Ames, Iowa -- Fairgoers will find a wealth of exhibits and activities for youth and adults in the 4-H Exhibits Building during the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 11-21.

Hands-on activities abound throughout the building. Beginning at the door, youngsters can acquire 4-H tattoos and embark on an indoors journey. Each day at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. youth and adults can step up to working exhibits where they can create new foods or crafts (past offerings included salad-on-a-stick or holiday ornaments) or test a scientific fact or formula (try making silly putty with detergent or testing rock hardness with a penny).

Fairgoers can check out biotechnology and how it affects humans through an interactive 3-D model of a fermentation process. The exhibit shows a biological system that works for humans to make products used for food and demonstrates variables important to a living microbial system. Special 3-D glasses will be provided for the presentation, offered through 4-H and Indian Hills Community College.

Visitors to the Exhibits Building also can create greeting cards that will be sent to deployed Iowa soldiers. Called Operation Greet a Hero, the project is offered through the State 4-H Council as part of ISU Extension 4-H Youth Development work with the U.S. Army’s Operation Military Kids.

Nearly 4,000 exhibits will invite the viewer to study a subject or technique, reconsider preferred methods, or simply take a trip down memory lane -- the family heritage section will concentrate on barns, schoolhouses, and family farms this year. Throughout the fair, more than 1,000 communication performances take place, including the working exhibits, presentations, extemporaneous speaking and Share-the-Fun acts (talent acts staged each day at noon and 5 p.m.).

Some 4-H members will discuss their exhibits with high-profile volunteers at Celebrity Judging events staged in the building. Although not the official exhibit judging, the events allow youth to interact with adult experts in specific project areas. This year's celebrity judges include Gregory Geoffroy, ISU President; John Gaps III, community publications director of the Des Moines Register; Karol DeWulf Nickell, editor of "Better Homes and Gardens"; Christie Vilsack, Iowa's first lady; and Garrison Keillor, host of NPR's Prairie Home Companion.

Some 50 different 4-H members will model fashions demonstrating consumer and sewing skills each day at 4 p.m., Aug. 11-13. Judging for this Clothing Event takes place at Merle Hay Mall each morning, with outstanding participants announced at the Exhibits Building style show.

Kool-Aid dyed quilt squares also will make a showing in the building. Hundreds of youth created quilt squares at the Des Moines Art Festival, dying them with Kool-Aid. The squares, now pieced together into quilt tops, can be seen throughout the fair.  

Elsewhere on the fairgrounds more than 2,000 4-H'ers join forces with other exhibitors to make the fair one of the world’s largest livestock shows. Fairgoers can enjoy 4-H beef, dairy, goat, dog, horse, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine shows as well as special skill-a-thons that allow participants to learn more about various breeds and animal husbandry.

 ISU Extension will have several webcams at various locations at the state fair. To view the webcams or get more information about ISU Extension activities at the state fair, visit www.extension.iastate.edu.

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