Even after 56 years, the Oakland County 4-H Fair, which returns July 22 through July 27, has something new up its sleeve.
The latest feature is the Miracle of Birth, a 105 ft x 60 ft tent where pregnant animals will be kept and visitors can view the birthings.
‘We hope to have a litter of pigs, several chickens hatch, and lambs birth,? Terri Burnett said, 4-H Fair director.
‘Of course, the animals are not all going to birth between 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the hours of the fair,? Burnett said. To compensate, the animals will be videotaped, day and night, and a large screen television will play the births for all to see.
4-H members, and Clarkston residents, Noah and Matthew Dunavent, as part of the Veterinary Science Club, will be helping out in the Miracle of Birth feature, which is sponsored by Farm Bureau.
‘We’re learning how to take care of the tent,? Noah, 7, said.
‘We’re learning about the birthing process,? brother Matthew, 13, said. ‘We’re watching videotapes of each species being born.?
‘I think it’s going to be awesome,? Burnett said. ‘I can’t wait ’til the babies start popping out.?
As an extension of the exhibit, there will be a newborn petting zoo. Children will have a chance to hand-feed milk bottles to the newborn.
The Miracle of Birth is part of the free daily attractions at the fair which also include Premier Animal Attractions? exotic animals featuring a white tiger; a petting farm; Farmer For A Day tent, a hands-on farm experience for children under age 12; science tent; hayrides; Wizard of Wood carving exhibit; Michigan State University agriculture tent; and much more.
The Playworld Carnival will be open from 1-11 p.m. weekdays; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is $7 per vehicle or $4 per person (walk-in). All evening grandstand events are $7 for adults; $3 for children 5-12; and free for children under 5.
The Oakland County 4-H Fairgrounds are located at 12451 Andersonville Rd. in Davisburg. For information, call the fair office at (248) 634-8830. Visit www.oakfair.org for coupons.
With approximately seven million members nationwide, 4-H has become the largest nonformal youth education organization in the United States.
The 4-H Fair is the premier showcase for Oakland County youth to exhibit more than 6,000 projects completed this year.