lynelle.miller@heraldbulletin.com

ALEXANDRIA — Nine-year-old Guy Maynard walked up to the judging table inside the Farm Bureau 4-H Building in Alexandria Thursday morning and sat down. With a smile on his face, he watched as the gift-wrapping judge measured his project, looked at the seams and asked him why he chose bright blue paper with fish swimming all over it.

“I told her I was interested in fish,” said Guy.

He admitted he was nervous, but you would have never guessed with his knowledgeable responses and confident posture.

After all was said and done, though, Guy had nothing to worry about. The judge gave him a blue ribbon.

In fact, Guy is a blue-ribbon machine. With four projects including cake decorating, scrapbooking, gift wrapping and sewing, which he will be going to the State Fair for in August, Guy cleaned up.

Although the boy was ecstatic about getting blue ribbons, he added that’s not what 4-H means to him.

“I like picking my projects and doing them,” he said. “It’s really fun and exciting to see other people’s projects, too.”

The rides, food and games may open today for the general public, but the fun has been going on for the past week for 4-H members when judging began July 5.

“We have had events every day since then,” said Beth Leonhard, 4-H youth development and extension educator. “We have launched rockets, had the cat show and dog show and judged most of the projects that will be in the exhibit hall. Some judging, such as livestock, will take place (this week).”

A lot goes into participating in 4-H.

Hundreds of youth were out during morning judging Thursday for everything from photography and small engines to child development and recycling. And according to Leonhard, it’s been like that since day one.

“We have 1,100 kids in 4-H in Madison County,” she said. “And I think we have right around, if not more than, 70 projects for them to choose from. And those even have different categories. It takes awhile to judge all the projects.”

Samantha Thurston, 13, walked up to her mother Julie Thurston, Alexandria, with a big smile on her face. “The judge suggested some things, but she really liked it,” said Samantha. “I got a blue ribbon with honors.”

“That’s so great,” said Julie, adding a blue ribbon with honors means Samantha may have the chance to go to the State Fair.

Samantha’s project was child development, but that wasn’t the only judging she went through Thursday.

“I’m doing gift wrapping, child development, photography, foods, cows and pigs,” said Samantha.

Like many 4-H’ers, Samantha comes from a family where 4-H is a tradition and judging week is a big deal.

“I take the week off of work for 4-H,” said Dave Morgan, patrolman for the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. “It’s a big deal in our family.”

His 9-year-old daughter, Cheyenne, came out of judging for photography with a huge grin on her face. “I got a blue ribbon,” she said, grinning.

Like Guy, though, Cheyenne said 4-H isn’t about ribbons.

“I like that I get to work with animals and have fun with my parents and make my stuff,” she said, adding she also shows swine. “I’ve learned responsibility and love making new friends. It’s just fun.”

With so much hard work going into projects, many of the 4-H’ers admitted they love fair week because it allows them to enjoy 4-H without any pressure.

“I like to see all the projects,” said Jonathan Huffman, 11. “I also like the food and seeing people.”

Although judging continues through this week, today is the opening of rides, food vendors, games, entertainment and games at the Madison County 4-H fairgrounds.

“All the activities for the community open (today),” said Leonhard. “All the projects that are judged will be on display, though, in the 4-H building.”

Leonhard said that although the rides and food bring a lot of people out, she encourages the community to take a look at all the hard work the youth have put into projects.

“They work so hard,” she said. “We have great youth in our county.”