Lorain County Junior Fair hosts Ag Olympics

WELLINGTON — While not quite as serious as the Olympics, which took place in Paris this summer, the second annual Lorain County Junior Fair Ag Olympics might be just as competitive. It's definitely more fun. About 100 4-H, FFA and Junior Fair exhibitors competed in this year's games. Abby Chenoweth, member of the 4-H Parents & Volunteers for Ag Olympics Committee, said parents came up with the idea of an Ag Olympics after the 2022 fair, trying to find an event that would give Junior Fair exhibitors the opportunity to do something together with their friends regardless of whether they had the same Junior Fair projects. All 4-H and FFA members and Junior Fair exhibitors are eligible to participate. Emma Lewis, 17, of Penfield Township, competed in the first fair Olympics last year. "It was so much fun," the Keystone High School senior said. Using the 4-H age brackets, members younger than 8 years old compete in an obstacle type event as individuals. Members in the junior or senior ages register to compete as a team of four in a series of heats or events, with the three fastest teams taking home bronze, silver and gold medals. The fastest overall teams from each division compete head-to-head for the title of Overall Junior Fair Ag Olympics Champion. One race may have them putting on barn overalls and boots and running between barrels. In another contest, they might pretend to milk a cow. And in another, throw bales of straw. "It was a blast last year," Emma said. "It really was fun. There were a lot of teams. We started at 7 p.m. and it was still going on at 10 p.m." The first Olympics were held on the night of last year's storm, which caused severe flooding at the fairgrounds and forced the event to be cut short. "Participants enjoy being able to build their own teams without being limited to their specific Junior Fair project," Chenoweth said. "They bond, root for each other and have lots of laughs." This year's event also included a first responder competition with first responders from many of the area safety services, including Grafton Village Fire Department, Wellington Fire District and South Lorain County Ambulance District and others, taking part in the events. All participants receive an Ag Olympics T-shirt. The youngest participants also receive souvenir cups and coupons to the 4-H Milk Barn. Bronze, silver and gold medals are given to the top three teams in each of the junior and senior divisions. The Overall Team from the head-to-head also receives souvenir mugs and the right to sign the Overall Ag Olympic Trophy. This year, Marshall Ternes, Andrew Krupka, Holden Harker and Garrett Schlecter, senior division competitors, took home the 2024 Overall Junior Fair Ag Olympics Championship trophy. "All fairgoers are welcome and encouraged to come check it out," Chenoweth said. Emma, who is a member of the Penfield Partners, hopes to attend The Ohio State University ATI in Wooster or Wilmington College to major in agriculture business and minor in communications. She is the daughter of Dawn Handrosh and Steve Lewis. Contact Christina Jolliffe at ctnews@chroniclet.com.