State Fair
University of Delaware has strong presence at Delaware State Fair
12:40 p.m., Aug. 3, 2011--The University of Delaware had a strong presence at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington, with volunteers staffing an information booth, providing brochures about programs offered by the University and handing out more than 7,000 reusable UD-blue "Dare to be first" shopping bags.
Response to the University by those attending the State Fair was positive, according to Rick Armitage, UD director of community and state government relations.
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Armitage said the UD booth received visits from members of the University Board of Trustees and a number of state legislators and staff members, in addition to alumni, students and the general public.
State Fair officials were complimentary of the University's expanded presence, Armitage said, adding he believes UD will consider continuing that presence in the future.
Armitage said the reusable UD shopping bags "were a hit," with supplies running low most evenings. By the last few nights of the fair, people were coming to the booth and asking for the bags, he said.
UD representatives at the booth were able to answer a number of questions on a variety of topics, ranging from the Associate in Arts Program to academic programs offered in Southern Delaware to football season tickets, Armitage said.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Cooperative Extension and 4-H programs continued their longstanding presence at the State Fair. 4-H has been a part of the fair since its inception and according to fair officials is still one of the fair’s largest draws.
According to Mark Manno, interim state 4-H program leader, 4-H had more than 10,000 exhibits in the 4-H building alone. After 4-H vegetable exhibits were judged, Manno said, two vegetables were left in each basket with the remainder -- a total of 502 pounds -- donated to the Milford Food Bank.
Both the UDairy Creamery and the University of Delaware Bookstore were on hand to provide discount coupons, and there were State Fair appearances by popular University mascot YoUDee and members of the Fightin' Blue Hens football team.
Armitage said young people flocked to YoUDee, adding that the mascot "made friends with lots of young fair patrons" but did not bond so well with a mechanical bull, getting thrown.
"Alumni who stopped by were very happy to see us there and wanted to chat about their great experiences at UD," said Katy O'Connell, CANR communications manager. "The booth was also a hit for parents and grandparents with students already at UD, who were happy to take UD Bookstore and UDairy Creamery coupons. All of the feedback that I heard was very positive."
A Delaware resident from Townsend was the winner of an iPad, selected in a drawing from more than 3,000 surveys completed at the UD booth.
Armitage thanked University units that supplied booth volunteers, citing the Water Resources Agency, the Center for Disabilities Studies, CANR Communications, the Office of the Executive Vice President, the Alumni and University Relations office in Southern Delaware, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at UD, the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration, Student Centers and Public Safety.
He also thanked the Office of Communications and Marketing, University Printing and Receiving for supplies used at the booth.
Photos by Danielle Quigley and courtesy UD Athletics