MIDDLETOWN- Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County is celebrating the 100th year anniversary of the Orange County 4-H Youth Development Program! It all started in a one-room schoolhouse in Coldenham back in 1923 and since then, Orange County 4-H has continued to provide fun and learning opportunities to help local youth grow to be healthy, happy, contributing global citizens. Over the past ten decades, thousands of youth grew and benefited from the efforts of volunteers and staff through the 4-H motto of “Learning by Doing.”
An alumni reunion will take place on Saturday, July 29, 2023, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the CCE Education Center & 4-H Park, located at 300 Finchville Turnpike, Otisville, NY during The Country Fair! All alumni, past and present are invited to join us in the celebration, 4-H history display, and alumni challenge. Tom Davis retired 4-H Educator and current volunteer says, “We are calling all Orange County 4-H Alumni! It’s time to celebrate! Bring your stories, photos, and join the fun being held at the “NEW” Country Fair in Otisville inspired by the 4-H program.”
Alumni can enjoy lunch with old-time friends, experience the Fair feel, and have a celebratory ceremony reminiscing the last 100 years. The celebration begins with registration and lunch at 12 noon. Alumni will receive coupons to use at selected food trucks. After lunch, everyone can participate in an “alumni challenge” where they will have the opportunity to use their 4-H knowledge and compete against one another to win the title of the “Alumni Champion!”
Alumni will have competition stations with questions and tastings. Participants will be scored based on total points awarded. Alumni, start practicing! And to close out the Alumni celebration we will honor Tom Davis, lifetime 4-Her, 4-H Educator, and volunteer as he was just recently inducted to the 4-H National Hall of Fame for his many years of dedication and devotion to the 4-H program and the youth of Orange County. To participate in the alumni celebration is free, however there is a $5 parking fee to enter the fairgrounds. We encourage alumni to register for the celebration by visiting our website: https://cceorangecounty.org/events/2023/05/03/orange-county-4-h-alumni-100th-celebration
Along with the celebration, alumni will be able to visit the past by experiencing our Orange County 4-H Alumni history display. We are still seeking additional pictures, 4-H projects, and memorabilia from all Orange County 4-H alumni and volunteers to display a chronological timeline of 4-H throughout the years. For alumni to share their memories, photos and such please visit our website: https://cceorangecounty.org/fundraising/1923-fundraising-campaign-for-4-h where you can fill out the alumni survey and upload photos or other memorabilia. Other items can be dropped off at the CCE Orange County office located at 18 Seward Ave, Suite 300, Middletown, NY.
As the 100th celebration comes to an end, CCE Orange County has organized a “$19.23 for Orange County 4-H” fundraiser that will benefit the 4-H Youth Development Program, help support the Education Center & 4-H Park in Otisville and Orange County 4-H Program. As of June 2023, the fundraiser has raised over $7,000.00 for the 4-H Program and 4-H Park. We are asking all Orange County 4-H alumni, volunteers, and those who believe in 4-H to donate $19.23 to help continue these efforts. To learn more about the 1923 Orange County 4-H fundraiser, or to learn more about the Orange County 4-H Youth Development Program, please visit our website: www.cceorangecounty.org.
Any questions, please contact Jill Van Aken at jd863@cornell.edu or call 845-344-1234.
Be sure to save the dates for The Country Fair – July 27, 28, 29 & 30, 2023! The Country Fair will have something for everyone, including live entertainment, antique car shows, 4-H exhibits, animal shows, amusement rides, tractor pulls, delicious food, local vendors, and so much more! The 4-day event will be held at the CCE Education Center & 4-H Park located at 300 Finchville Turnpike in Otisville, N.Y. For more details, please visit: www.cceorangecounty.org. Please note that there is a $5 parking fee each day of the fair.
Cornell Cooperative Extension and its partnerships provide programs for Orange County residents on youth and family development; nutrition, health, and food safety; community and economic vitality; and agricultural sustainability through Cornell based research. Committed to Orange County, we design programs to meet local needs to enable people to improve their lives and communities.
For more information call Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County at 845-344-1234 or visit our website at www.cceorangecounty.org.
