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OSU Extension

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

CFAES
October 6, 2020 - 8:00am -- lehman.488@osu.edu

There are so many people to thank for doing so many things that go into making our Wayne County Fair such a great fair.  This year was especially challenging, as the rules and guidelines around what was permitted were constantly changing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  I am sure this article will not begin to come anywhere close to thanking everyone that helps to make the fair so wonderful, but, at least from my perspective as the Wayne County 4-H Extension Educator and Jr. Fair Superintendent, here are a few of the many key people that deserve special recognition and appreciation.

First let me say thank you to our 4-H and FFA youth and their parents. They have many choices for how and where to spend their time, yet year after year, more than 1,400 of our Wayne County youth dedicate countless hours to 4-H and FFA. In fact, I continue to be in awe of the dozens of 4-H and FFA youth that show up on the Tuesday night following the Wayne County Fair to show their pride in their fairgrounds by helping to clean out barns, pick up trash and litter around the grounds, move benches, and so much more.

Next let me say thank you to our 4-H and FFA advisors and volunteers.  There are more than 400 adults across our county who help our youth grow into competent, capable, and contributing citizens.  They serve as project advisors, organizational club leaders, chaperones, Skillathon facilitators, and many other roles.  More than 100 of these volunteers also serve on our countywide 4-H / FFA Action Committees that work to plan and conduct the clinics, project judging events, and livestock shows during the summer and at the fair in September.

We also could not have the great fair that we do without the hard work and dedication of our Senior Fair Board, Fair Manager Matt Martin, Fair Staff, and our Jr. Fair Secretary Marcia Brueck.  Dave and Sharon Emler, Cheryl Gordon, Bonnie Kreuger, Stephen Heppe, Sarah Boreman, and Michael Goard also put in many long hours to help ensure our Junior Fair shows and livestock sales ran smoothly throughout the fair.  I also want to thank the many individuals, businesses, and organizations that sponsor trophies, awards, and other aspects of the fair.  We also could not do it without the auctioneers, ring men, clerks, Extension staff, and volunteers that help staff the Jr. Fair livestock sale. For everyone mentioned in this article and so many others not mentioned, your support is so greatly appreciated.

Doug Foxx is an OSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722.

 

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