4H and Youth Fair begins July 29 with fun as usual
After safety concerns were raised by a structural engineer regarding two buildings and some bleachers at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, adjustments are being made. The fair will go on with a tent instead of the livestock judging pavilion and using trucked-in bleachers. The small animal barn will be off limits this year too.
The small animal barn has rotted wood posts and should not be occupied until support posts are replaced, according to John Fuentes, the county administrator and controller, citing the recommendation of a structural engineer who examined the buildings for the county.
The other structure, the combination judging pavilion and arena, was determined to have similar post issues but could be occupied during low and moderate winds, Fuentes said. This year animals will be spread around so the ones that normally go in the small animal barn will have space. Beef and dairy cattle will be together. Rabbits and poultry will be near the swine barn. Sheep and goats will be in the beef barn.
The property and most of the buildings are owned by Clinton County, and the fair is run by the Michigan State University Extension along with several committees of 4-H members under the Fair Board. See their Facebook page for more information.
There are more than 450 young people signed up to be part of more than 2,400 exhibits that range from art to agriculture.
Theresa Silm, former longtime 4-H program manager says, “Hats off to the Fair Board, volunteer leaders, committee members, 4-H staff, and county to step in and focus on finding and implementing temporary solutions. I’m sure the long-term solution is being discussed and worked on, but I’m happy that everyone is working together in a positive way to make sure the Fair is still the great opportunity for our youth to display their talents and showcase the projects they have worked on all year.”
See more history of the Fair in Clinton County.
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Saturday, July 29
The Fair opens with a Dog Show.
Sunday, July 30
The Poultry Show, Dairy Goat and Market Shows, the Tractor Pull and Performing Arts judging round the day’s offerings.
Monday, July 31
The Fair kicks off the week with the Horse Clinic followed by the Prospect Beef Show, the Horse Show, the Antique Tractor Pull and the Sheep Show.
Tuesday, August 1
Events include the Swine Show, another Horse Clinic by the Rabbit Show and the Horse and Pony Fun Show 6:00 pm Beef Show. The Beef Show and the Draft Horse Show round out the evening.
Wednesday, August 2
The day features the Dairy Show, Pocket Pet Show, a Horse Clinic, the Canine Hour of Fun, Musical Performances by parents playing musical instruments, the Dog Agility Contest and the 4-H Livestock Sale.
Thursday, August 3
Kid’s Day activities include Livestock Judging Contest, Pedal Pull, Horse Speed Show, Dairy Management Contest, Young Farmers Scavenger Hunt, Face Painting, Magic Show, Sweepstakes Showmanship and Still Exhibit Auction. The Fair Awards Program closes out the 2023 Fair.
Don’t forget National Night Out is August 1
On the first Tuesday of August each year the police department hosts a Community Picnic. The Kiwanis Club grills hot dogs, Andy T’s serves sweet corn, and popcorn and popsicles are available.
The Rotary Club supervises activities for the children. The St. Johns Police provide bounce inflatables, Laser tag, face painting, and have a display of fire trucks, an ambulance and a police car to explore.
Several local service agencies are also on hand to give out educational materials.
St. Johns Mint Festival Crowns 2023 Royalty
A new Mint Queen and Court have been crowned in advance of the 2023 St. Johns Mint Festival. On Thursday, July 20 an outstanding group of 21 young women participated in the annual Mint Festival Pageant, which consisted of a personal interview with a panel of judges, an on-stage speaking portion, and modeling formal wear.
The tradition of crowning a Mint Queen dates back to 1936, when Elouise Harris was first awarded the title in celebration of the booming mint farms in and around St. Johns. When the Mint Festival was revitalized in 1985, the stage was set for the pageant to return the next year. Thirty-nine outstanding women have held the title of Mint Queen, serving as ambassadors of the Mint Festival and Clinton County as a whole.
The 2023 Mint Queen is Sarah Bovee, a senior at Grand Ledge High School. An avid singer, Sarah is a member of Madrigals, the school’s top choir, and was selected for the All-State Honors Choir. She has been in nine theater productions and she is president of both the GLHS Key Club and the International Thespian Society.
Her court includes 1st Runner Up, Katie Rozen, a St. Johns High School graduate and incoming freshman on Northern Michigan University’s Dance Team, and 2nd Runner Up Anna Hagerman, who is a senior at St. Johns High School.
The Court also consists of two younger members: Little Miss Mint (ages 8-10) and Junior Miss Mint (ages 11-15). The 2023 Junior Miss Mint is Bella Payment, a freshman at St. Johns High School. She is a member of the SJHS Dance Team, theater program, and has earned her bronze award as a Girl Scout.
The 2023 Little Miss Mint is Andi Sternburgh. Andi is 9 years old and plays softball, soccer, and swims with the St. Johns Sea Lions.
The new Mint Festival Royalty will make their official debut at the Mint Festival August 11-13 in St. Johns. Following the Mint Festival, they will serve as ambassadors of the festival at community events and parades around Mid-Michigan over the course of their year-long reign.
To learn more about the Mint Festival and Mint Festival Pageant, visit www.mintfest.org.
Peter Madcat Ruth’s C.A.R.Ma. Quartet performs on August 2
Peter Madcat Ruth’s C.A.R.Ma. Quartet, out of Ann Arbor, will bring their unique sound to the St. Johns stage on Wednesday, August 2nd for a wonderful evening of music that will expand your listening experience. You will hear somethings jazzy, folksy, bluesy, along with American Roots and World Music. This wonderful program will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the beautiful St. Johns City Park.
“Don’t be afraid of this wonderful mix of musical styles,” says Bill Tennant, Concert in the Park coordinator. “What makes this group extremely special is the fact that every one of the professional musicians is outstanding with national and international touring experience. This unique group will entertain you throughout the evening with their interesting eclectic traditional and improvisational blending music, as each musician adds their personal wide-ranging experiences to the mix.”
Peter Madcat Ruth is a Grammy Award-winning virtuoso harmonica player. He has established an international reputation through his exhilarating, riveting virtuosity on the harmonica, considered one of the best in the world. Madcat has toured with the likes of Dave Brubeck and others, and can be heard on over 130 CDs and LPs.
John Churchville is a Grammy Award-winning tabla drummer. He earned a degree in World Music Performance from the esteemed California Institute of Arts, moving back to Michigan in 2006. John was recording and performing with, and a founding member of, the award-winning Indian fusion group, Sumkali.
Brennan Andes has been a diverse member and bon vivant of the Ann Arbor music scene for over two decades. Having toured nationally and internationally, he is all about making people dance and smile.
Dan Ripke has been a professional musician and educator for nearly 30 years. He toured and performed with the rock-bluegrass quintet, Back Forty, for 15 years, then with a variety of other groups. His fondness for many musical genres shows in his playing.
The concert in the Park series is co-sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns. The concerts are open to the public free of charge – donations are graciously accepted. The Lion’s Club food trailer will be available this year and as always, all concerts are presented every Wednesday rain or shine.
So set your GPS to: 801 W Park St, St Johns. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy!
The CCAC receives funding from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Help Pave the Future of Public Transportation
Clinton Transit is committed to ensuring that residents remain mobile and connected to the important people and places in their lives.
To support this, the agency is working on a comprehensive Transit Development Plan designed to identify Clinton County’s transportation needs and assess how transit can adapt to meet those needs through innovative ideas, local connections and regional collaborations.
“The completed plan will serve as a roadmap for future service improvements and potential expansion. This is an opportunity to help design what public transportation will look like in Clinton County in the future.” – MaLissa Schutt, executive director for Clinton Transit
Via stakeholder meetings, focus groups, open houses and three separate surveys, Clinton Transit will be seeking feedback from every corner of Clinton County. Beginning this month, three surveys will be deployed to gather input from current customers, as well as Clinton County residents and employers.
“We hope everyone will take part. Whether they ride the Blue Bus or not, their input gives us valuable insights that we will use to guide our decisions,” says Schutt.
Individuals are encouraged to respond to each survey that applies to them as residents, employers and/or current riders.
“We’ll be sending a separate survey to local employers. More than a third of rides on the Blue Bus are work related, so we want to hear how we can better serve our local workforce,” says Schutt.
Clinton County residents will also receive a postcard with information about the survey and how to participate. Riders can conveniently fill out a paper survey on their next trip. Links to each survey will also be available at mybluebus.com and facebook.com/bluebus.
Established in 2001, Clinton Transit has been providing curb-to-curb service to meet the needs of all Clinton County residents. Fondly known as the Blue Bus, the on-demand transit system responds to ride requests and provides safe, reliable transportation to all county residents. This creates a more connected, accessible and vibrant Clinton County.
For more information on the Blue Bus, visit mybluebus.com.
RBW Class of ’61 to meet August 4
The Rodney B. Wilson High School Class of 1961 meets regularly on the First Monday of each month (except holidays) at 9:00 a.m. in the back room of the Main Street Café at 205 N Clinton Avenue in St. Johns.
Everyone orders off the menu, eats, and shares our lives. They welcome all ’61 grads to join them.