Fair board preparation is the unsung hero of fair week
Holmes County Senior Fair Board members Tara Sheldon, left, Jamie Darr and Kerry Taylor map out some of the preparatory work that needs to take place prior to the Holmes County Fair Aug. 4-9.
As the Holmes County Fair approaches Aug. 4-9 at Harvest Ridge near Millersburg, fans and fairgoers will show up ready to participate in the excitement and allure of the fair, whether it is the rides, the animals, the food, the music, the grandstand venue or one of many other reasons.
They show up at the front gate ready to enjoy the week, but what most people don’t think about is the countless hours spent by many people preparing the grounds and facilities to put on a great show.
Holmes County Senior Fair Board President Roger Boring said it takes a village of people to pull it all together, but the end result is worth it.
“We are still considered a small fair, but there’s nothing small about everything that needs to get done in order to make this fair as good as it can possibly be,” Boring said. “There’s a lot of work getting all of the little things done that nobody ever thinks about, but those are the things that make our fair special.”
Boring said the work for the August fair begins in December, signing contracts, creating the fair book, sewing up what shows will ignite the grandstand fans and more.
That takes place throughout January, and it’s full bore from then on as countless people make every step and stage of preparation happen.
Boring said preparing the grounds for fair week starts about two months prior, and it is hard work, but it is gratifying come fair week.
“I look at opening day at the fair as a breather,” Boring said. “The buildup to the week is tireless.”
One thing that makes it possible is the work of the senior fair board and its many members. The fair board is loaded with veteran members who have been serving the fair and the community for many years, and each is dedicated to tackling certain roles and obligations that add up to success.
Boring said the fair board is one big family, filled with many of the same challenges that families often face, from sharing love and joy to overcoming disagreements and struggles. He said they work together for the good of the community and the fair.
“I rely on every single one of them, and I told all of those members who have been here for 15-20 years that they all can’t step down at the same time,” Boring said. “That can’t happen because of the amount of knowledge they bring to the table. When you think about it, that knowledge becomes the fair each year.”
He said knowing he can trust each member to perform their duties spotlessly because of their knowledge and experience is comforting.
Considering the board is made up of 22 individuals working together as one unit, they have kind of earned the right to see themselves as one big family.
“It just works,” Boring said of the board’s makeup and dedication to the fair. “I give each of our members so much credit, and people realize how well we get along. We care about each other, we care about the fairgrounds and we care about creating a fair week for the people of Holmes County. If a fair board can’t think like that, it’s going to be a struggle.”
The Holmes County Fair continues to thrive and shine as it entertains the masses, and as one of the only remaining Ohio counties to boast a committed junior fair, it only adds to the unique qualities the event presents.
It all boils down to the fair board’s commitment along with the countless other volunteers who throughout the year make this week a memorable one.