• By April Bowman
• Posted Friday, September 25, 2009

Forsyth County 4-H to Celebrate Centennial Year at Dixie Classic Fair

In conjunction with the Dixie Classic Fair, the second largest agricultural Fair in North Carolina and owned and operated by the City of Winston-Salem, N.C., the Forsyth County 4-H organization is celebrating a centennial of service with an official 4-H 100th Birthday Bash on Monday, Oct. 5, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Clock Tower Stage on the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds. The event will also coincide with the Fair’s School Day program that will cater to students in grades pre-school through fifth grade as well as National 4-H Week, which is Oct. 4-10, 2009.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating 100 years of service to Forsyth County,” said April Bowman, 4-H Extension agent. “Science can often seem intimidating to young people, but engaging youth early in scientific exploration has been shown to spark a lasting interest.”

During the celebration, Fairgoers can enjoy musical entertainment provided by the award-winning Forsyth County 4-H Acoustic Band and several piano and singing acts including The Orange Family. The talent show will be concluded with everyone singing Happy Birthday to 4-H and sharing birthday cake. In addition to the birthday festivities, several students will be asked to help 4-H demonstrate the National Youth Science Experiment, which includes helping make biofuel from plant cellulose in “Biofuel Blast.” This year’s experiment will teach youth how cellulose and sugars in plants, such as corn, switchgrass, sorghum and algae, can be converted into fuel and how alternative energies can be used in their own communities. The sugars ferment and create ethanol which causes a balloon to expand from the energy that is trapped inside. Youth will determine which substances create the most energy by measuring the diameter of the balloons.

“The 4-H National Youth Science Day makes science fun, real, and accessible,” added Bowman. “Kids learn about cutting-edge technologies and then take the next step by applying what they’ve learned to their community. It’s a very rewarding experience.”

This birthday event is open to the public and all current and former 4-H members are all invited to attend. Schools are also encouraged to use this celebration as the conclusion to their School Day experience, and anyone that wants to learn more about 4-H or help us celebrate are all invited.

Click here to view the invitation.