Leaders, members and families will be participating in the Pictou-North Colchester Exhibition from Sept. 6-10, but in addition to their regular competitions and displays, they are welcoming all Canadians to come and learn more about the 4-H program and the local agricultural community.
This Friday will be Pictou County AgAwareness Day at the Pictou Exhibition grounds where people will learn the role 4-H plays in shaping strong leaders and vibrant communities, said AgAwareness Committee for Pictou County 4H chairman Bonnie Allan.
The day will begin with 400 grade 4/5 students from Dr. W.A. Macleod. A.G. Baillie, Walter Duggan, Salt Springs, Scotsburn, West Pictou and McCulloch Educational Centre visiting the Pictou Ex grounds to tour all the buildings and displays.
The students are provided with free passes that also allow them to re-visit the exhibition on the weekend and be "tour guides" for their families.
“This is an excellent opportunity for the students to show their parents and families everything that they have learned in their visit,” said Allan.
In the AgAwareness tent, starting at 3 p.m. in the afternoon, 4-Hers will show what they have learned and accomplished in the 4-H program.
Some of the demonstrations include cake decorating with the opportunity for children to decorate their own cupcake. 4-H members who competed in the woodsmen competition will be showing guests how to light a fire and another member will demonstrate how to get vegetables ready for competition. Junior members from the Sunrise Trail and River John 4-H clubs will teach you how to "bath a chicken for show."
The afternoon will include cake and ice cream in honour of the Canada 150 celebrations. The cake will be cut by two of Pictou County 4-H’s 90-plus-year-old former members and served by current 4-H members.
The day will end with the junior woodsmen team demonstration at 7 p.m.
On the weekend, there will be displays set up by Northumberland Sheep Producers, the New Glasgow Farmers Market, Lismore Sheep Farm, Seafoam Lavender Farm, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library, Pictou County Solid Waste and many more. The digitized collection of Pictou County 4-H and the archives of Pictou County 4-H will be available for viewing.
“Also, you will have the opportunity to sample some strawberry shortcake with strawberries supplied by MacLean's in Durham. Also, we will have vegan food for sampling and information on a vegan diet.
On Saturday afternoon, there will be a rooster crowing competition for the 4-Hers and it will be open to the public so they can bring their "crower" to the competition.
The 4-Hers will be in the J. Allan MacKay livestock barn both days to let you pat their animals and tell you all about their livestock project. 4-H Tug of War teams from around Nova Scotia will also be here to compete.
