REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (Jan. 03, 2020) – 41 individuals were recently recognized at the 95th Ohio Fair Managers Association annual convention at the Greater Columbus Convention Center for outstanding service to their local fairs. Of this group, seven received the Director’s Award for Innovation and Excellence for their progressive ideas and actions to improve and strengthen their fairs. Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Dorothy Pelanda presented each winner with a certificate. Those chosen for the special honor (denoted by an asterisk below) received plaques.
The award recipients were:
|
Albany Independent Agricultural Society |
Paul Joseph “PJ” Cotterill |
Hardin County Fair |
Gary & Patti Casteel |
|
Allen County Fair |
Bobcat of Lima |
Harrison County Agricultural Society |
Matilda “Tillie” Heavilin |
|
Ashland County Fair |
* Allen Lifer |
Henry County Fair |
* Jon Rettig |
|
Ashtabula County Fair |
* Deborah Platt |
Jackson County Fair |
* Sandy Leonard |
|
Athens County Fair |
Paula Carpenter |
Mahoning County Fair |
William B. Phillips |
|
Attica Independent Fair |
Michele Weaver |
Marion County Fair |
Clyde Sappington |
|
Barlow Independent |
Pat Amrine |
Medina County Fair |
Dorothy Hamlett + |
|
Belmont County Fair |
Mike Schrest |
Monroe County Fair |
John Baker |
|
Clark County Fair |
Ed Kranz |
Montgomery County Fair |
Calvin Helsinger |
|
Clermont County Agricultural Society |
Friends of the Fair |
Muskingum County Fair |
* Mary E. Miller |
|
Columbiana County Fair |
* Owen Unkefer |
Preble County Fair |
Henning Family |
|
Crawford County Fair |
John Spreng, Jr. + |
Putnam County Agricultural Society |
Darren E. Langhals + |
|
The Great Darke County Fair |
Mike & Linda Fourman |
Richland County Fair |
Niss Charities |
|
Delaware County Fair |
Dan Huffman |
Richwood Independent Fair |
Travis Bahan |
|
Fayette County Fair |
Tony Penwell |
Seneca County Fair |
Mary Kingseed |
|
Franklin County Fair |
Cornell Robertson |
Stark County fair |
Dean Pugh |
|
Franklin County Fair |
Jeff Decker |
Summit County Fair |
Roger Bourgeois |
|
Gallia County Junior Fair |
Paul Shoemaker |
Warren County Fair |
Joe Wilson |
|
The Great Geauga Fair |
Sam Plants |
Wayne County Fair |
Fred Cannon |
|
Greene County Fair |
* Chief Deputy Mike Brown |
|
+ Denotes Posthumous Nomination |
Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs and the Ohio State Fair support the local economy and help educate the public about the importance of agriculture and the many necessities it provides, including food, clothing, shelter, fuel and energy. In addition to setting and approving the dates for the independent and county fairs, the department is responsible for helping to assure the safety of amusement rides, for monitoring livestock shows to help assure honest competition, and for coordinating animal health efforts with designated local veterinarians.
