Johnson County Fair Superintendents Make the Fair a Success Year After Year
For K-State Extension Johnson County 4-H youth, fair week is the highlight showcase event of the year. Behind every project brought before the judges are months of hard work, practice, and determination. The 4-H youth are excited to showcase their efforts, and many arrive at the fair with a sense of pride and accomplishment in their project.
4-H superintendents work behind the scenes to support the youth and their projects. On the day of judging, they are responsible for checking in entries, communicating with the judges, and assisting judges with ribbon placement. But more than the tasks, they are the coaches and cheerleaders for the youth leading up to the fair. They ask questions and support them so they have the opportunity to be recognized for their hard work, whether or not the project earns a purple ribbon. They gain experience in how to win, how to lose, and how to learn along the way.
Sue Pio has been involved in 4-H since she was 10 years old in Morris County, Kansas. Her mother was a
project leader for Foods and Clothing Construction and was foundational in her becoming a 4-H Superintendent for over 30 years. She hosts 4-H Club project meetings and teaches classes at the County Extension Office to improve skills and engagement, leading to the fair.
She enjoys seeing the expression on the Grand Champion's face each year. “To see the delight on their face when they are awarded a Kitchen Aid Mixer is so amazing. They have put in a lot of hours to get there, and we know it will be used for many years after they won it.”
"A great 4-H Superintendent doesn't just organize projects; they inspire young people to grow. She has been encouraging and supporting my daughter as she develops the confidence and leadership skills to teach educational classes and share her knowledge with others,“ says Melissa Vanderweide, a mother of a youth.
Greg May started volunteering over 30 years ago when his oldest child joined a 4-H club. One of his son’s projects was rocketry. During that time, they worked with Bill Klassen, the rocketry superintendent, and willingly shared his knowledge with any interested youth. Greg was asked to fill in occasionally and, when Bill was ready to retire, asked Greg to take on the role of superintendent.
Greg remembers one year an entry to the fair came twisted in several spots and had broken fins. The rocket’s parachute failed to deploy during the descent back down to Earth. The 4-H'er kept his sense of humor and submitted it to the county fair anyway. “He brought it to me in a handmade box that resembled a coffin, as he knew there was no bringing this rocket back to life. We had a good laugh while he spoke with the judge about what he learned during his experience. It is not always in winning that you learn your best lessons.”
“Greg always has a smile on his face and would temporarily stop what he was doing to admire and provide positive comments on every model rocket that came in. He inspired our oldest son to start a rocketry team at Kansas State University, which has gone on to win a national competition in 2025,” says Arn Eccles.
These are just two of the many outstanding volunteers who make the K-State Extension Johnson County 4-H program and the Johnson County Fair a success year after year. Through decades of dedicated service, they have touched countless lives by helping our 4-H’ers find their spark and build the vital skills they need to thrive. To everyone who has served in the past, those who are with us today, and those who will join us in the seasons to come: thank you for investing your time, talent, and heart into making the fair the best experience for our youth.
By Tracy Hemsath, Volunteer Leadership and Development Agent, 2026