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‘Step up and volunteer’

Youths, parents and others work to serve customers at 4-H food stand

Photo by Sabrina Pankrantz Denise and Brian Odegaard, parents and volunteers, are pictured in the 4-H stand before opening during the Lyon County Fair Wednesday.

MARSHALL — John and Mary Beth Sinclair were seen prepping the 4-H food stand before opening on Wednesday at the Lyon County Fair.

“It’s just something different that I do and I really enjoy it. And thank goodness for my husband, I couldn’t do it without him. We do it as a team,” Sinclair said.

Sinclair said the couple has been running the 4-H food stand for about 20 years.

“It’s really funny, I worked in it when I was a parent. I worked in it once and then I said ‘oh man this can be done better.’ So then a friend of mine she took over managing it. So she said ‘why don’t you come help me.’ I think she only worked it one year and then she said ‘it’s yours,'” Sinclair said, “I like working with the families. The families are willing to step up and volunteer.”

Sinclair said that the 4-H kids, parents, and volunteers help with the food stand every year and that money goes back in to 4-H fund.

“All the kids have to work in the food stand. They get a discount off their state fair trip if they work in the food stand too,” Sinclair said.

“We also believe it teaches them to talk to people. A lot of them don’t have jobs, so this is one way of working and that way they get the experience,” Sinclair said.

Sinclair said about 160-170 kids help with food stand between the four days at the fair.

“We were out here Sunday and they cleaned it all. We pull everything out from the winter and they scrub the whole thing down,” Sinclair said.

Sinclair said you have to be over 18 for the grill and the fryer and parents will do that while the kids run the front windows and take orders.

“In the kitchen it depends on if the child does anything at home. Do they know how to make a salad? The steamer you have to be 16 or older,” Sinclair said.

Adults man the cash register and the kids will also help with giving free water, and getting drinks for customers, and wipe down tables.

“It’s a learning experience for them,” Sinclair said.

The 4-H food stand will be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. today through Sunday. They will serve breakfast in the morning, burgers, fries, chicken strips, corn dogs, walking tacos, chicken salad, and more.

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