, 
, 
The Kinsinger and Nath families are no strangers to the Rock County Fair and 4-H.
In 2020 the (un)fair became a 4-H Showcase when the coronavirus pandemic caused the traditional summer event to be canceled.
Mom Teresa (Nath) Kinsinger was a first-generation 4-H’er decades ago, and the tradition of exhibiting projects the last week in July has become a mainstay in the Kinsinger household.
This year’s (un)fair will have regular fair dates, Wednesday, July 22, through Saturday, Aug. 1, and the Kinsinger family will be part of the new setup.
Daughter Brianna said Monday she was excited for the local 4-H Showcase to get underway this week.
Brianna joined 76 other 4-H’ers who entered projects for the Showcase.
She entered several static (non-livestock) projects by recording her answers to questions about each item last week. This is her fifth year in 4-H.
“It’s still the same feeling with the excitement and the anticipation of getting a ribbon,” the upcoming Luverne eighth-grader said.
Each static project exhibitor submitted videos to be evaluated by 4-H judges who will award ribbons at the end of this week.
The livestock shows began Wednesday and continue through Saturday at the fairgrounds. 4-H’ers had the option of submitting a video of their animals, instead of attending the live events.
The public can watch the shows virtually at the Rock County, 4-H, MN Facebook site.
After the cancelations of most of the county fairs in the state, the U of M Extension developed the 4-H Showcase. Each county 4-H program then decided how their Showcase would be conducted.
In Rock County, the in-person livestock shows were spread out over four days to allow exhibitors to come and go between shows. Each exhibitor must wear a mask and only a limited number of 4-H’ers can be in or near the show ring at one time.
Having the in-person shows hinged on whether or not there would be enough adult and older 4-H members to help with 82 duties. Volunteer work ranged from handing out ribbons to temperature checks to bathroom cleanings after every use.
Last week all the slots were filled and the Showcase could proceed.
“I am extremely thankful that we can set it up this way this year,” said Nathan Kinsinger, a sixth-year 4-H’er.
The incoming ninth-grader said he’s disappointed he won’t earn a trip to the canceled Minnesota State Fair, but he is grateful for the local opportunity.
“As long as I get to show, I’m happy,” he said.
For months Nathan has worked with his market gilt and heifer calf alongside his older brother, Michael.
The two regularly hauled their livestock to open shows during the spring and summer, but the local fair and trips to the state fair were opportunities to connect with the friends Michael made when he was a state 4-H ambassador.
In his last year of 4-H, Michael considered not taking his beef and swine projects to this week’s Showcase.
“After 13 years it seems kind of wrong not to show up,” he said. “The fair has always been a part of summer.”
Virtual show schedule
Wednesday, July 29
8 a.m. Rabbit
2 p.m. Poultry
5 p.m. Dairy
Thursday, July 30
8 a.m. Swine
1 p.m. Sheep
5 p.m. Goat
Friday, July 31
8:30 a.m. Beef
Saturday, Aug. 1
8 a.m. Horseless Horse
9 a.m. Pleasure Horse
Afternoon Game Horse