By: James Pruitt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The eyes of the nation will be upon the Williams County Fair this year when ABC News comes to town as part of a series it is doing on the pulse of the nation.
Fair Board President Dave Page made the announcement at the Aug. 18 board meeting. The network is visiting five fairs in battleground states to get people’s comments on the presidential election.
Ohio is a traditional battleground state and the network crew will be on scene the Monday of the fair.
The American Red Cross will have representation at the fair this year. The organization has reorganized to use donor dollars more efficiently.
The fair will offer gate training for volunteers on four separate dates. The first is 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25; 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27; 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28 and 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 30.
The fair requires each group have at least one representative at the training so the whole group can receive clear and concise information about the various gates, passes and rules.
The Thursday night youth grandstand event will be no charge, Brian Wieland said.
The board tabled the offer of a $500 donation from a group that wanted Veterans Day extended three hours. The request came after the fair had its book published listing all the times for special days.
“It’s for everybody,” Page said about the time for other special days. “Everybody wants to extend it, but there’s no money coming in for the extension.”
The hospital pays for Women’s Day, Page said. That day ends at 3 p.m. as well.
“It’s your call,” Page said. “I just think we are opening a can of worms.”
The board will be running the Maple Syrup Festival next year and proceeds will go to the Junior Fair Board. The senior board will be working with the junior members, Page said.
Fair board members will not sit in golf carts, Gators or UTVs on the infield during grandstand shows. Some patrons had been complaining, Page said. Board members were advised to bring a lawn chair or stand. If the board members are working, the vehicles are permissible.
The September board meeting will be rescheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22 due to the fair.
The fair will hold its reverse raffle Nov. 12.
The helicopter rides are back at the fair this year.
James Pruitt may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com