Island County Fair starts today. It’s the annual celebration of Whidbey Island’s rural roots and continued dedication to preserving the earth’s bounty. As always, 4-H projects factor highly in competitions and interest levels. Local 4-H groups will demonstrate their proficiencies in animal husbandry and needlework.

And 4-H kids will be showing off their skills in mechanics, genetics, dietitics and aesthetics. This century’s 4-H members are just as likely to show flair for interpretive dance as they are barrel-racing.

In Oak Harbor, members of Crafts and Creatures Kids touched up their scrapbooks. This group of kids spends as much time with animals — members raise horses, rabbits, chickens — as they do other hands-on projects — cooking, gardening, clowning.

“We do a little bit of everything,” A.J. Tarasoff, 15, said.

“4-H is a great outlet for kids,” his mother Laura agreed. “4-H sets no limits on what kids can do.”

Woody Dixon, 14, and his sister Heather, 9, hurried in to work on their scrapbook pages. Woody polished a public presentation on the art and science of tree houses. He has built three perches in different trees and recommends building in Douglas fir. “Aspen is weak and too spongy and the tree is easily killed,” he said. “Fir is great except for pitch.”

Hannah discussed horse grooming with Ashley Karsh, 10. “I’ll be running an equine beauty parlor,” this year she said. She also planned a dance for performing arts.

“It’s great to go around the fair and see what each club does,” Robin Karsh said as she helped son Kody with his scrapbook page. Kody, 7, is the youngest club member; as a primary member he will participate in the fair but his entries won’t be in competition.

But Kody didn’t mind. He was excited about preparing his scrapbook and talked about his love of nature and grasshoppers in particular.

“Grasshoppers are cool ‘cause they can fly and hop,” he said explaining his fascination with the creatures.

Robin Karsh and Laura Tarasoff like 4-H for its diversity.

“4-H has changed since I was growing up,” Tarasoff said.

“It maintains traditions while it changes as society grows,” Karsh added.

Their children don’t think about the evolution and adaptation 4-H has made. They simply enjoy their club.

“We’re out doing something all the time,” Grace Tarasoff said. “We’re not rotting in front of the TV.”

Island County Fair runs Aug. 11-17 in Langley. Go to www.islandcountyfair.org. A special section on the fair is inside today’s Whidbey News-Times.