Cape May Court House - The Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program invites guests to build, craft, create and learn what it takes to become a "maker" at the Maker Space, in the Lockwood 4-H Youth Center, during the 4-H Fair on July 19, 20 and 21.

A maker is someone who creates something and the maker community consists of a wide variety of interests and skill levels, from industry experts to garage tinkerers. It can be a full-time job for some or a weekend project for others. The types of people who identify as makers is just as varied, from those who focus on home crafts, baking and preserving, to electronics experts to woodworkers, welders and 3D modelers.

Many makers are hobbyists, enthusiasts or students, but they also offer a wealth of innovation, a passion for creating new products and for producing value in the community. Some makers become entrepreneurs and start companies.

Maker Space is an interactive experience at the 4-H Fair where invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and the people that make it happen, all come together. Jeff Trout, supervisor of the Technology Learning Center at the Cape May County Library is excited to be coming back to the 4-H Fair with new maker technology and old favorites. “We will be bringing new coding robots including Code and Go Mice and Ozobots. We also have a Human Coding Game this year, the popular button maker and drone simulator, and plenty of additional technology for fair visitors to enjoy.”

“I really enjoy the 4-H Fair. I’ve been coming since I was a kid, Jeff continues, and I’m glad to be involved again this year.”

The maker space will run all day, each day of the fair, with demos that will run all day long and projects displayed based on a schedule that will be posted post each day. Projects and demos will include circuitry and electronics, programming, robotics of various kinds, crafts, and the intersection of all these things.

Linda Horner, 4-H Program Coordinator, said “The maker space has been a success the past few years that we decided to bring it back again this year. We would love for members of the community to stop by the maker space and show us what they’ve made.”

Fair-goers can expect to see many of the things they have come to enjoy at this year’s fair including livestock and equestrian shows, chicken BBQ, vendors, and pony rides. Plus attractions, such as, a Children’s Discovery Farm, a 4-H Color Fun Run on Saturday at 8 a.m., and a Children’s Pet Show on Saturday at 10 a.m. Also, children are invited to attend Peter Rabbit’s Harvest Party, a new event on Friday night. Children will harvest vegetables, enjoy healthy snacks and have a visit from a celebrity guest.

New entertainment this year includes Cowboy Larry and Brave Beth with two shows on Saturday complete with trick roping, bullwhips, trick shooting and more. Plus Cowboy Larry will stroll the fairgrounds entertaining and making our young visitors his deputy sheriffs. Jet Weston and His Atomic Ranch Hands, authentic singing cowboys, have been added to the line-up performing on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. on the main stage.

Mark Your Calendars for the Fair: The annual 4-H fair runs July 19-21 at the 4-H fairgrounds located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House. Public hours for the fair are noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free and there is a host of fun events Thursday through Saturday. Limited premium parking is available at the Atlantic Cape Community College campus, located next door to the fairgrounds, for a suggested $5 donation.

Free parking is available at the Crest Haven Complex with shuttle bus service to the fairgrounds starting at noon from the Cape May County Technical School on Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday. Buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and fully handicapped accessible. Take exit 11 east off the Garden State Parkway, and look for parking directions.

The 4-H Youth Development program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County. Volunteers are always needed to assist at the 4-H Fair. Please call (609) 465-5115 ext. 3605 for more information. Learn more about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program and the 4-H Fair at the 4-H Foundation website cmc4h.com