DATE:     10/2/97
CONTACT:  Diane Smathers, (864) 656-2414
          Deborah Thomason, (864) 656-5721
WRITER:   Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343

State Fair kicks off 4-H Week on Saturday

     COLUMBIA -- Saturday, Oct. 4, will be 4-H Day at the South
Carolina State Fair.
     "Volunteer leaders and 4-H'ers will be admitted free," sad
Diane Smathers, head of the Department of Family and Youth
Development at Clemson University.
     The special day kicks off 4-H Week at the fair, coinciding
with a national observance proclaimed by President Clinton.
     "Barbecues and banquets will be held by many county 4-H
programs across the state. In addition, the fair will fly the 4-H
flag the entire week, and 4-H banners will be on display in
downtown Columbia," Smathers said.
     About 78,000 South Carolinians ages 5-19 are members of the
youth educational program sponsored by the Clemson University
Cooperative Extension Service. The program, more than 75 years
old, relies on nearly 3,500 adult volunteers and nearly 400 teen
volunteers in the state.
     Deborah Thomason, one of the Extension specialists who works
closely with 4-H, said 4-H activities will begin Saturday morning
with a Public Policy Quiz Bowl in the WIS-TV tent between 9:30
and 11:30.
     "The 4-H'ers from six counties will be asked questions on
topics such as the history of 4-H and the history of South
Carolina," she said.  
     Other events will include the Junior Dairy Show, a 4-H cow
milking contest, the Junior Swine Show, the Junior and Open Horse
Shows and the regular 4-H exhibits and craft displays.
     Thomason said Clemson University President Constantine
Curris has approved the flying of the 4-H flag over Tillman Hall
on campus during 4-H Week.

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