PHOTO BY ANNA WOZNIAK / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
HOG PEN DONATION … Pictured here are Williams County Dairy Association President John Radabaugh and Williams County Agricultural Society President Pam Goll with the $5,000 donation Radabaugh presented to Goll for the hog pen replacement project.
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Agricultural Society met on June 20, 2024 near 7 p.m. Answering roll call were seven directors (1 absent) who saw their first course of action greeting representatives from the Williams County Dairy Association.
The Williams County Dairy Association President John Radabaugh then presented a $5,000 donation to Williams County Agricultural Society President Pam Goll for the hog pen project.
They then approved the minutes from their May meeting as presented after review. The treasurer’s report was accepted as presented, and it was shared that sponsorships have been going well, but there are still funds to be desired.
Goat judges are still being finalized, and some sound issues have been reported related to the radios. These reports are concerning for all-week use, but there have not been issues like this reported throughout previous years.
The board discussed and decided that cell-phone numbers would be given out so that in the event of a walkie failure, contact can still be made.
An all-year use contract for a tractor was then discussed, with member Dave Page sharing that the arrangement “should be good.”
Display case glass has been cut for the antique cases, but there will need to be more work done due to a table mishap that resulted in shattered glass.
It was shared that change for the fair will need to be picked up before quotes on tree removal were presented. The lower bid was accepted at $525, and it was shared that an old oak tree will be looked at for removal as well.
Work on the fair book has begun, with a print deadline of July. It was confirmed that flyers will be made for the fair this year, and permission was granted for the Junior Fair Board to participate in more hands-on livestock experience.
The Ohio Department of Development grant application was approved for $106,831.54 in grant funding, with no date of receipt known yet.
It was shared that hog pen donations are looking alright, and a grant has been submitted to the Edon Farmers Co Op for $10,000.
The Fair Foundation has pledged $4,000, and the Pork Producers have donated $5,000. All individual donations were thanked, as was the Diary Association.
Half of the funds are collected, with a goal of 75% of the full amount raised before the project is started. Royalty was scheduled for Saturday, with lengthy discussion being held on location.
It was shared that the previous year yielded complaints about wearing dress attire and walking across sandy, uneven ground, and so it was decided to be held in the Thaman Building this year, set to start at 4 p.m.
The final schedule will see the addition of a Williams County Public Library booth, set up by the Historical Society and the 200th Anniversary Committee, as well as provide space for a presentation rumored to feature Governor Mike DeWine.
An evening spectacular was discussed, but previous issues with removing people from the grandstand between events were cited. The board decided to take a stauncher approach to removing non-paying individuals this year.
The Ohio Fair Managers will be having their 100th anniversary meeting, and the association agreed to have more discussion on whether or not they would like to put in for a table lottery.
The board then entered into executive session at 7:48 p.m., and came out with no action, set to meet again July 18, 2024 at 7 p.m.