The 33rd District Agricultural Association (DAA) Board of Directors, the governing entity for the San Benito County Fair and Bolado Park Event Center,announced that the organization is accepting applications for its annual youth leadership program. 

Here is more information from a press release:

The Bolado Park Event Center Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) promotes, encourages, and stimulates youth involvement in the civic welfare of San Benito County and the surrounding geographical area.  The program provides training in leadership development, public relations, communications skills, and group dynamics; facilitates the interaction of participants with community leaders, event center/fair volunteers and patrons, and area visitors; creates awareness of agriculture, economic development, and government initiatives; and, promotes community stewardship.  

Youth Ambassadors participate in a two-day summer academy program in addition to attending and leading monthly meetings, visiting agriculture business sites, assisting at Bolado Park events, and presenting the AgUcation program for Kids Day at the Fair.

Previously, the 33rd DAA sponsored a Junior Fair Committee which assisted during the Fair. As Bolado Park Event Center continues to evolve in its expanded scope of work and offerings, the Youth Ambassador program was developed to meet the increasing needs of the Fair and the facility, while also providing new opportunities of engagement and personal development for area youth. The San Benito County Heritage Foundation is a partner in the program which will be in its second year. 

YAP is open to local youth who will be high school sophomores to college freshmen during the 2016-2017 school year. Youth are invited to apply by submitting the official application materials by May 6th to the Fair office at Bolado Park Event Center.  Eligible students will then be interviewed by members of the steering committee in mid-May, with orientation following in June for selected participants.  The program capacity is 20-25 youth, and there is no personal cost to those involved.  Previous involvement in Ag programs is not a pre-requisite.  Application materials may be obtained online (www.sanbenitocountyfair.com), from the Fair office, or by emailing [email protected]. 

33rd DAA CEO/Fair Manager Donnette Carter commented, “We are excited to again offer the Youth Ambassador Program to young people in our area. This past year we had an outstanding group of Ambassadors who truly stepped up to the challenge of assisting the fair and event center in various volunteer roles.  As we move into our second year, the steering committee will introduce new opportunities including a leadership model with officer roles and self-governance.   While the program is structured and includes educational components, there are also many opportunities to meet new people, enjoy the fair and other activities, and have fun along the way.”

Bolado Park Event Center and the San Benito County Fair may be reached at 831-628-3421. The facility is located at 9000 Airline Highway in Tres Pinos.