STREET FAIR TRADITION CONTINUES WITH 4-H PANCAKE BOOTH

As the Bluffton Street Fair celebrates its 100th anniversary, it has many other traditions that go along with it.

One of those traditions is the 4-H Pancake & Sausage Booth located on Market Street
just northwest of the courthouse.

In fact, 2010 will be the 61st year for the 4-H Pancake & Sausage Booth. However, 4-H has an even longer history with the Street Fair. 4-H youth in Wells County first began exhibiting canned goods, corn and livestock at the 1923 Street Fair and continued until 1949.

In 1950 4-H switched to a summer fair in order to give youth an opportunity to exhibit at the State Fair which was held in late August.

Through the 61 years, the menu has not changed much. The volunteers still cook up some great buttermilk pancakes, whole hog sausage and ham. In addition, the booth serves grilled cheese sandwiches, sausage sandwiches and new this year will be a pork burger.

Volunteers all across the county help with the booth. This yearís shift chair people include: Lancaster, Rob & Jenni Hoover; Harrison, Janet Ramseyer; Liberty, Leah Sills; Chester, Aimee & Doug Paxson; PATRIOTS 4-H Club, Cindy Mossburg; Jefferson, Cindy Meyer and Ronda Flesch; Jackson, Kelly Jones; Nottingham, Shari Hook; Rockcreek / Union, Julie Smith; and Horse & Pony Club, Ray Carroll and Mary Nolan.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the booth should contact the Wells County Extension Office, 824-6412.

This yearís booth features new canvas sides and a new arching roof along with a fresh coat of paint to match.

The booth will open each morning (Wednesday ñ Saturday) at 7 AM and continue throughout the day and evening.

The purpose of the 4-H booth also has not changed through the years. The profit from the booth helps to support the 4-H program with the purchase of ribbons for the fair and sending youth on educational 4-H trips along with assisting with 4-H Park upkeep.

Many people make a traditional stop at the Pancake Booth sometime during the fair to enjoy food and to watch the volunteers turn out those pancakes and sausage.

So enjoy the 100th anniversary and help 4-H celebrate 61 plus years of being at the Street Fair.