It’s almost time for the Howard County Fair, which begins on Saturday, Aug. 4, and ends on Saturday, Aug. 11. Every year there are new things to do and see at the fair.

This year there are colorful signs posted on each of the buildings that house livestock or farm crops. The signs have information about the animals and crops inside the building, so that you will learn about what you see before you go in. They are part of the Agricultural Education program and were created by student Ellie Feaga.

At the fair last year, Ellie organized 30-minute tours, led by 4-H members, to take fair visitors through the different barns and teach them about farming in Howard Country. Ellie recruited and organized all of the 4-H tour guides and led tours herself during the week.

This year she is focused on a self-guided tour. Fair visitors can pick up a paper passport at the Farm Academy Booth as they enter the fair. They can read the informational signs, answer the questions on the passport, and then return to the booth for a prize before they leave.

This program represents Ellie’s 4-H Diamond Clover project, which is the 4-H equivalent of a Boy Scout Eagle project.

Ellie, a rising junior at Glenelg High School, is excited to have the opportunity to teach fair-goers about the importance of agricultural science.

She will be very busy during fair week, showing baked goods, pigs and dairy cows, in addition to her work with the Farm Academy. Read her signs while you are at the fair and learn about agriculture.

Another new exhibit at the fair this year will be an air rifle trailer. The Howard County 4-H Bullseye Club, along with the Damascus chapter of the Izaak Walton League are joining forces to have certified instructors teach about the safety and fundamentals of air rifle shooting.

Fair-goers will have the opportunity to shoot at Olympic regulation targets, and the top scores of each day will be posted for everyone to see.

The trailer will be open Saturday, Aug. 4 and Sunday, Aug. 5, as well as Friday, Aug. 10 and Saturday, Aug. 11. Additional dates may be added, as needed.

The goal is to allow anyone to experience Olympic shooting while promoting safety.

Donations will be accepted to benefit the marksmanship programs of both clubs.

Samantha Dixon, a rising freshman at Glenelg, will be very busy showing four pigs, three heifers and two steers at the fair. She hopes people will come out to support the 4-H members at the Livestock Sale on Friday, Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Show Pavilion.

The Livestock Sale gives 4-H members a chance to recoup the money they have spent on their project and offers members of the community the opportunity to fill their freezers with locally grown meat while they support a great program.

The Glenwood Lions Club will be selling food at their snack bar, a staple of the fair for over 60 years. Stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime for some delicious ice cream.

You will see friends and neighbors behind the counter and know that all the proceeds stay right here in our community.

Each year the Lions Club supports 4-H programs by purchasing an animal at the Livestock Sale.

Right across Midway Boulevard from the Lions Club, you will find the Glenelg High School Booster Club’s french fry stand, and the Glenelg Marching Unit fried dough stand. By purchasing french fries or fried dough from the students you will be supporting programs at Glenelg High.

There is something for everyone at the Howard County Fair, from animals to baked goods, crafts, fine arts, farm crops, woodworking and textiles.

There are live bands, clowns, a petting zoo and pig races. Take the time to wander through the 4-H Exhibit building, the Farm and Garden Building and the Home Arts building and marvel at all the talents in our neighborhood.