Burlington—Visitors to the New England Center at the 2024 Eastern States Exposition on September 15 and 16 were treated to a wide range of Vermont 4-H activities and exhibits.
More than three dozen Vermont 4-H’ers, all blue-ribbon winners at the annual 4-H State Day in May, shared their project work through their action exhibits, illustrated talks, stage performances and smart shopper outfits, among other activities. In addition to the in-person presentations, several photographs and posters by 4-H’ers were on display throughout the 17-day run of the fair, held annually in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Representing the state were:
ACTION EXHIBITS:
Better Days 4-H Club, Bridport (“Felting Alpaca Fiber.” Alexis Freegard, Bristol; Chase Petrin, Addison; Sophie Welch, Bridport)
Blazing Bridles 4-H Club, Danville (“Lead Rope DNA.” Kaylee Demers, St. Johnsbury; LeighAnn Judd, Wolcott; Thea Ross, St. Johnsbury; Jenesy Zwart, Danville)
Kingdom Hoofbeats, Derby Line ("Knotty Knots." Vera Acheson, North Troy; Jayde Hopkins and Piper Parsons, both from Derby; Taylor Peck, Sheffield)
Kingdom Hoofbeats, Derby Line (“Scratch that Itch.” Kassie Koehler and Penelope Longe, both from Newport; Carlie Rondeau, Coventry)
Kingdom Hoofbeats, Derby Line. (“Hit the Road and Show.” Nora Acheson, North Troy; Quinn Charest, Derby Line; Maggie Guyer, Morgan; Alivia Hisman, Westfield)
DEMONSTRATION: Lane Fortune, St. Albans, and Henry Lawrence, Georgia (“How to Handle and Raise Friendly Chickens”)
ILLUSTRATED TALK: Anna Campopiano, Mount Holly (“Horse Breeds Around the World”); Grace Denio, Waterford (“My 4-H Experience”); Cosimo Franklin, Lyndon Center (“Wolves in Mythology”); Natalie Hill, Greensboro (“Raising Dogs”); Luke Morrison, Danville (“Civil War Drummer Boy”); Chace Petrin, Addison (“Water”).
PHOTOGRAPHY: Nora Acheson, North Troy (“Horse with Braids, Popcorn”); Breanna Garcia, Woodsville, New Hampshire (“PeekaBoo”); Torrey Hanna, Addison (“Nosy Neighbor”)
POSTERS: Hailey Chase, Bristol (“The Beautiful Bettas”); Harlow Converse, Derby (“Guernsey Cow”); Lane Fortune, St. Albans (“How Eggs are Formed: The Fascinating 34-hour Process”)
SMART SHOPPER: Breanna Garcia, Woodsville, New Hampshire (girls’ night out dress). For this category the 4-H'ers were evaluated on their fashion sense and how well they put together an outfit on a $25 budget.
STAGE PRESENTATIONS (GROUP): Jaelyn Bergeron and Paytin Richardson, both from Lunenburg (“I Make it Look Easy” dance); Rutland Performance and Arts Club (“When I Grow Up” vocal group. Remi Barry, Rutland City; James Shorey, Fair Haven; Aliza Smith, Tinmouth; Adeline White, Pittsford); Rutland Performance and Arts Club (Puppetry. James Shorey, Fair Haven; Aliza Smith, Tinmouth; and Adeline White, Pittsford); James Shorey, Fair Haven, and Adeline White, Pittsford (“Dear Theodosia” vocal duet); Whispering Pines 4-H Club, Westford (“Tinikling” Philippine dance. Fiona Adams, Josephina Kascha-Hare, Saige Prisco, Sam Provost and Addison Tomasi, all from Milton; Kinzi Grindle, St. Albans)
STAGE PRESENTATIONS (INDIVIDUAL): Remi Barry, Rutland City (“Lost Boy” vocal solo); Isabelle Guevin, Brandon (“Jabberwocky” poetry recitation); Olivia Guevin, Brandon (magic show); James Shorey, Fair Haven (“Evermore” from “Beauty and the Beast” vocal solo); Adeline White, Pittsford (“One Feather Tail” and “A Change in Me” vocal solos)
Several other 4-H’ers were eligible to present at the “Big E” but were unable to attend due to school and other commitments.
To learn more about the UVM Extension 4-H program, call the State 4-H Office at (802) 656-7630 or (800) 571-0668 (toll-free in Vermont).
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lindy Birch
(802) 656-7572
Email: melinda.birch@uvm.edu
Amy Miller
(802) 656-7580
Email: amy.miller@uvm.edu