OTTUMWA — The back room at the extension office in Ottumwa is crammed full with boxes of ribbons, pallets of bottled water, supplies and staples of every kind.

They’re there because of the annual 4-H Expo, scheduled for July 14-20 at Bridge View Center.

Right now the expo exists as a series of colorful sticky notes hanging from several large pieces of paper. The schedule shows that organizers have just a few days to wrap up the final preparations.

A total of 200 exhibitors are expected to display projects ranging from photos to clothing and furniture. About half that number are expected to enter animals for livestock competitions.

“It starts at 6 p.m. [Monday] with a potluck banquet and the royalty crowning at 7 p.m. That’s how we kick it off,” said Kala Barre, who is interning this summer with Wapello County Extension.

The schedule starts filling up Thursday. That’s Kids Day at the expo. The events are built around ideas that appeal to children, like the “build a silly snake” and face painting.

“There’s a lot of fun things for them to do,” said Jane Hodoly, county youth coordinator with Wapello County Extension. “Then on Friday is the Senior Day with programs that would be of interest to senior folks.”

Organizers scheduled senior-oriented entertainment like the Dancing Grannies and the Old Guys Garage Band for Friday.

The Thursday and Friday events begin at 8 a.m. The clock moves that schedule by a half-hour on Saturday. Registration for the 5K Fun Run begins at 7:30 a.m. in Ottumwa Park; the run begins at 8 a.m.

Saturday’s events also include an all-day vintage car show and a sweet corn feed beginning at noon. Organizers think Saturday’s evening entertainment will be one of the expo’s highlights.

“One of the things we’re really excited about is we’re having the Celebration Iowa group,” Barre said. The choir and jazz band, comprised of high-school students from around the state, takes the stage at 7 p.m.

The exhibitions and displays are free to anyone who wants to come to the expo, but some of the specialty events do have prices attached. Tickets to Celebration Iowa are $5, while Saturday’s sweet corn feeD is $6. Tickets for events are available ahead of time at the extension office, or at the door.

Parking is not at Bridge View Center this year. Organizers are asking that people park in The Beach Ottumwa parking lot. A shuttle will then bring people over to Bridge View Center.

Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com