YOUTH NIGHT … Jr. Fair Board President Reese Hand explained Youth Night Competition rules to the WC Fair Board at their May 19, 2022 WC Agriculture Society Board Meeting. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
Fair Board members are all very busy getting ready not only for the WC Fair in September but other events to be held at the Fairgrounds before the big week.
Board member Tobi Fenicle reached out during the meeting held on Thursday, May 19, 2022 for some assistants to help at the Summer Swap Meet and Cruise in which is to be held on June 24 and 25.
A number of board members assured him they will be there to help in any way needed. The Cruise In is a change from the car show that was planned, and Fenicle is looking forward to a successful weekend. More info can be found on the WC Swap Meet Facebook page or by calling Fenicle at 419-630-8141,
With only one board member absent for the meeting, they were able to get a great deal accomplished at the meeting. Jr. Fair Board President Reese Hand handed out printed versions of the rules for the Youth Day event and explained how the races will work this year.
Bale Hauling, a Round Bale Race and Tug of War will be a part of the fun evening. Later in the meeting the Board voted to approve the request to have Youth Night on Sunday, September 11, 2022 and have their events in the Horse Arena area, beginning at 7 p.m.
The Board voted to approve the minutes from the previous meeting and the Treasurer’s report. In Committee reports the Board heard:
-Five stitched blankets are going to be given away at the Horse Racing
-Pig Races will be held on the midway
-Tiling will happen in June on the track, with cost of materials only, as labor is being donated
-Rough Draft of Fair Book, 69 pages, was passed around the table during the meeting to check for any corrections needed. Bulk will be printed digitally and some will be printed and kept in the office.
-13 Fairs involved in a Food Drive with top three who collect the most items getting awards; Farm Credit MidAmerica is sponsoring this; the Jr. Fair Board will get a trailer and do all the work. WC is the last Fair to participate so winners will be announced at the end of the WC Fair.
-Brand new Red Book has been put on the Ohio Department of Agriculture website
-For the livestock auctions, they are working with the area butchers to make sure they are all covered
-Derby and Truck Pull flier is being prepared
-First Tagging Day is the 4th Saturday in June
-Clarification on Market Hogs – it is terminal; all others are partial terminal. There are no Breeding Stock classes for hogs, so they do not do those at the fair. Jeff Dick said he will put a message out to all of the 4-Hers so they know this information.
-Jr. Fair Board will be working every Monday night from 6-8 from now till the Fair
-Interviews have been done for Royalty, with two Kings, one queen and two princesses
-Contracts are out for Baking Judges
-FLOWER SHOW – There will be NO premiums this year and NO entry fees, so it will be a Free Flower Show. This does not apply to Horticulture, just the Flower Show.
-Maintenance – water line is repaired from 107 to the Maintenance barn; more expensive than expected but it will be a cost savings as loss of water is stopped
In Old Business, the Board:
-Heard an update on the 4-H building – ceiling is done, new fans are coming, insulation was put in, ceiling access point, led lighting is great, wall painting quotes are being gathered, floor needs to be scrubbed, rule needs to be made for future to pull out any staples put in the walls
-Heard a few more details on Swap Meet/Cruise In – bands are lined up, beer license is almost set, no trophies needed as it is not a car show so simpler, flyers are ready to distribute, arm bands needed for being in for two days and one for those who are drinking beer, he thinks Saturday will be very busy, only using one gate, will have Porta Johns (4 regular and 1 Handicap)
-Tractor Use Rules-Current Equipment Policy are in place, no underage drivers
-Everyone was encouraged to get their committee’s fair budget to President Pam Goll
In New Business:
-Premium Checks will continue to be mailed out after the Fair
-Loretta Burkhart made a proposal to do a Membership Drive for all levels at the Fair this year; she wants to encourage people to get more involved in the Ag Society, the Fair Board, the Jr. Fair Board; she was assured of a good spot but it won’t be under the grandstand, Gillette Building was recommended as it is very busy; she was thinking of having the Bike Ticket Drawing there as well; she stressed the need to get the word out for the opportunities
-Loretta also wants to hold a Contest for School Age children to design a WC Fair Flag; all children from K-12 can put in entries; will not begin till after the Fair as she needs time to implement it; she also wants to get sponsorship for three flag poles in the infield; needs to find someone to make the flags; wants it to be “kid oriented”, not what an adult would do; the winner would run it up the flagpole the first time it is raised; She wants green, 4-H and FFA on the flag, and totally kid created. The Board made and approved a motion for her to go ahead with her two project suggestions.
From OSU Extension, Jeff Dick said that Educator Stephanie Karhoff has taken another position and will be moving on.
With no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at rebecca@thevillagereporter.com