For members of Park County 4-H, the opportunities to compete will continue beyond this week’s Park County Fair.

“With all of the unusual circumstances this year, 4-H wanted to make sure that the youth of Park County had the opportunity to participate in as many project areas as possible,” said Tycee Jo Brown, 4-H & youth development educator. “So we decided to host 4-H shows to supplement the fair shows.”

The mini horse show is slated for July 30, and the horse show follows July 31. The dog and cat shows will take place Aug. 3, and static exhibits will be judged Aug. 4. The 4-H shows wrap up with the fashion revue on Aug. 5.

Typically, these shows happen as part of the county fair, but were rescheduled this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We decided to move them a little later and spread them out to help with sanitation between shows,” Brown said. “We also hoped that things would continue to open up throughout the summer so that we could host them.”

All of the shows will take place at the Park County Fairgrounds and are open to the public.

“Most of them will be outside to help maintain social distancing,” she said.

Static exhibits scheduled for Aug. 4 will include anything that is not a live animal.

“It could be a poster board, scrapbook, photo, baked good, cake, lego creation, etc.,” Brown explained.

Youth can enter 46 different project areas, and they’ll also complete an interview with a judge to help demonstrate what they’ve learned, Brown said.

She said 2020 “definitely presented some new challenges,” and 4-H shifted to all online participation for April and May. Some kids were able to attend different online learning opportunities that, for various reasons, they may not have attended in person, Brown said.

“Overall, while some opportunities did not get to happen, we have had great participation in 4-H,” she said.

There has also been a good response to the upcoming 4-H shows, she said. Although some families had prior commitments, others are excited to participate and 4-H leaders are excited to put on the events.

Brown added that she’s thankful for the “overwhelming support” for 4-H youth.

“I am incredibly grateful to live in a community that values their youth,” she said.

4-H show schedule

Mini horse - July 30 at 9 a.m.

Horse - July 31 at 9 a.m.

Dog - Aug. 3 at 9 a.m.

Cat - Aug. 3 at 4 p.m.

Static exhibits - Aug. 4 from 1-4 p.m.

Fashion Revue public show - Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.