Nothing marks the end of summer in my mind quite like the Tennessee State Fair. I believe there is no better way to gear up for going back into the classrooms with 4-H than with some good old-fashioned fair food! Since the Tennessee State Fair now makes its home in neighboring Wilson County, that always leads to some cool opportunities for our Smith County 4-H’ers.
For me, this year’s state fair festivities began on Friday, August 16, with the Tennessee 4-H Picnic at the Fair, where I sat at a table with our Administrative Assistant Nancy Malone, local 4-H volunteers and supporters, and members of the Smith County Fair Board.
The Tennessee 4-H Picnic at the Fair is held annually to help raise money for 4-H Camp and educational conference scholarships for children all across the state. This summer, Smith County sent two 4-H’ers to camp on half-scholarship due to funds raised at the 4-H Picnic at the Fair in 2022 and 2023, as did every 4-H program in all 95 counties in Tennessee.
My favorite thing about this year’s 4-H Picnic at the Fair is how well-represented Smith County was!
As this year’s 4-H State Council President, Smith County 4-H’er Gabe Harville was asked to speak alongside “Voice of the Vols” Bob Kesling to welcome the crowd. As an avid fan of the Tennessee Volunteers, it was incredibly exciting not only to get to hear Bob Kesling’s voice in person but to also see one of my 4-H’ers stand beside him and speak with just as much poise and finesse – albeit with a bit heavier southern accent!
Gabe also submitted a piece of original artwork to be auctioned off to raise money for the 4-H program. Gabe’s painting of a farm scene brought $350 in the live auction. In the photo below Gabe Harville shows off his original artwork during the live auction at the Tennessee 4-H Picnic at the Fair. Photo Courtesy of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation.
Smith County’s own Jennifer Wright, who won the 2023 Tennessee State Fair Apple Pie Contest, also contributed to the live auction by making one of her award-winning apple pies. Jennifer’s pie sold for a whopping $2,600. That deserves a blue ribbon indeed!
Another opportunity that our Smith County 4-H’ers participated in during the Tennessee State Fair was the Open Livestock Judging Contest, which was held on Monday, August 19.
Thirteen of our 4-H’ers competed in this contest, along with nearly 500 other 4-H’ers and FFA members from all across the state. 4-H’ers judged five classes of livestock, including two classes of doe kids, a class of heifers, a class of market lambs, and a class of breeding ewes.
McCall Kemp was named 1st Place High Individual in the Junior Division. Our Junior team, made up of Gracie Driver, McCall Kemp, Josie Harville, and Scarlett Hicks, placed 2nd overall in their division. Scarlett also placed 7th individually.
Our Junior High team made up of Kara Brooks, Bryant Locke, Emma Locke, and Marshall Taylor placed 5th overall in their division.
Also competing in the Junior High Division were Charlotte Driver, Clay Driver, Jay Driver, and Aubrey Hicks. Kynlee Davis competed as a Senior High individual.
Finally, on Friday, August 23, four of our 4-H’ers, Easton Bibbings, Emmy Bibbings, Gabe Harville, and Kynlee Davis, worked inside the 4-H/FFA building, volunteering to teach fairgoers about sun safety, proper hydration, and the importance of choosing healthy snacks to keep our bodies fueled.
Thanks to all the dedicated volunteers and event organizers that make the Tennessee State Fair-Wilson County Fair possible and successful year after year!
If you have any questions about the many opportunities that Smith County 4-H can offer our local youth, please email me at rpetty@utk.edu or call the UT Extension office at 615-735-2900. 
