Fair Hounds: Luke Brekke, part of an 87-strong 4-H musical revue

by Molly Bloom, Minnesota Public Radio

Falcon Heights, Minn. — Luke Brekke is soon to be a sophomore at Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria, Minn., but first he's spending the end of his summer vacation living on the State Fairgrounds to play saxophone for the Minnesota 4-H State Arts-in.

Every year, teenagers from across the state come together to put on a musical revue that they perform three to four times per day in the 4-H building.

The participants put the show together over the course of one week in mid-August with the help of professional directors. This year the 87 performers, musicians, costumers and technical crew are performing a jungle-themed show called, "It's a Jungle Out There."

During the twelve days of the fair, the students live in the 4-H dorms, which Brekke describes as row after row of surprisingly comfortable bunk beds. When they're not on stage, they're free to roam the fairgrounds or mingle with other 4-H kids who are at the fair as state ambassadors or to show animals or other projects.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 08/29/2011, 3:24 p.m.
• All Things Considered, 08/29/2011, 5:55 p.m.