Pre-Fair Board Minutes Released

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, August 29, 2018, for their September board meeting.  All twenty one directors were present and twenty one guests were present.

Craig Stump, President, called the meeting to order.

Mark Light, OSU 4-H Extension Agent, stated his office is compiling a list of 4-H members who didn’t finish their projects and go through judging, so they don’t receive a wristband for admission to the fair.  Mark also stated that Jamie Delifield has expanded activities in the Homemaker Demonstration area to include kid’s activities in the evening hours of the fair. There will also be STEM activities offered in the 4-H building during the week of the fair for all kids to participate.  The horse youth committee has come up with the horse fun show activities, for Saturday of the fair. The rain date is scheduled for Sunday afternoon of the fair in the practice horse arena.

Roger Crowe, Hardin County Commissioner, stated he was glad the fair roads were resurfaced before the start of the 2018 fair and wished everyone good luck at this year’s fair – he also hoped for great weather!

Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Agent, stated the Carcass Show is scheduled for Wednesday, September 12th at Mt. Victory Meats, beginning at 6pm.  The public is invited to this event to view and hear the judging of the grand and reserve livestock champions from the 2018 fair.

Deb Fout, Fair office worker, stated her concerns for the concert ticket sales, on Saturday of the fair.  She was reassured there will be more laptops or iPads in the office to handle the sales.

Doris Kissling, Fair office worker, stated wristbands for all grandstand shows are ready.

Doug Crawford, President of the Hardin County Horseshoe Club, stated his concerns about a recent meeting his club had with the ground’s committee, about paying to rent the grounds for their horseshoe events that are held weekly at the fairgrounds.  He stated his club is finished with holding indoor horseshoe events in the winter months that were held in the 4-H building. His club would like to negotiate a better price to rent the outdoor pits during the other months. The issue was turned back over to the ground’s committee for further negotiations.

Craig Stump explained a wristband idea for season and membership ticket holders for this year’s fair.  The board agreed to offer wristbands for season and membership ticket holders. Those wanting a wristband will need to come to the fair office to exchange their ticket for a wristband.  If you lose your wristband, you will need to purchase another ticket

Kelly Buchenroth, chairperson of the ground’s committee, discussed the Public Entities Pool loss control visit recommendations.  There were only 3 findings, which were minor. Those issues will be taken care of by Sept. 27th, 2018.  It was noted winter storage begins October 1st with new rates.  Those rates are $25 a month for vehicles and $10 per linear foot for boats, trailers, campers, RV’s, etc.  Those rates were established at an earlier meeting. Kelly stated there will be 11pm nightly meetings held during the week of the fair to discuss the next day’s events.

Craig Stump, representing the Camping Committee, gave a reminder to all fair campers that you cannot pull your camper out before 7pm on Sunday night or you will lose your spot for next year.

An update on how ticket sales were going for the Saturday night concert with Dylan Scott and opener “Brown and Gray” was discussed.  All tickets, including reserved seats, can be purchased by going to the fair’s website www.www.hardincountyfair.org or by coming in to the office.  All tickets for the concert have to be purchased through the website and will be scanned at the grandstand gates.  All board members available Saturday morning, need to help with stage set up. There are still reserved seats available for all shows in the grandstand during the fair, those are on sale in the fair office until the show starts.

It was noted all of the barns were disinfected on Monday, August 27th.  Paul Ralston stated he will be passing out Fair Foundation ribbons, during the livestock market shows, to those exhibitors who donated to the Fair Foundation last year.  It was noted the community needs to continue to be vigilant about washing their hands after leaving a livestock building and not eating or taking food into the livestock barns, so everyone stays healthy.  All livestock exhibitors are being reminded to have their add on bids done before the day of the sale. No soliciting for bids will be allowed in the sale arena by exhibitors or parents.

Janie Seiler, chairperson of the rides/concession’s dept., stated all booths have been rented in the machinery, merchants and community building.  There is still some ground space available. Janie noted tents will be going up on Thursday, August 30th.  Durant ticket prices continue to remain the same as last year, with those being a $12 ride wristband to ride all day.  You can purchase those at the Durant ride ticket booth.

The board agreed the change the fairground’s internet service to WCoil.  Service will be 10 times faster with only a $10 increase in price. It was noted that the phone system will stay with Spectrum, at least for right now.  Kolt Buchenroth stated there will be social media challenge every day of the fair. Minutes from the Emergency Management Meeting were noted. Brad Murphy stated the Emergency Plan was signed off by the Hardin County Sheriff.

Under old business:

Whole hog sausage continues to be on sale in the fair office for $3.00 per lb. for seasoned or unseasoned bulk or patties.  Only pre orders will be accepted and signing up for orders ends Friday night of the fair. Season tickets at $20 are still on sale in the community and if you want to purchase a membership ticket you can do that in the fair office.  If you want to vote for the directors in November you need a membership ticket and you can switch your season ticket out for a membership ticket until Friday, October 15th.  You can still purchase a 2018 fair t-shirt or a fair commemorative metal sign for $10 in the fair office.

Under new business:

The arts/crafts building will be disassembled from the fair displays on Wednesday, Sept. 12th at 6pm.  The fair appreciation dinner is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 16th at 6pm in the community building.  Volunteers are asked to bring a covered dish to share, meat and drink is provided.  Petitions for the November election for fair board directors are due by Friday, Oct. 26th at 4pm.  Up for election this year are:  Dudley, Goshen, Lynn, Roundhead, Washington, Buck and 3 director at large positions.  The Buck Twp. and 1 director at large position is for a 1 year term, all other positions are for a 3 year term.  The wrap up meeting for how the 2018 fair went is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 26th at 7pm in the fair office.  There are 493 open class exhibitors this year with 3,252 entries and 907 JR fair exhibitors with 2,909 entries.  A note to Veterans for the veterans who want to attend the fair on Tuesday, Sept. 4th.  You do not need a veteran ticket from the Veteran’s or fair office for admission, if you have your Veteran’s ID, that can be used for fair entry.  If you don’t have a Veteran’s ID and still need a ticket for admission, you can pick one up one of those tickets at the Veterans or Fair Office. A note for JR. Fair exhibitors about still projects and livestock projects premiums:  Don’t forget to pick up your premium money in the fair office on either Saturday of the Fair from 1-8pm or Sunday of the fair from 1-7pm. If the exhibitor doesn’t come to the fair, they can pick up their money in the Secretary’s office on Wednesday or Fridays between the hours of 9am-4pm until Nov. 1st.  The board agreed to purchase 2 more speakers and 2 more wireless mic’s for the show arena.  The next regular board meeting will be Wednesday, October 3rd at 7:00pm in the Fair Office.