Another fine show
2012 Holmes County Fair gets county one step closer to exciting new home
By Dave Mast
August 17, 2012
422
What do you look for in a big party? Laughs? Great food? Intelligent conversation? Plenty of shared interests to talk about? Activities that help make the time pass far too quickly?
When it comes to throwing a gala bash, few have it more down pat than the folks who put together the Holmes County Junior Fair.
Young but at the same time seasoned and knowledgeable, the fair board once again put together a winning combination of entertainment, food, activities, exhibits and, of course, plenty of opportunities to showcase the area youth, and a week chock-full of activity was over quickly, seemingly before it had even begun.
Its been another great year. Attendance has stayed pretty even with what it was last year, said Scott Stallman, who is in charge of concessions, and has been a vital cog in the machine that is the Holmes County Junior Fair for years.
Stallman said that the big draws in the grandstand from year to year are consistent, noting that the rodeo is usually very well attended, as is the motocross, demolition derby, and over the past three years, the Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association has brought dozens of huge, expensive, screaming high-octane tractors in to provide a major boost in attendance.
In addition, Stallman has worked hard to bring in all kinds of tasty fair food vendors, from the dairy booster barn, which doles out thousands of tasty milk shakes, to pulled pork nachos, giant elephant ears, all kinds of fried goodies and pretty much anything that you can put on a stick. It all adds to the ambiance of the fair.
The concessions have been such an integral part of the fair that there are people who attend who go specifically to dine.
Fair food is a big deal, and whenever I go to other fairs I am always on the lookout for new foods and quality vendors, said Stallman. I am always on the lookout for something different, something that is unique and brings more flavor to what we already have to offer. We keep an eye out for anything that is a new experience for people.
Yet while all of the food, rides, entertainment and other experiences create a superb week of fun, Stallman said the overriding theme and the focal point of the fair continues to be the area youth, with local 4-H clubs and the FFA taking center stage. He said that the fair committee wouldnt ever want to have it any other way.
We dont have the open shows where anyone can bring their animals in to compete, said Stallman. It has been focused on the kids and will always remain focused on the kids. Many of these 4-Hers have worked hard on their projects and their animals, and it is wonderful to see the support that they receive from the local community. I think that is because people realize that we do have a junior fair that is all about our kids, and there arent many of those out there.
While the fair rolled along again this year without a hitch, few people give thought to how it all comes together. Stallman said it is evident that behind the scenes there are some very caring, dedicated individuals who make it all happen, with little to no fanfare.
Right now the fair is going on and we are already planning for next year, said Stallman. I start thinking about next year when I am setting up concession stands and seeing how it all fits together, and how we can improve for next year. All the guys are looking at what we can do next year to improve. We want to put on the best show possible for the community.
We have such an incredible group here who make this fair a success. It is a very unselfish group that only has one goal in mind, and that is to create a fair which is fun and entertaining for everyone.
Yet even as they plan ahead for next year, the time is short for the fair to take place at the existing fairgrounds. With a trio of boards of the new fairgrounds set up at the commercial tent, secretarys office and the show barn, people were able to conceptualize what the new fairgrounds will look like once the fair actually moves. Even as the new plan continues to evolve and change, with alterations being made that will benefit the fair and the county.
Currently the Baker Building, which will host Share-A-Christmas as well as the fair, is being constructed. Then the other buildings will follow suit, from animal barns and the 4-H building to the numerous other buildings which will eventually be home to the fair.
However, Stallman said that even before that happens, the fair could well be taking place west of town in its new home.
I think being one of the youngest fair boards in the state of Ohio, and having gone so long in search of finding a new fairground, we are being very open-minded as to how we approach this new grounds, said Stallman. Its a matter of finding what fits best and works for the county, and we couldnt do this without the volunteers who have made it possible.
And as far as when the move will be made, well see. We have a contract to be able to stay here through next year, and even though some of the buildings may not be ready, there are a lot of fairs which operate with tents, so we could make the move after next year. Well just have to wait and see.
But that is down the road.
For now, Stallman, the board, all of the committee chairs, the 4-H youth and all of the fairgoers will celebrate another fantastic week of what is now in the books: The 2012 Holmes County Junior Fair.
