JULY 2026

(published July 14, 2026)

All 4-H Club and Countywide Project Leaders, 4-H Event/Activity Chairpersons or Organizers: Contribute to the articles posted monthly by completing a short form and uploading your article or photos using link: Newsletter article submission form 

NOTE: Articles for the current monthly newsletter, must be submitting by 2 pm. on the Monday before. Newsletter is published on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Any photos submitted with youth, must be identified for photo release.

July is a time when summer is in full swing and our 4-H community is actively learning, creating, and connecting. Across the county, youth are building skills, strengthening friendships, and putting their hard work into action as fair season approaches. This is a meaningful point in the year because it is where preparation, perseverance, and support from families, volunteers, and community partners all come together.

As we look ahead to the fair, we are reminded that 4-H is about much more than the final product. It’s about the journey our young people take where they are gaining confidence, developing leadership, and discovering their interests along the way. Every project, meeting, and conversation contributes to their growth.

Our community plays an essential role in making these experiences possible. Whether you are a parent, volunteer, alumni, or supporter, your encouragement and involvement help create a welcoming environment where youth can thrive. Together, we are building not only projects, but also strong, capable individuals who are ready for what comes next.

As we begin to think about the close of this program year and the start of a new 4-H year, we look forward to celebrating accomplishments, reflecting on growth, and welcoming new opportunities and new members into our community.

- Thanks, Abi, 4-H Educator - Ozaukee County 4-H 

You are invited to the attend the Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association meeting on July 16 from 7:30-9:00 pm at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds, Pavilion.

The Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association members encompass Ozaukee County 4-H members, volunteers, leaders, and families. We work together to expand and enrich the 4-H experience in the Ozaukee County 4-H Program. Together, we plan countywide 4-H activities, events, and fundraisers.

Leaders Association Board will submit a meeting agenda that will be posted on the Leaders & Volunteers page of the website once submitted.

We look forward to seeing you at the July meeting!

Please join us on Sunday, August 2nd at Noon in the Bruce Krier 4-H Expo building at the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds to celebrate and recognize three youth from the Ozaukee County 4-H Program who will be honored by receiving the 4-H Key Award. The 4-H Key Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Wisconsin 4-H program! Hope to see you there!

- Submitted by Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Key Award Committee

Save the date of August 19th for the annual 4-H County Board Exchange! 

Ozaukee County 4-H Youth are invited to attend to share how 4-H supports developing leadership, citizenship, and life skills to prepare youth to be come 'beyond ready' for their future endeavors.

This exchange is an effort to help the County Board understand the 4-H program and the educational opportunities available to youth. We would like all of the 4-H clubs represented. We invite youth to share their fair projects and record books with the County Board Supervisors as well as information about trips and leadership opportunities they have experienced in 4-H.

For planning purposes, please sign up using link below before August 14th. Youth should plan to arrive around 7:45am and should be excused from meeting around 10:00 am.

Any questions or if you wish to volunteer for the event, please contact Abi, 4-H Program Educator, at abi.quinlan@wisc.edu or call the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

Ozaukee County 4-H will hold two open houses this fall for those interested in learning more about the 4-H program! Do you know someone who wants to learn more about the Ozaukee County 4-H Program? Or perhaps they are ready to enroll! Invite them to an upcoming 4-H Open House!

Are you proud of your projects and want to display them in public? Want to promote 4-H? Volunteer at one of the 4-H Open Houses and share your experiences and projects with people interested in 4-H. We need volunteers to make this a successful event!

Thank you in advance for volunteering to share what Ozaukee County 4-H is all about!

- Submitted by Jessica H., Sarah H., Marisa H., and Lily S., 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinators

Once again, to help with accommodating busy family schedules and conflicts, we are giving you the opportunity to plan and schedule your own family event! We’ve had some great 4-H families offer up their businesses to help support and make this event possible. Each 4-H youth will be receiving a certificate from their club leader that will allow your family to determine what you would like to spend your certificate on. You must present your certificate at time of purchase, as the business will need to keep it for reimbursement purposes. Thank you to the Ozaukee County 4-H Leader’s Association for sponsoring this event. Thank you for your involvement in 4-H and here’s to another great year!  

- Submitted by Danielle Gettelman, Ozaukee County 4-H Leaders Association Volunteer Event Coordinator

The 4-H Silent Auction is returning again this year. Do you have current year projects that ignite your spark? Would you like to earn some cash on them for next year's project? Do you enjoy a project so much that you have an abundance that you would like to cash in? Maybe it's a tie-dye shirt or a wooden/ceramic flower planter. Some fancy earrings or decorative wreath that would be a great addition to the auction. A drawing, painting, photo, or some other form of art could draw attention to bidders. Any blue-ribbon project except posters, displays, scrapbooks, or perishables and Cloverbud and Exploring projects will be accepted.

We are looking for outstanding items to offer the public. Look for an application during static judging on Thursday and Friday before fair. This year projects will be pictured outside the door of the Expo building. Don't forget to tell family and friends to bid! Everything will be online.

More information can be found under the '4-H Leaders Association Silent Auction' section of 4-H at County Fair webpage.

- Submitted by Amy G., 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinator

Fall Forum brings together 4-H members in grades 7 through 13, adult volunteers, and staff from across Wisconsin to connect, learn, and get energized for the year ahead. It is always an exciting, high-energy weekend and a great opportunity to showcase the amazing things happening right here in our county.

Fall Forum is looking for presenters.
Do you, or a youth or volunteer you know, have a project, skill, or program you want to share? This is a great chance to highlight your passions, build leadership skills, and represent our county on a statewide stage!

There are two ways to get involved:

Workshops (Saturday, November 7):
Lead a hands-on, interactive session for participants who sign up in advance. This is a great option for teaching skills or exploring a topic in depth.

Makerspace Stations (Friday, November 6, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.):
Host a come and go station where participants can try quick activities, learn something new, or ask questions. This is a fun, flexible way to engage a wide audience.

Proposals are due August 15. We encourage youth and adults to partner together and support young people in taking the lead.

Makerspace Station Proposals: https://go.wisc.edu/d437hg
Workshop Proposals: https://go.wisc.edu/5r5g75

Let’s make sure our county is well represented at Fall Forum this year.

Supporting Youth Mental Health training is a valuable training for volunteers working with youth.  Through interactive online learning, practice situations, and discussion, participants will learn about:

Anyone looking to participate in the training can find the upcoming dates on the SYMH website.  Please reach out with any questions! 

Reminders & Mark Your Calendars!

Port Washington Farmers Market Brat Stand: A Few Dates Remain Open. The 4-H Brat Stand is up and running on Saturdays at the Port Washington Farmers Market. A few spots remain open and need to be filled. Please check out the sign-up for more info and to sign-up. It's a great way to earn funds towards 4-H groups and projects! 2026 OZ 4-H Port Washington Farmers Market Sign Up

WI 4-H State Key Award Top 10 Application Open: Due August 3rd. 4-H’ers who have won the County Key Award in 2024, 2025, 2026 may apply to be selected as one of the Top 10 Wisconsin 4-H Key Award winners statewide. Find out more by visiting the website: WI 4-H Key Award Applications.

Cloverbud Day Camp- Cardboard Creations: Register by August 10. Youth 5 years old - 2nd grade are invited this summer to explore new ideas, build confidence through hands-on discovery, and more by attending Cloverbud Day Camp: Cardboard Creations! Please note that the day camp are open to all youth; youth do not need to be a member of 4-H to participate in the fun. Register using 4HOnline. For more info, visit Cloverbud Day Camp post. 

Fairgrounds Reservations-Digital Form. Reminder that 4-H leaders must submit this Google Form to reserve the Ozaukee County Fairgrounds space for upcoming events. Once you’ve submitted the form, county staff will review it and either approve your requested date(s) or, if unavailable, propose alternatives.

Adults must be approved volunteers to be actively leading projects or working with 4-H youth. If you are not a current approved volunteer this year, you can not serve in your 4-H volunteer role. Questions about your enrollment or status? Log into your 4HOnline account to check status OR call the Extension office at 262-284-8288.

4-H summer camp brought youth together for a meaningful experience of learning, connection, and fun through both Base Camp and Adventure Camp at Camp Lakotah. Across both programs, youth stepped outside their comfort zones, built new friendships, and strengthened their sense of belonging within the 4-H community.

At Base Camp, younger youth enjoyed high-energy group activities, creative projects, and outdoor play, all designed to build confidence and teamwork. Campfire evenings filled with skits, songs, and reflection created lasting memories and strong connections.

For those in Adventure Camp, youth took their experience a step further by developing independence, leadership, and outdoor skills. Through hands-on activities like orienteering, canoeing, cave exploring, and team challenges, participants grew in responsibility while supporting one another throughout the weekend.

These experiences were made even more impactful through the leadership of our youth directors and counselors. A special thank you to Youth Director Paige K (Base Camp), Youth Director Rebecca G (Adventure Camp), and Junior Youth Director Jacqueline P (Base Camp) for their dedication, enthusiasm, and mentorship. Their leadership helped create a welcoming, supportive environment where youth could thrive.

Across both camps, the connections formed and skills gained continue to shape each young person’s 4-H journey. We are grateful to the volunteers, staff, and families who support these opportunities and help build a strong, engaged 4-H community.

A youth sweatshirt was left behind at camp. If this is your sweatshirt, please contact the Extension office at 262-284-8288 to claim it before August 15th.

Cloverbuds enjoyed a wonderful day of exploration and connection at Nature Day Camp on June 26. A highlight for many was the nature hike, where youth discovered and explored the sights and sounds around them, sparking curiosity about the world outdoors.

Campers also had fun getting creative by building their own “snail homes,” combining imagination with hands-on learning. Throughout the day, one of the most meaningful takeaways was the opportunity to meet and connect with new friends from other 4-H clubs, strengthening our larger 4-H community.

Experiences like this help our youngest members build confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging as they begin their 4-H journey.

You do NOT need to be an amazing artist to be a face painter!!  We have pre-established simple designs that the kids have to select from so we are able to keep the lines moving and provide some added fun for the event. 

Sheriff Knowles has requested 4-H support to provide face painting at the National Night Out event hosted by the Ozaukee County Sheriff's department on August 11th from 5-8pm at the Belgium Community Park, 106 Beech Street, Belgium WI. This event draws over 1,000 kids and the event spotlights all types of law enforcement, and brings them together allowing kids and their families to see the cool equipment. Every law enforcement agency in Ozaukee Co will be present, a Blackhawk helicopter, Flight for Life, some federal agencies and state agencies and the DNR.  This should be an incredible event and we are hoping you and your families will come work a shift and take some time to also enjoy the event!  

The adult 4-H volunteer for this event is: Nicole Simon (THANKS Nicole!). If you need to reach her, she can be contacted via email at cornerstonelandsurvey@gmail.com or via text 262-424-3570.

Thanks so much for supporting the importance of community and volunteering! Sign-up using link: Face Painting National Night Out

- Submitted by Deanna Lee, 4-H Volunteer Event Coordinator

The 167th Ozaukee County Fair is just around the corner, taking place July 29–August 2, 2026. Now is the time to start preparing your exhibits and reviewing important Fair information.

4-H Youth Premium Book Available

The 2026–2028 4-H Youth Premium Book has been published and is now available.

One printed copy was distributed to each Ozaukee County 4-H Club.

An electronic version can be found on the Fair website:
https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/4-h-open-class-school-art-entries

Please read the Premium Book carefully, as it contains important rules, class information, exhibit requirements, and judging details.

Animal Exhibitors

A Premise ID Number is required for all animal entries except dogs and rabbits.

In addition, all animal exhibitors are required to submit completed animal forms and a signed Code of Conduct at animal check-in. Please ensure all paperwork is completed and ready to be turned into the Superintendents when your animals arrive at the Fairgrounds.

Important Judging Dates

Non-Animal Pre-Fair Judging:

Thursday, July 23 and Friday, July 24, 2026
1:00–6:00 p.m.
Expo Center (Curling Building)

Many non-animal projects will be judged before the Fair. Be sure to plan ahead and attend your scheduled judging session.

Judging Schedules

The complete 2026 Judging Schedules are posted online. Please review them carefully, as there have been several changes to project check-in dates and times, as well as judging dates and times. Be sure to verify your schedule so you do not miss any required check-in or judging appointments.

Judging Schedules can be found at: https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/judging-schedule

Entry Tags

Entry tags may be picked up during Pre-Fair Judging on Thursday and Friday, July 23 and 24, 2026, at the Expo Center (Curling Building).

Beginning Monday, July 27, 2026, entry tags will be available for pickup at the Fair Office.

Exhibitors are encouraged to pick up their entry tags as early as possible to help ensure a smooth check-in process during Fair week.

Face-to-Face Judging Reminder

Face-to-Face Judging is an important educational component of the 4-H experience.

If a 4-H exhibitor is unable to attend judging, they must complete a Project Explanation Form for Absent 4-H Exhibitors, available at: https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com/4-h-open-class-school-art-entries

Please Note: Exhibits entered by absent exhibitors will have their awards lowered by one full placing and will not be eligible for special awards.

Need Help?

Before contacting someone with questions, please review the Premium Book, as most answers can often be found there.

If you still need assistance contact your club leader, or email: exhibits@ozaukeecountyfair.com

The Ozaukee County Fair website is your best source for Fair information, schedules, forms, and updates: https://www.ozaukeecountyfair.com

2026 Fair Parking Info

All Parking passes went on sale July 9 and included a limited number of Reserve Parking, Camper passes, and the 5-day General parking pass for the South End (Gate #1). All available passes can be viewed and purchased on the Fair website while supplies last: ozaukeecountyfair.com/parking 

See below for further detail on parking passes.  Note: all purchased passes are to be picked up from the Fair Office the Monday and Tuesday of fair week – bring your email receipt for proof of purchase. 

A.) 5 Day General Parking Pass for South End ($30):the purchase of these passes will only provide admittance into the parking lot on the south end of the Fairgrounds (Gate 1). This Pass does not guarantee entry if the South Lot is full. 

B.) Reserved Parking ($50): Since sales opened on July 9, we expect that very few, if any, reserved parking spots will be available for sale on our website at the time of this publication. 

C.) Camper Parking ($130): Camper spots are for animal exhibitors only. Camper placement on the grounds will be ‘first come first serve’. Campers can arrive the weekend before Fair but no later than Tuesday July 28th (placement by horse arena area only). All customers wishing to camp at Fair must pay upon placement of their camper (same day) via our online website. Campers must then display their Camper parking hang tag on their car to demonstrate proof of payment. Camper parking also includes one vehicle parking pass to allow you to park a vehicle by your camping spot. Customers can pick up these vehicle passes (camper and vehicle) from the Fair Office the Monday or Tuesday before Fair.  

For parking questions email: parking@ozaukeecountyfair.com

We are excited to showcase your 4-H project work. Remember to practice good sportsmanship and best wishes to all for a safe, healthy and fun Fair!

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Secretary

If you have volunteered to clerk at the Fair this year, there is a training session ahead of the Fair. The iPad Training/Refresher is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30pm. Here is the link to sign up: 2026 Clerk Training

- Submitted by Jody Brzezinski, Ozaukee County Fair Secretary

Reminder that the online 4-H calendar is the best way to stay on top of the many countywide activities going on throughout the 4-H year. Bookmark it here!

Abi Quinlan, 4-H Educator

abi.quinlan@wisc.edu

Extension Ozaukee County

121 W. Main St.

Port Washington, WI 53074

262-284-8288

To help us serve you, please call for an appointment when coming to the Extension office.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.