Cusick was introduced to 4-H by her mother, Carrie Cusick, who was a 4-H participant, too, and now serves as a club adviser.
Lilli Cusick’s projects have been in sewing and quilting with this year’s project a wool coat. She credits her great-grandmother for teaching her how to sew when she was about age 10.
“I was kind of surprised that I enjoyed it. It took so much patience. It helped me focus, which was good for me for school,” she said of sewing. She also enjoys quilting and has had a couple of quilting projects as well. “It was a blast,” she said of the quilting efforts. “You got to pick colors, whatever patterns you wanted.”
The 4-H experience has touched several parts of her life. “I have made a lot of friends from outside of Troy because of 4-H,” she said. “It teaches you so many life skills. People today have a hole in their sock and throw it away when you can stitch it up.”
Cusick’s siblings – a sister and twin young brothers – all are or have participated in 4-H.
She plans to study speech and language pathology at the University of Toledo.
Cusick was a gymnast since age 4, participating in Gem City Gymnastics as well as on the Troy High School team. She also participated in band and in track in pole vaulting.
The 4-H experience was an enjoyable one, she said.
“It was an amazing opportunity. I am very glad that I got to participate,” she said.
Fair leaders said the 2019 version is part of an attempt to get more young people involved again in the fair.
Nick Shellenberger is the new fair manager as well as fair board president. The fair previously had a secretary/manager, a position changed after last year’s event.
Shellenberger said five of his eight children will be involved in this year’s fair activities.
“I wanted to get involved with this for my children. I had a really good experience with junior fair and wanted it to be available for them,” he said.
Some changes will be made to this year’s fair with a return to old ways possible, if needed, he said.
“It seemed like things were kind of stagnant the last couple of years. We wanted to change up the entertainment a little bit,” said Shellenberger, who lives on a farm near Pleasant Hill.
The camping area has been expanded some this year in hopes of reducing a camping list.
Activities wise, the calf and pig scramble are returning, and the draft horse show will be reintroduced following a few years absence. Among other activities will be an antique tractor pull, demolition derby, two nights of harness racing, a visit by the Dinosaur Xperience and the usual array of Junior Fair activities.
The fair has held a concert at the fairgrounds stadium for several years, but that event has been bypassed for 2019.
Fair admission is $5 daily at the gate for those ages 9 and older. Season passes are $25 and senior citizens, veterans and first responders will be admitted free on Aug. 14.
For more information visit www.miamicountyohiofair.com.
Contact this contributing writer at nancykburr@aol.com
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