VALLEY — I’m spending the next two weekends in Pueblo to help out with the 4-H public presentation and robotics contests at the Colorado State Fair. The fair, which runs from August 24 to September 3, is a great celebration of Colorado agriculture, a prestigious competition opportunity for local youth, and a fun excursion for the family.

4-H has a large presence at the fair, with three buildings of exhibits from kids from around the state. Forty-seven projects from Valley 4-Hers are on display, many of which took home champion awards in their units. Exploring these buildings is a great way to see the wide range of projects that 4-H has to offer. I guarantee you’ll be impressed by the quality of work from Colorado youth. It’s also a welcome way to cool off, as the buildings are air-conditioned. You can see projects as diverse as cake decorating, entomology, rocketry, sewing, woodworking and photography.

4-H members also compete in a number of contests, such as horse shows, animal shows, a rocket fly, and demonstration contest. If you find yourself at the fair, go support Valley 4-Hers at the Dog Show and Western and English Horse Shows on August 25 and 26. Youth in these events show off the results of hours of training and practice with their animals. Or pop in at the Robotics Challenge on Saturday, September 1 to see teams run robots in an autonomous car challenge.

Local 4-H and FFA members are also showing animals in the market animal shows on August 25 and 26 throughout the day at the Livestock Pavilion. Select top animals will sell in the Jr. Livestock Sale on Tuesday, August 28. The quality of animals at the state level is excellent, and it’s awesome to see Valley youth perform well in these events. Besides seeing the animal shows, families can explore the animal barns and check out a petting zoo. A full schedule of all the fair shows and events is available at https://www.coloradostatefair.com/p/schedule/416.

In addition to the 4-H offerings, there are tons of other options for family fun at the fair. These include an impressive traveling carnival, concerts, rodeos and a demolition derby. There’s also plenty of free attractions like surfing dogs, a Stilt Circus, the kid’s pedal tractor pull, free music and more. Plus there are arts and crafts, food, merchandise booths, and fun giveaways.

Consider bringing your family out to Pueblo to get in on the fun and support Colorado 4-Hers. The fair is held at the Colorado State Fairgrounds and is open Monday to Thursday, noon to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. We hope to see you there! Learn more at www.ColoradoStateFair.com.

Amy Henschen is the 4-H Youth Development Agent for Colorado State University Extension. To find out more about Extension and the 4-H program visit http://sanluisvalley.colostate.edu or call 719-852-7381. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.