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If you go

What: 2008 Ohio State Fair.

When: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., today through Aug. 10.

Where: Ohio Expo Center, Columbus (just west of I-71 north).

Tickets: $10 adults, $8 youth (5-12), $8 seniors, children younger than 5, free.

Parking: $5 all day.

Rides: $1 coupons; all-day wristbands $20.

4-H members exhibiting from Washington County: 63.

For more information: (614) 644-3247.

For Jennifer Atkins, 17, of Oak Grove, the 2008 Ohio State Fair offers an opportunity for one more state title.

Today's the big fair's opening day, and Atkins and her family plan to be there for the competition.

A senior at Marietta High School, Atkins took first place in the state last year with a technical project about electricity. For Best in State, she earned a clock trophy, ribbons and bragging rights to bring back to her home county.

"I think that last year was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but I would love to place first this year, too," Atkins said Tuesday.

She is among 63 local youth who will represent Washington County at the 2008 Ohio State Fair, according to Amanda Brooks, 4-H program assistant with the Ohio State University Extension, Washington County.

Every sort of project, from Atkins' newest - about the health dangers of tobacco use - to veterinary science, interior design, ATVs, food, photography, clothing and textiles, livestock and dog training will be represented by local 4-H club members, Brooks said.

"Club members competed locally in project judging July 14 to qualify for the state fair," Brooks said. "There are actually at least 80 4-H'ers who qualified, but 63 are representatives and the rest alternates."

Atkins, a member of the Oak Grove 4-Fold Club, has been in 4-H for 10 years. Most youth who qualify for the state fair will not compete at the county level, but often exhibit their projects at the Washington County Fair later in the summer.

Haley Bonar, 13, of Marietta has a week to go until her state competition in clothing and sewing on Aug. 6.

"I like meeting new people from all over the state," Bonar said. "I'm really excited."

Her sewing project is a polka-dot three-piece outfit - shorts, shirt, and matching vest - that she plans to wear to school at Marietta Middle School this fall.

Her sister, Kaitlyn, is competing in photography.

The sisters' grandmother, Charlotte Wagner of Lowell, has been a 4-H club adviser for 62 years. Before that, she was a member of 4-H. Her granddaughters and another member of her Lowell Lively Lassies and Lads group are going to the state fair.

"They learn a lot of social skills and leadership skills," Wagner said. "I've been up there the last four or five years with my granddaughters."

Wagner said competing at the state level builds self-confidence and fosters responsibility, no matter what project the 4-H member tackles.

"It's a totally different experience at the state fair," she said. "I enjoy watching the projects presented, especially the clothing 'fashion review.' There's something interesting for everyone to see."