 p.m. Fashion Review Clinic
1 p.m. 4-H Fashion Revue
2 p.m. 4-H Royalty Interviews
2 p.m. 4-H Speech Contest
3 p.m. 4-H Royalty Contest
3 p.m. Food Stand Open
4 p.m. 4-H Demonstrations
4 p.m. Bounce House Open
6 p.m. Swine in Place, Weigh-In to Follow
6 p.m. Youth Horse Show
8 p.m. Dance (All ages welcome)
Thursday, July 6
8 a.m. Food Stand Open
10: a.m. Goat/Sheep in Place
1 p.m. Goat/Sheep Show
4 p.m. Super Farmer & Tug In The Mud
4 p.m. Bounce House Open
4 p.m. 4-H/FFA Fun Activities
5 p.m. Archery Tent
7 p.m. Swine Show
Friday, July 7
8 a.m. Food Stand Open
8 a.m. Poultry/Rabbits In-Place
9 a.m. Poultry/Rabbit Show
10 a.m. Market Beef & Bucket Calves In Place, Weigh-In to Follow
4 p.m. Bounce House Open
4 p.m. 4-H/FFA Fun Activities
5 p.m. Archery Tent
5 p.m. Master Gardeners activity for youth ages 5-10 years
5 p.m. T-Bird Boys Band
6 p.m. Bucket Calf Show Market Beef Show to Follow
6 p.m. Breeding Beef In Place (unless pre-registered)
7 p.m. Garden Tractor Pull
9 p.m. T-Bird Boys Band
Saturday, July 8
7:30 a.m. Country Ham Breakfast Tickets for Breakfast $10.00, 5 & Under Free
10 a.m. Food Stand Open
8 a.m. Market Beef In Place for Sale
10 a.m. Breeding Beef Show
NOON Kids, Teen & Adult Pedal Tractor Pull Registration (All ages welcome)
1 p.m. Kids, Teen & Adult Pedal Tractor Pull
2 p.m. Archery Tent
2 p.m. 4-H/FFA Fun Activities
2: p.m. Bounce House Open
3 p.m. Cow Patty Bingo
4: p.m. Children's Small Animal Show
5 p.m. Buyer's Dinner
7 p.m. Livestock/Ham Sale