2015 Washington County- Harold and Shirley Bohr

Harold and Shirley Bohr have been involved with 4-H and the Washington County Fair for a number of years in a multitude of ways.  Harold passed away in 2014 and Shirley has stepped down from some of her organizational duties.  Their smiles, cheerful ways, and helping hands have made 4-H and the fair stronger.

The list of Harold’s contributions to 4-H and the Washington County Fair is long and impressive.  He was a long time member of the Washington County Fair Board.  He also served as beef superintendent at the county fair for a number of years.  You could always count on Harold to get the livestock exhibitors to the ring on time, lined up in order, pin rate of gain cards on exhibitors, and help kids with those hard-to-handle calves.   He was one of those people who carried out his duties efficiently and quietly and with a sense of ease.  Harold also served as one of the auctioneers at the county fair livestock auction, with rabbits and poultry being his specialty. 

Shirley started the Bucket of Junk auction.  She collected junk that was made into creative sculptures.  In order to make this happen she had to find the junk, make sure she had ten sets of “look-alike” junk, sign up competitors, and deliver the junk to the budding artists.  The sculptures were auctioned off and each went to the highest bidder with the proceeds going to the 4-H program.   This very creative competition and fundraiser has raised thousands and thousands of dollars for the 4-H program in Washington County.  Shirley has probably hauled as much junk as some of our local junk dealers. 

Shirley has helped in the Open Class Division during the county fair and also organized the Twin Contest at the fair for several years. Twins of all sizes and ages came to compete in several different categories.  The group filled the stage.  It was very entertaining and also brought many people back to the area they once called home.  One year she even had a pair of twin calves enter the contest.

Members of Harold and Shirley’s family and extended family have been 4-H club leaders, fair superintendents, fair board members, county fair committee members, trophy donors, endowment donors, 4-H members, queens, grand champions, members of Extension Council, youth committee members, county council and leadership development members. They have worked with the Share-A-Calf program, helped at livestock weigh-ins, and project achievement shows.

4-H and the Washington County Fair are a family affair.  We are proud Harold and Shirley have been part of our family.