Springfield, IL - The Lake County and McHenry County Fairs represent the culmination of months of learning, preparation, and dedication by local 4-H youth, volunteers, families, and community partners. This year's exhibitors once again demonstrated the incredible breadth of opportunities available through 4-H, showcasing projects ranging from honey production and model rocketry to leadership development, livestock, creative arts, STEM, and much more.
While the ribbons and awards recognize outstanding achievements, they tell only part of the story. Behind every exhibit is a year of goal setting, skill building, problem solving, and personal growth. The county fairs provide youth with the opportunity to share what they have learned, receive constructive feedback, and celebrate their accomplishments with their communities.
These events would not be possible without the extraordinary commitment of hundreds of volunteers, fair superintendents, judges, committee members, and Extension staff who work throughout the year to organize project experiences, coordinate exhibits, support youth development, and ensure successful fair events. Their dedication creates meaningful learning opportunities that help young people develop confidence, leadership, responsibility, and lifelong skills.
We are also deeply grateful to our community sponsors and to the Lake County Fair Association and McHenry County Fair Association. Through their partnership and support, these long-standing community traditions continue to provide valuable educational experiences for local youth while strengthening connections across our counties.
As stakeholders and supporters of 4-H, we invite you to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our exhibitors and the collective effort that makes these events possible. The success of the county fairs is a reflection of what can be achieved when youth, volunteers, families, organizations, and community partners invest in the growth and development of the next generation.
View Fair Results:
Thank you to everyone who contributes their time, expertise, resources, and encouragement to support 4-H youth and help ensure the continued success of these important community events. Together, we are creating opportunities for young people to learn, lead, serve, and succeed.
About Illinois 4-H:
Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension, administered through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Through hands-on learning and life-changing experiences, Illinois 4-H prepares youth to be Beyond Ready — ready for college, career, military service, entrepreneurship, and more. Young people build confidence, leadership, and resilience as they explore interests from agriculture to computer science. Independent research and national surveys confirm the powerful outcomes of 4-H: participants are 40% more likely to pursue a college degree, twice as likely to obtain technical training, and two times more likely to serve in the military. With a legacy of cultivating leaders, Illinois 4-H continues to grow the next generation who are equipped to thrive in life and work today and beyond. University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution.
Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.