AURORA, Neb. — “Mega Monday” at the Hamilton County Fair brings blood, sweat, and yes… a few tears along with fashion, food, and the frenzy of 4-H competition.
This is the day when local youth present their family and consumer science projects — everything from handmade clothing to a full-course meal.
“You said salami, white cheese, cream cheese, tomato. Nutritionally do you think this is a healthy snack?” a judge asks one young participant.
“I don’t know,” replies Scarlett, who assembled the snack with a little help from her mom.
“I’m testing you hard!” the judge laughs.
It’s not just about what’s on the plate — it’s about how you present it.
“I’m wearing a white shirt, green bowtie, jeans, and cowboy boots,” said 11-year-old Silas Andrews, who competed in the Favorite Food contest. He also nailed his place setting: “Fork on the left, knife and spoon on the right.”
Hamilton County Extension Educator Emily Soll says the program helps build skills that last well beyond the fair.
“That’s something we work hard to teach our youth — skills they can take with them for a lifetime, like public speaking and being able to present themselves,” Soll said. “There’s a huge intentionality piece in here. Why are we showing up for kids the way we are? We want to build these life skills — that’s the why behind it.”
That learning often comes with a little stress along the way.
“Lots of tears, not much blood this year. In other years, definitely,” said 4-H mom Katrina Andrews, whose children spent all day Sunday cooking in the kitchen. “We definitely took a couple trips to Walmart for ingredients we forgot.”
Christina Dose of Hampton can relate. She’s a mom of three — and also serves on the fair board and thinks of all the last minute trips.
“All the time. We’ll probably make 20 trips to town this week, easy,” she said. “Kid-wise, it’s paperwork and making sure details are done… and for us, washing pigs and cattle so they have some bath time coming.”
And yes — she’s got binders to keep all those entries straight.
While every kid hopes for a purple ribbon, Soll says red or blue doesn’t mean failure. It means room to grow.
“You bring your project to the county fair, get feedback, and make it better,” she said.
For food judge Carrie Gotschalk, the most rewarding part isn’t just tasting kid-made snacks — it’s seeing the growth that can’t be measured in calories.
“100 percent,” she said. “These are the kinds of skills that are not from a textbook. They’re from practice, they’re from engagement and support. You don’t just get it by going to school, by playing sports. This is exactly the kind of opportunity more kids need access to,” Gotschalk said.
The Hamilton County Fair, believed to be the longest continuously running fair west of the Mississippi, is now in its 154th year. And while times change, some things remain the same.
“It’s my first year,” said 8-year-old Eric Dose, “but I’m OK with it.”
When asked if he gets nervous talking to judges, Eric didn’t hesitate:
“I got this.”
link
