Area celebrities add some fun to the fair week mix
The Holmes County Fair Celebrity Showmanship contestants included People’s Choice award winner Steve Butcher, left, Dave Mast, champion Trevor Berger, runner-up Rachel Day, Carrie Maltarich and Jonathan Beam.
For six local celebrities, the chance to compete in the showmanship ring at the Holmes County Fair on Aug. 12 was an adventure and a challenge to try to emulate the tactics put on display by the 4-H youth who have perfected their craft.
For the Holmes County Junior Fair Board members, it was a chance to have some fun at the celebrities’ expense.
The third annual Celebrity Showmanship event saw eventual champion Trevor Berger, runner-up Rachel Day, People’s Choice award winner Steve Butcher, Jonathan Beam, Carrie Maltarich and Dave Mast working with six different animals including a beef steer, dairy cow, horse, goat, pig and dog.
Each celebrity participated in hopes of winning the cash prize that would go to their favorite local charity.
Hosted by a variety of Holmes County 4-H youth, current Holmes County Fair King Garrett Fowler emceed the event with fellow junior fair board member Jenna Sheldon, who took over the leadership role after former Holmes County 4-H Junior Fair Board member Becca Schuch got the ball rolling two years prior.
“Becca really did all of the legwork and got it going, and Garrett and I felt it was important to step in and continue the tradition of what she started,” Sheldon said. “We had a lot of help, and our main goal was to make this something that people could have a lot of fun with.”
“We tried to get people who we knew would enjoy this and who are connected to the fair in some way,” Fowler said.
As the host he kept things lively, asking questions from both the contestants and audience throughout the show.
Berger, administrator at Holmes Soil & Water Conservation District, said being in the ring was going to be a new experience to something he’s been around for many years.
“I spent 20 years doing the fair programs on the back side, but not in the ring, so this should be an experience,” Berger said. “It’s a little nerve-racking because you get all of these tips from the kids and then they’re telling you you’re not doing it right, but it was fun.”
Berger said this was a worthwhile event because it is run by the 4-H youth, and they invest a lot of time bringing in people throughout the community who touch the 4-H program in many different ways.
He said most of all it is a fun event for the entire community to get behind.
His winnings went to his nonprofit, Ohio Forestry Association Foundation.
Day, representative for the Holmes County Special Olympics and also well-known for coaching the Holmes County Bucks’ basketball team, said she prepared by Googling as much as possible including fun facts, animal jokes, animal details and more.
“It was an opportunity for me to raise some funds for the Holmes County Special Olympics, so I jumped at the chance,” Day said.
Butcher, the newly appointed successor to Brian Dodd, West Holmes High School band director, had the support and encouragement of his students to spur him on.
Butcher said he watched a number of 4-H videos because he hasn’t ever watched a show, and he learned a great deal in his effort.
“I was just hoping to have a good time and put on a good show,” Butcher said.
Beam, Holmes County dog warden, said he was surprised to learn of his newfound celebrity status.
“Someone sent me an email, informing me of the fact that I was apparently a celebrity,” Beam said.
Beam said he too did a great deal of searching on the internet to come up with pertinent information that might help him. He said he also leaned on his wife, who was a former 4-Her who showed steer and hogs.
“I did a whole lot of Googling, and I don’t exactly feel well-prepared,” Beam said. “But if someone can get a good laugh out of me, then great.”
Maltarich stepped in late in the game but came prepared, earning the vote for Best Dressed. A student services director in West Holmes Schools, Maltarich said she has always admired the hard work put in by the young people who invest time, energy and money into showing animals at the fair.
“We appreciate all of the celebrities who took the time to come out and perform,” Sheldon said. “Hopefully, it was fun for them and for the audience. We enjoy putting this show on, and we’re grateful to Becca for coming up with the idea. It’s been a nice addition to fair week.”