Bidders, businesses, and the public are invited to the Fort Belknap 2021 4-H Fair. The event will take place from August 12-13 in Lodge Pole, Montana, at the Wasay Wakpa Arena and Powwow Grounds.

The Market Animal Weigh-in and Horsemanship Showing are scheduled for Thursday, August 12. This will be a working ranch horse showing, with roping, sorting, and other exhibitions by the horses and their riders.

Then, on Friday, August 13, the fair will feature 4-H Exhibits, Market Livestock Showmanship and Judging, Project Interviews Judging, and the 4-H Livestock Auction. Concessions will also be available.

Montana State University (MSU) Fort Belknap Extension, a provider of educational outreach and a sponsor of the fair, encourages the public to 'Save the Dates' and come out to support the Fort Belknap Reservation youth. "Join us at our fair to support 4-H and our youth," said Liz Werk, who is an Ag Extension Agent and one of the event's organizers.

"We have invited various vendors, but these might be limited since travel restrictions and other limitations due to the pandemic kept people from planning ahead," Werk explained.

Werk reports that she is expecting participation from three 4-H Clubs in the Fort Belknap Indian Community: Lucky Charms at Dodson, Wildhorse at the Agency, and Little Rockies at Hays. "Most of the participation will be coming from members of the Lucky Charms Club," she said.

According to Werk, "About twelve of the youth will be showing steers and another six will show and sell their hogs. Steer showmanship will be a new experience for some of them. We also have youth engaged with many other projects, from photography to sewing and baking."

Werk attributed the decreased participation numbers to a variety of barriers created by the pandemic. "The facility renovations that we hoped for last year came to a screeching halt with COVID, but I am super proud of those young people who have stuck with their projects and are following through. Their animals look good, the kids are excited, and it will be good to give people access to local meat with the auction," Werk stated. "Our goal was to give the kids an opportunity to showcase their work, so despite being small, we are meeting that goal."

Any questions about the 4-H Fair can be directed to Werk by calling 390-3080.