PRAISE AND WORSHIP Michelle Boggs came in to seek approval to host praise and worship music events at the fairgrounds and the board approved letting her use the pavilion for that purpose
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
Directors Tim Belding, Scott Carroll, Tobi Fenicle, Jason Fry, Tom Fry, President Pam Goll, Matt Kennedy, and Dave Page met at 7 p.m. on April 18th, bringing the Williams County Agricultural Society together in regular session.
Michelle Boggs asked if they would allow a praise and worship session at the grandstands sometime next summer, with plans to advertise the event heavily once details are solidified.
The event would be free admission, as Michelle “would feel guilty charging people to praise the Lord.” It was thought that the musical event could take place 6 to 8 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month from May to August.
It was suggested that maybe the event start out at the pavilion, and in the case of growth, possibly move to the grandstand. Boggs thanked the board for their time, and asked them to pray on the idea.
It was then shared that the first day of the flea market was busy, with further details to be posted on their Facebook page.
Mike Goeble addressed the board on behalf of the Williams County Beef Producers to plan an open beef show on the last day of the fair before the KOI drag. The board voiced their support, saying “no problem, we’ll work with you.”
It was then decided to add both items to the consent agenda before the board then approved the minutes from their March 21, 2024 meeting, where it was announced that the hog pen quote came in at well over $73,000, leading the board to later move forward with the plan to set the pens up for $400 sponsorships.
The financial reports were approved as presented, and it was shared that quotes are being submitted for a capital improvement grant, and the ticket office will be open on Saturday April 20th from 9 a.m. to noon, with tickets being sold online after the ticket booth closes.
Sponsorships for events are being looked into, with plans for approvals to be presented at the next meeting. Mowing has started, with one lawnmower battery needing to be replaced.
A new tractor will be coming in, and quotes are being gathered concrete blocks for gates to protect the lawn on the fair’s northern end.
Fair royalty applications have been posted, with the deadline to run being set for June 1st, with the king and queen applicants needing to give a proposal on how they would best promote the fair.
To avoid schedule conflicts, a final schedule for royalty is waiting on the solidification of those running this year.
The junior fair board kids are out getting new sponsors for the fair awards, with a lot of work to do. It was shared that the money left to the board in an estate has been closed out, with a little over $4,000 deposited.
The flooding issue is being looked at for solutions by way of a Maumee Watershed grant for next year, in the hope to clear out any blockages contributing to the overflow.
A letter of permission is needed, and they would have to go in on the north end of the grounds. The bridge is going to need some maintenance, with an idea to contact the Holiday City Visitor Bureau to paint the bridge.
The remodeling is nearly done in the Thaman Building, with 11 more boxes of flooring needing to be ordered to complete the flooring. The $837 would come with a reduction of $55 of in-store credit. The board approved Mrs. Goll to purchase the extra boxes of flooring.
June 1st is the tagging for the goats, sheep, and feeder cows, with the following Thursday measuring horses.
Regulations are expected to change soon for the tagging and vaccination of poultry and cattle, in order to help prevent the spread of disease.
Discussion was held on the ability to enforce the requirement of tagging needing to be completed before the animals are given to the buyers, as the tags are currently in short supply and facing transport issues.
It was also shared that the MagnaWave is now banned in showing, as there was an occurrence of the electro-shock therapy device being misused by handlers, resulting in animal abuse.
Megan Schulte then shared that there are going to be two large 4-H clovers hung in the 4-H building, as the one won by Dyco Manufacturing at the fundraising banquet was donated back to the program.
Different Wi-Fi companies are being looked into for the fairgrounds, and t-shirts were ordered for the nearly 400 kids participating in 4-H and the FFA.
Conversation was then had on making each department have an ambassador as a way to further the royalty program, with funding options being looked into.
The fair queen bench was shared to be planned at the end of that week, and sponsorship plans for the pens were discussed.
The board then shared that the plans for the fair have been finalized, with the first Saturday seeing a rodeo, Sunday a mini horse and horse pull, Monday and band show, Wednesday will see harness racing, Thursday will see youth night, Friday will see the derby, and Saturday will see KOI.
Board members then received a packet sharing the details on an up-coming letter of support the board will be asked to provide, with everyone being asked to read the information over.
A special meeting was scheduled to discuss bids, and the board agreed to renew the cleaning contract they had last year for another three years, as well as to open a new contract for a replacement copier and service agreement for said copier.
The “no fishing” signs have been removed once again, and the fair board shared that they will relate to the DNR that it should be better enforced.
Ownership of the land was then detailed, with it being shared that while the Agricultural Society has the responsibility to maintain and use the grounds, they do not incur any debt, as the land belongs to the county.
It was shared that concrete blocks are being ordered so that fencing can prevent vehicle traffic on the grass at the north end of the grounds. Mrs. Goll shared that she would soon be meeting with the Williams County Commissioners to discuss the issue.
The minimum age for participating in showmanship was questioned, with permission being granted for a 4-year-old who grows his own vegetables to participate.
Motions were then made officially approving Michelle Boggs to hold a praise and worship music show at the pavilion, and to allow the Beef Producers to host a live beef show during fair week.
They then voted to adjourn at 8:25 p.m., set to meet next May 16th at 7 p.m. in the Thaman Building behind the Williams County Historical Society Museum.
