Young 4-H members brought plenty of ingredients to the Ray County Fair demonstration area, but the most important recipe called for preparation, knowledge and the confidence to share both with an audience The youth put their communication skills to the test during the 2026 Ray County Fair Demonstration and Public Speaking Contest, where participants worked through educational presentations while explaining each step to judges and audience members.

The contest is designed to help 4-H members develop communication and leadership skills. Participants are evaluated on subject knowledge, organization, presentation skills, visual aids, audience engagement and their ability to answer questions.

The food demonstrations were only part of the skills Ray County 4-H members showcased during the contest. Other participants shared their knowledge through demonstrations ranging from slime making and basic cat care to creating a tie dog bed and explaining artificial insemination in cattle.

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