The Colusa County 4-H “Make it and Take it” Craft Expo on Saturday had youth and adults of all ages making Christmas ornaments and other projects.
Local clubs, parents, and volunteers hosted about a dozen different craft projects, with all the supplies needed provided to the public at cost, ranging from $1 to $10.
The event was hosted by the Colusa County 4-H Council, a group of 4-H members and adults, who are passionate about the program and provide ideas and opinions about the way the local 4-H program is run.
Many members of local 4-H clubs manned booths to teach a craft before doing a few crafts themselves.
“I enjoyed spending time with my friends and working one of our booths,” said Gia Rudiger, 10, of Maxwell, a second-year 4-H member. “We made wish bracelets. It’s like friendship bracelets but you make a wish on them.”
Rudiger, who will show her second steer at the Colusa County Fair this summer, said she thought the youth who made the bracelets found the craft fun.
After a slow morning start, the number of people that turned out to do crafts far exceeded the organizers’ expectations.
“We had a really good turnout for a Saturday in November, and our first year back doing it,” said Kristy Santucci, the new 4-H program representative. “I’m really excited.”
Erin Dennis, 12, a sixth grader in Maxwell, is a four year member of 4-H.
Dennis, who shows livestock, photography, and crafts at the Colusa County Fair, said the Craft Expo was a great way for youth to learn how or practice the crafts that you love and plan to enter the Colusa County Fair for judging.
“I think I enjoyed the leather stamping the most,” said Dennis, who along with Rudiger, is looking forward to a normal Colusa County Fair, with all its usual activities, food, and entertainment.
The 4-H Craft Expo on Saturday brought clubs together from all over Colusa County under the roof of the Main Exhibit Hall at the Colusa County Fairgrounds.
The Colusa County 4-H Program currently serves approximately 480 youth annually, with clubs located in Colusa, Princeton, Maxwell, and Arbuckle.
To learn more about 4-H opportunities for youth and adult volunteers (project leaders), visit cecolusa.ucanr.edu/4-H_Program/ or call 458-0570. ■