CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Cape May County 4-H Fair invites guests to build, craft, create and learn what it takes to become a “maker” at the Maker Space, in the Lockwood 4-H Youth Center, during the 4-H Fair on July 20, 21 and 22.
A maker is someone who creates something. The maker community consists of a wide variety of interests and skill levels, from industry experts to garage tinkerers. It can be a full-time job for some or a weekend project for others. The types of people who identify as makers is just as varied, from those who focus on home crafts, baking and preserving, to electronics experts, to woodworkers, welders and 3D modelers.
Many makers are hobbyists, enthusiasts or students, but they also offer a wealth of innovation, and a passion for creating new products and producing value in the community. Some makers become entrepreneurs and start companies.
Maker Space is an interactive experience at the 4-H Fair where invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and the people that make it happen, all come together.
The maker space will run all day, each day of the fair, with demos that will run all day long and projects displayed based on a schedule that will be posted each day. Projects and demos will include circuitry and electronics, programming, robotics of various kinds, crafts and the intersection of all these things.
Linda Horner, 4-H Program Coordinator, says, “The maker space has been such a success the past few years that we decided to bring it back again this year. We would love for members of the community to stop by the maker space and show us what they’ve made.”
Fair-goers can expect to see many of the things they have come to enjoy at this year’s fair, including livestock and equestrian shows, a chicken BBQ, vendors, pony rides and a farm market, plus attractions such as an expanded Children’s Discovery Farm and a 4-H Color Fun Run on Saturday at 8 a.m.
The annual 4-H Fair runs July 20-22 at the 4-H fairgrounds located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House. Public hours for the fair are noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free and there is a host of fun events Thursday through Saturday. Limited premium parking is available at the Atlantic Cape Community College campus, located next door to the fairgrounds, for a suggested $5 donation.
Free parking is available at the Crest Haven Complex with shuttle bus service to the fairgrounds from the Cape May County Technical School starting at noon on Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday. Buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and fully handicapped accessible. Take Exit 11 East off the Garden State Parkway, and look for parking directions.
The 4-H Youth Development program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County. Volunteers are always needed to assist at the 4-H Fair. Please call (609) 465-5115 ext. 605 for more information. Learn more about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program and the 4-H Fair at cmc4h.com.