The Story County Youth Fair is for more than just youth.

Mary Wilkins, County 4-H Youth Coordinator, said the fair can be a great substitute for students in Ames who can’t make it to their hometown fairs.

“I love the fair. Since I can’t go home, this is a way to get part of it,” said Kimberly De Jong, a county extension intern and a senior in family and consumer sciences education and studies.

This is De Jong’s second summer as an intern. Her younger years were spent being involved with her local 4-H chapter.”I showed pigs, sheep, cattle . I did food and nutrition. I tried to do everything,” she said.

Wilkins stressed the fair is a great learning environment. She said people can gain several different perspectives and even find themselves inspired by the youth.

“You just never know what you’re gonna learn at the county fair,” she said.

The annual six-day fair, which kicks off Friday, highlights projects of 4-H and Future Farmers of America members, two long-standing youth organizations dedicated to improving rural life and agricultural education.

The projects, however, include more than livestock. Photography, artwork, fashion, food, nutrition and more is exhibited annually.

Demonstrations and exhibits outside these organizations are welcome provided they have an obvious learning component. Fair officials refuse to allow commercial business, rides or other attractions to be involved.

Michelle Gibson, who serves on the Story County Fair Board, said the board “decided to focus strictly on the youth and their achievements.”

“We want it to be all about the kids,” she said.

New in 2007 is a robotics demonstration, a rainfall simulator and a 4-H alumni reunion.

The fairgrounds also sport remodeled restrooms and newly installed air conditioning in Christy Hall.

For the most part, however, the fair hasn’t changed much. Wilkins said the past five years have been steady in terms of attendance and entries, and all the favorite events are still around: the celebrity milk-off, livestock judging contests and the supreme showman contest.

“I think everyone should make their way to the fair, that’s for sure,” De Jong said.