By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Fair Board met in regular session on Thursday, July 16, in the Thaman Building.
Board President Pam Goll called the meeting to order at 7 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The board then approved the minutes from the June 2026 meeting and the treasurer’s report from June 2026.
New Business
Under new business, the board made a motion to approve hosting a Father’s Day Demolition Derby on Saturday, June 19, 2027, at the fairgrounds, following the recommendation made by board member Tobi Fenicle.
Fenicle suggested the fair board begin advertising for the demo derby during this year’s fair.
Thaman Building Concerns
Local resident Sheila Word addressed the board regarding her concerns after she had rented the Thaman Building on June 20.
Word commented that she had to literally sweep the floor and mop it before beginning to set up the tables. She noticed the tables were filthy and everything had to be washed down after discovering there was food on them and had to be cleaned.
“It took me five hours of my cleaning before I could even set up to have a luncheon the next day,” Word lamented. “I’m 77 years old and I had to clean this whole place. The kitchen was a disaster, dirty dishes, and I had to wash all the counters down.
“You shouldn’t rent a place ever that looked like this did. I was just amazed and certainly disappointed that it was the mess I came into. When we left, everything was spotless, the tables were all washed down, the chairs were all washed down, and the kitchen was all cleaned. Everything was done the way it should be.
“I think it’s pretty sad for the money that we paid, and I don’t care if we get a $100 back; that’s not the point. The point is at 77 years old I shouldn’t pay to clean this place before we rented it.”
Goll responded to Word’s concerns, saying the fair board is having difficulties finding someone to clean the Thaman Building despite not having a secretary in the office to do it.
“That was one of the job duties of our secretary because she got ill and was unable to do it,” said Goll. “I apologize for that and we’re trying to fix it.”
Dairy Goat Show
Board member Matt Kennedy reported on the recent open dairy goat show, which took place on July 11.
Kennedy said there was a pretty good turnout with 256 head shown, and the numbers were up because the fair board had offered pens, in which they filled 36 pens at a cost of $50 per pen.
He noted the show brought in $1,940 with expenses totaling $1,095.05 for a net profit of $844.95.
Regarding ticket sales, Kennedy said as of Thursday, July 16, there were 13 tickets sold for the rodeo (September 12), 139 tickets for The Isaacs and The Bellamy Brothers concert (September 13), and 234 tickets for the demolition derby (September 18).
OSU Extension Report
Williams County OSU Extension Educator Coordinator Karie MacDonald reported that she was able to obtain a $750 grant from Miracle-Gro.
The stipulation of the grant is that it must be used by August 31, 2026, and it must be some form of beautification of plants for a public place. The grant will go towards the purchase of plants for the 4-H building at the fairgrounds.
MacDonald went to Farrell’s Lawn and Garden and said they currently have a special deal on all their plants, which includes purchasing three plants with a fourth at no cost. The plants will be all perennials.
“I projected with all of the grant money, and the deal Farrell’s has going on right now, I will be able to purchase around 38 plants,” she said.
“It also has to be a part of a community service with two 4-H clubs lined up to do all of the manual labor and are willing and able to plant.”
With the recent resignation of Megan Warnecke as Williams County 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator and the county fair just around the corner, MacDonald said that Zack Mikesell, who is the 4-H area leader from Allen County who represents nine Northwest Ohio counties including Williams County, will be assisting with the junior fair activities.
MacDonald also reminded the board of the 4-H livestock interviews taking place on August 5.
Fairgrounds Updates
Goll updated the fair board on the internet and phone service at the fairgrounds. She said the phone service will be hooked up on July 27, and wireless connections will be installed in all the buildings on August 7.
She also reminded the board that the 2026 Williams County Fair book has arrived. The book will also be available online on the Williams County Fair website.
The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. The next meeting will be Thursday, August 20, at 7 p.m.