Imagine 188 kids competing for the top spot in everything from barbecuing chicken to driving a tractor, and that’s what it was like at the Annual 4-H Regional Roundup on the campus of Troy University Thursday and Friday.

Doug Summerford, 4-H Regional Extension agent, said from start to finish this year’s 4-H Regional Roundup was a winner.

The competition among the 4-H’ers was fierce but friendly and everyone had a great time, Summerford said.

“We had four 4-H’ers from the area who placed at the Regional Roundup,” Summerford said. “Three Pike County 4-H’ers placed. Audrey Law placed first in the intermediate category of junior baked foods. Alisa Kay Culpepper placed first in the intermediate division of What Wood U Build? woodworking competition and Clifton Culpepper placed second in the junior division of the woodworking competition.”

Caleb Bullock of Dale County 4-H took first place honors in the junior division of the Chicken Q.

Summerford said 4-H-ers from 20 counties participated in the Regional Roundup.

“The 4-H’ers who win first or second place in their county competitions are eligible to compete in the Regional Roundup,” he said. “We had an awesome number of kids participating in a variety of competitions.”

The competitions included Alabama quilters, lawn mower and tractor driving, chef, public speaking, storytelling, photography, extreme birdhouses and free-styling events.

“In the chef competition, the 4-H-ers had to prepare a dish and talk about the preparation of the dish,” Summerford said. “A team of 4-H’ers put on a fishing demonstration and included a very interesting presentation. All these 4-H’ers put a lot of thought and preparation into their projects.”

The competitions began on Thursday afternoon and ran through 5 p.m. The 4-H’ers then enjoyed playing games and swimming.

“They stayed in the dorms so they got to experience some of what college life is like,” Summerford said.

The competitions began at 9 o’clock Friday morning and the awards program was held after lunch.

“The 4-H Regional Roundup is the culmination of a year’s worth of preparation,” Summerford said. “It’s a time of celebration and a lot of fun for everyone.”