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By Bill McCann

Contributing Writer

Despite clouds and impending threats of rain, many area farmers and their supporters came to town on Saturday to celebrate and encourage agriculture in Clark County.

For the first time in recent memory, the Clark County Farm Bureau, local Future Farmers of America (FFA), and 4-H came to Depot Street to hold a street fair – Agventures on Depot – that attracted perhaps several hundred people, including lots of children.

“For the past few years, we’ve held this event out in the county. This year we wanted to come to town to see if we couldn’t attract a different group,” said Jeremy Jones, the president of Clark County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors.

From 1-4 p.m. along Depot Street, there was lots to see and do, including a petting zoo of horses,  antique tractors, modern street and road equipment, a fire truck, and even a Gilkinson Farms drone.

Free hotdogs, ice cream, and water were available. So were free squishy pigs and cows, honey samples, potholders, pencils, pens, and coloring books, to name only some freebies available to those who attended.          

“We’re very hopeful that this will be a successful event. We’re giving kids opportunities to get involved with 4-H or FAA. For instance, children can sign up here today for 4-H,” said Lauren Mink Frazer of Clark County Farm Bureau.

Following Saturday’s Agventures event on Depot Street, the Clark County Farm Bureau’s Farm-to-Table dinner was scheduled. More than 200 tickets for this year’s dinner sold out in just 48 hours.

“No one had to get the phone to sell tickets to this year’s dinner,” Frazer said.

Sponsors for Agventures included: Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Proud, Stockyards Bank & Trust, Clark County Cooperative Extension, Southern Songbird Farm, Clark County Antique and Farm Equipment Club, Gilkison Farm, For Hank’s Sake, Clark County Cattleman’s Association, Sheep & Goat Producers, Paris Stock Yards, Taylor Cattle Company, My Father’s Garden, Sarabee Designs, and Shepherds Forge.

Based on the turnout on Depot street for Agventures, sponsors were bound to be pleased that so many came out on an overcast, misty, and rainy day to experience the country in the middle of a city.