THE DUBOIS COUNTY FAIR
4-H is a family tradition across the country, but in rural communities like there are in Southern Indiana, it is regarded by many as the best week of the year. Farming families work 24-7, but the moments of joy and pride of putting in a hard day of work more than make up for the aching muscles. The fair offers a week where 4-H'ers worlds collide: they can spend time with their with friends and relatives while caring for their livestock, working on projects and enjoying the other fair attractions.
Cousins Isaac Uebelhor of Birdseye, 12, and Jacob Uebelhor of Ferdinand, 9, played basketball at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds on July 15, 2014. They were later joined by Garrett Bertz of Schnellville, 12, and Chase Verkamp of St. Anthony, 10, for a pickup game.
Kylie Giesler of Ferdinand, 12, left, Amber Theising of Schnellville, 12, Hannah Schwenk of Jasper, 11, and Kennedy Sermersheim of St. Anthony, 12, Emma Hassfurther of Ferdinand, 12, and Mady Partinheimer of Ferdinand, 12, washed off after a shaving cream fight at the cattle barn at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds on July 19, 2014.
Brayden Wineinger, 17, left, tickles his girlfriend Harlee Zehr, 15, both of Dubois, while Nick Weigel of Schnellville, 17, naps in the cattle barn at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds on July 16, 2014. The barns become home bases for 4-H'ers throughout the week. Folks eat, sleep and play cards in between livestock shows.
Annie Brake of Jasper, 12, sat in between Lizzy and Ellie, Black Angus cows at the cattle barn at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds on July 16, 2014.
Jake Epple of St. Anthony, 10, snoozed as the sun rose in the horse barn at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds on July 16, 2014. His mother was the first shift in the barn, so they got there before the first light of the day.
Gabe Sermersheim of Ferdinand, 11, was pulled out the pile of sawdust in which his friends buried him at the abandoned swine barn at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds on July 16, 2014. Sickness among swine prompted organizers to cancel the swine show this year.
Marissa Weisman of Ireland, Ind., was crowned 2014 Dubois County 4-H Queen by the 2013 Queen, Brooke Wessel of Jasper at the Dubois County 4-H Queen Contest at Jasper High School on July 6, 2014. Behind Weisman is Jenna Steckler, 16, of Dale, who was crowned 1st Runner Up 2014 Jr. Miss Dubois County.
Fairgoers rode the swings at sunset at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds on July 18, 2014.
Emily Kuhlman, 14, Lindsey Mehringer, 15, and Addie Bueltel, 15, all of Jasper, played in inflatable balls at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds at dusk on July 15, 2014.