'Good way to go': Kids, animals the stars for Stratham 4-H Summerfest

Karen Dandurant, Portsmouth Herald
·3 min read

STRATHAM — Alyson Bronnenberg, who heads the Merrimack County 4-H Oxbows, watched proudly from the stands Saturday as her daughter Lindsay, 11, worked with two steer in the judging ring.

"This is one of our qualifying events," said Bronnenberg, who recalled doing her own showings with her sisters in 1996. "The goal is to make it to the Eastern States Expo, kind of their Olympics. She is doing pretty good."

The event Saturday was the Stratham 4-H Summerfest, a replacement for the Stratham Fair, which was held for more than 50 years but has been called off in recent years amid the coronavirus pandemic. This year, there were no traveling carnival rides and the many other vendors that travel the fair circuit for multi-day events. It was a one-day mini-fair of sorts, focused on 4-H kids with agriculture and animals at Stratham Hill Park.

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Lindsay Bronnenberg of Loudon follows in her mom Alyson's 4-H footsteps during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Lindsay Bronnenberg of Loudon follows in her mom Alyson's 4-H footsteps during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Bronnenberg said the kids doing the event get their pair of calves after they are born.

"They start with halter training and basic commands," she said. "They eventually put the animals to yoke and attach those for training to a wheel, or a log."

The Summerfest event featured a dog show, too.

Holly Lewis, an alumni of the 4-H dog show, now judges and helps guide younger kids working with their dogs during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Holly Lewis, an alumni of the 4-H dog show, now judges and helps guide younger kids working with their dogs during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.

"This is the 12-15 age group (age of the kids)," said Holly Lewis, an organizer. "They are judged on showmanship, control, presentation. Their dogs need to pass obedience, the usual like sit, stay."

Dotty Thompson, owner of Legacy Lane Farm in Stratham, offered a petting zoo with baby goats. It was wildly popular.

"I come to the fair every year," Thompson said. "I love the way this is today. It's what it should be like. We're here for the animals and for the kids."

Shawn Chapin, 9, of Stratham, was more than ready to try his skills as a future farmer during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Shawn Chapin, 9, of Stratham, was more than ready to try his skills as a future farmer during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Dan Crow, president of the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department Association, has said the new event was held with kids in mind. It's not known what will happen next year.

"There is no official decision about the fair," said Allison Knabb, a member of the town's Select Board. "This year, 4-H reached out to us and it seemed a good way to go, to have this for the kids."

The event was free, with donations accepted. Unlike the traditional Stratham Fair, the event was not a fundraiser and donations will go toward the costs of the day. Knabb said Summerfest was organized by the town's police, fire and recreation departments.

Pie eating contestants prepare to devour pies during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Pie eating contestants prepare to devour pies during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.

4-H — which stands for head, heart, hands and health — is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that offers training in agriculture and other disciplines to young people. 4-H is offered locally through Strafford County and the University of New Hampshire.

Robin Simard of Farmington was so taken by a baby goat that she is now considering getting goats of her own. She had many questions for Dotty Thompson, owner of Legacy Hill Farm during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Robin Simard of Farmington was so taken by a baby goat that she is now considering getting goats of her own. She had many questions for Dotty Thompson, owner of Legacy Hill Farm during the Stratham 4-H Summerfest at Stratham Hill Park Saturday, July 16, 2022.

Summerfest featured projects done by 4-H members, livestock judging, agricultural programs, an antique tractor show and a pie-eating contest .

The Fire Department had its food shack open, and Hodgie's provided an ice cream stand.

Live music, provided by Fretbenders, and magic shows by BJ Hickman ran throughout the day.

The inaugural Stratham police vs. fire softball game was planned for late afternoon to cap the day.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Stratham 4-H Summerfest: Kids, animals are the stars