Families throughout El Paso County have participated in the county fair for years – 102 to be exact. In 1905, families came in covered wagons to celebrate a bountiful potato harvest. The festivities were simple – a potato and bean bake, down-home entertainment and horse races. Eventually, organizers added food and agricultural exhibits, foot races and then a rodeo. As the fair grew, one thing remained: It’s all about families.The Carson family has been involved with the Plainsmen 4-H club for two years. Twelve-year-old Brock Carson and his sister, 9-year-old Brittany, are entering their lambs, chickens, roosters and turkeys this year. Brittany also is showing “Cher,” her breeding ewe. Cher’s son is Brittany’s market lamb. “Underwood” weighs in at 115 pounds, she said. Brittany expects that Underwood will gain a few pounds before his fair debut. Cher also is the mother of Brock’s market lamb, “Commando.” All three will be shown in different classes at the fair.Brock and Brittany had this to say about their 4-H experience. “It teaches us how good lamb, turkey and chicken tastes,” Brock said. A more serious Brittany said, “It may look easy, but it’s hard. With breeding animals, it is year round.”Laurie Carson, Brock and Brittany’s mom, also participated in 4-H when she was young. The family will spend the whole week at the fair caring for the animals and showing off their hard work.Another family is busy preparing for the fair; however, their projects are non-animal related.Meagan Maikell, age 12, and Marissa Maikell, age 9, are regular members of the Falcon Ranchers 4-H Club. Younger brother Ryan, age 7, is considered a Clover Bud member of the 4-H club. “Clover Buds get to do a number of different projects throughout the year and choose what they want to take to the fair,” said mom Debra Maikell. The younger kids get the feel of the 4-H experience without the pressure of competition, she said.Meagan is submitting nine projects in the following categories: scrap booking, holiday ornaments, candle making, arts and crafts, jewelry, macramÈ, candy making, baking and cultural foods. Marissa’s fair projects focus on arts and crafts, jewelry making and a cooking class called Riddles, Rhymes and Fun Food Times, which teaches the basics of cooking. Ryan will enter Lego’s, model craft and art.While Ryan talked about his Lego Aqua Raider Set he is building, Marissa enthusiastically and with confidence, discussed her lamp project. All three children said their projects are work, but fun, too. “I work on my record books and sometimes projects in the car,” Meagan said. She also is involved in many school activities, including student council, the Challenger program and the year book. She plays basketball and participates with her church youth group as well.Somehow, Meagan works everything in to her busy schedule. She explained her year-round plan. “During the school year, I work on my school – and that stuff,” she said. “Then, in the summer, I spend a day on each project working ’til my fingers are numb.”Good luck to the Carsons and Maikells and everyone involved in 4-H.
