The sounds of live music drifted across Howell Living History Farm as children hurried between white tents, families climbed aboard horse-drawn wagon rides and young exhibitors proudly introduced visitors to rabbits, goats, chickens and science projects during the Mercer County 4-H Fair over the weekend.
A pie-eating contest brought cheers and laughter Saturday afternoon, while nearby visitors wandered through exhibit halls filled with artwork, quilts, photography and crafts before stopping to watch livestock judging or learn about agriculture, engineering and healthy living from the young people who had spent the past year preparing their projects.
The annual fair, now in its 107th year, celebrates the work of Mercer County 4-H members while giving the community an opportunity to experience the organization’s wide range of educational programs.
This year’s fair, themed “Stepping Stones to Success,” included live music, pony rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, tractor rides, a magic show, a reptile show, contests and farm tours. Projects created by local 4-H members were displayed beneath tents across the fairgrounds, while livestock exhibitions featured horses, cows, goats, rabbits, chickens and other animals.
“The main mission of the 4-H Fair is for our club kids to display what they’ve been working on all year long,” said fair director Altaria Bejgrowicz on Sunday. “We have kids here who are working on science projects, livestock projects, healthy living, and agriculture projects. They’re showcasing what they learn, and just explaining what 4-H is about.”
The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands and Health, reflecting the organization’s pledge to use clearer thinking, greater loyalty, larger service and better living. Through Rutgers Cooperative Extension, New Jersey 4-H offers year-round programs that encourage leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on learning in agriculture, science, engineering, healthy living, the arts and other areas.
Kids of all ages proudly shared projects they had spent months creating while caring for animals competing in rabbit, goat and poultry contests. Families stopped to pet goats resting in shaded pens, watched judging unfold under tents, explored educational exhibits and paused to photograph prize-winning projects displayed throughout the historic farm.
One exhibit that consistently drew visitors featured an interactive game designed by several 4-H members to demonstrate electrical circuits. Players wrapped aluminum foil around their wrists and used foil buttons connected by wires to play the game while learning about the flow of electricity.
“We wanted something interactive for the kids, something that they can relate to like video games, and also have to do with STEM,” said Marshall Jonas, one of the students behind the project.
Jonas said the hardest part was making sure all the wires were connected correctly. Seeing visitors enjoy the game made the work worthwhile.
“The kids seem very into it, and they really enjoy playing with them,” Jonas said.
The fair highlighted just how broad 4-H has become. Alongside traditional livestock competitions, visitors found exhibits featuring photography, artwork, quilting, crafts and other creative projects, while demonstrations and activities introduced children to science, technology, agriculture and outdoor education. Older members answered questions from younger visitors, explained their projects and shared the work that goes into preparing for the fair long before opening day.
The fair also serves as an introduction to 4-H programs available throughout Mercer County. This fall, the organization plans to launch the Cloverbud Club in Ewing for kindergarten-age children, creating another opportunity for young families to become involved.
“We always want new members, and we always like to have as many adults as we can in the program,” Bejgrowicz said. “We’re always looking for volunteers, especially if they have a talent, skill, or knowledge they’d like to share. They can do it in a lot of different ways.”
As the afternoon continued, families filled wagon rides through the farm, children danced beneath the entertainment tent, antique tractors rumbled to life and pie-eating contestants laughed as blueberry filling covered their faces. Together, the scenes reflected the fair’s larger purpose: bringing the community together while celebrating the accomplishments of Mercer County’s young people.
“People look forward to it and enjoy it,” Bejgrowicz said. “They could come out to the fair, enjoy a fun day, feel that community spirit, and get to see the creativity of the kids. It’s a very hopeful kind of place.”
Photos by Seth Siditsky and Mike Chipowsky
