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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Working Exhibits and Share the Fun
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The State Fair is right around the corner. Four Working Exhibits and one Share the Fun programs have been chosen to advance. 4-H Working Exhibits are hands-on demonstrations that a member designs to interact with the public and teach a concept or learn a skill that will be useful to them. Participants are given a set time to present their exhibit to the public. 4-H Share the Fun exhibits encourage members to express themselves using the performing arts. The group discovers, creates and executes an idea in any number of formats.
The 2025 Working Exhibits included Making a puzzle using Popsicle sticks, Creating a coaster poster with ink stamps for a party game, Learning the amount of sugar in popular drinks and Designing a party light with pingpong balls. All of these clever ideas will be shown again at the State Fair.
Three of the ideas could be adapted to an activity to keep busy young partygoers having fun. To make a puzzle, Popsicle sticks were taped together. On one side, magic markers are used to draw a picture or design. When the sticks are untaped and stirred, voila, a puzzle. Now put them back together properly to solve. To make a party game, paper coasters were used with picture stamps to create an artistic display. The names of the stamps were then written on the back of the coasters. The players then use the descriptions to be the first to find the proper coaster. Using magic markers, aping pong ball is decorated with an attractive design. It is then placed over a LED party light, These could be used to make a circle of light around the cake or a special gift. Everyone would go home with a nice souvenir of the event.
A truly shocking but great learning experience was developed by two members. How much sugar is in your favorite soft drink? (they also included Gatorade.) A young participant chose the picture of their favorite soft drink. They then placed the number of teaspoons of sugar they thought the drink contained in a plastic cup. After being given the correct answer and shown the correct volume of sugar, many vowed to change their habits. Hopefully they changed to water not to artificial sweeteners.
Share the Fun is fun. 2025 exhibits were no exception. Thirty one New London Lassies were front and center of the audience sitting in a long row. Their talented hypnotist went down the line, tapping on the heads of deeply asleep members. Each group was given a typical 4-H activity to demonstrate. The first group was especially appreciated. The young ladies acted as various animals that are displayed and judged. Everyone acted out their part until suddenly “awakened” and given permission to return to normal. A large group bow brought enthusiastic approval from the audience.
The second Share the Fun by the 3 C’s feature a large box of 4-H memorabilia. As the members unearthed each “strange” item many unlikely uses were proposed. Among the fun items was a dial telephone. Trying to figure out how to answer the phone and which end to used provided amusement for all. A particularly poignant item was an old, striped 4-H uniform. It reminded many of the long gone days of candy stripers and other service-oriented organizations. The audience was dismayed when they learned that this exhibit would not be going on to the State Fair. There is a strange rule. The group presenting must be at least 80% in grades 5-12. 3 C’s had 78% in this age range. Everyone one would have voted to do away with that rule if given the chance. This skit deserved a standing ovation.
