Society Directors Hold July Meeting

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, July 10, 2019, for their July board meeting.  Fifteen directors and eleven guests were present.

Corey Ledley, Board President, called the meeting to order.

Alesia Martin and Kelly Carder presented the Open Horse Show Bill for Saturday of the Fair.  It will be posted on the Fair’s website.  They also presented their liability insurance for the show.

Roger Crowe, County Commissioner, stated the whole county properties in the county will be going smoke free on January 1st, 2020.  He discussed options for the fairgrounds, since it is a county property. 

Mark Badertscher, OSU Extension Agent, stated the carcass show will be Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6pm.  It will be held at Jenkin’s Meats, formally Mt. Victory Meats. 

Steve Gliebe expressed his interest in having an item he made be auctioned off during the wood carving auction during the fair.  That money would then go to a charity.  The board suggested he talk to the charity of his choice and go through them directly about auctioning off an item, instead of it be auctioning off during the fair.

One part of the strategic plan is now done, with that being the internet structure in the buildings.

Kelly Buchenroth gave a report on what has been happening on the grounds.  The grandstand is now painted and the next work day on the fairgrounds will be July 20th.  A back flow preventer for the dump station at a cost of $900 will be purchased.  A contract for cutting and baling services with Dan Wagner was approved.  A school bus will be available for the week of the fair, for transportation, in case of parking lots being too wet to park. 

Judi Cronley stated the Ohio Good Sam’s Group has been enjoying their stay this week on the grounds.  They look forward to coming back next year.

Rob Wilson, chairman of the Entertainment Committee, stated ticket sales for Saturday night’s entertainment for the Hardin County Fair with Tyler Rich and Matt Stell continue to be on sale.  All ticket sales are done on line at www.hardincountyfair.org and if you don’t have access to a computer, you can obtain your tickets during Secretary Office hours on Wednesday and Friday’s from 9am-4pm.  Tickets are $25 for track, $20 for reserved and $15 for general admission and the concert starts at 7pm. 

Judi Cronley stated a beef judge for Wednesday of the fair is still needed, all other livestock judges have been acquired.  Rabbit tattooing is scheduled for Saturday, August 10th from 9-11am at the fairgrounds. Much discussion was had about livestock interview judging grades being carried over to the arena grade.  This discussion was had last year during the fair wrap up meeting, but was never discussed in a regular board meeting, so will not be enforced during the fair this year. 

Janie Seiler, chairman of the rides/concession/vendor committee stated there are booth spaced for the 2019 Hardin County Fair available, so if there are groups interested in a booth or ground space, submit an application of interest to the Hardin County Fairgrounds and those applications can be located at www.hardincountyfair.org

Nancy Rickenbacher and Sherri Beale, advisors for the JR. Fair Board, stated their next meeting will be Monday, July 29th

Kolt Buchenroth, Fair Communications Director, gave two quotes for fair yard signs.  The board moved to have Scioto Sign make the signs.  It was noted the new copier/printer is now in the office.  The Log & Jotters have also been delivered.  The Show Arena iPad has been purchased.    

It was noted that there is a need for gate workers on Thursday of the fair.  The group needs to have a 501c3 status and have around 30 people to man the gates.  Interested groups should contact the fair office at 419-675-2396 immediately. 

Under old business:

Judi Cronley stated the fair premium book is available on line at www.hardincountyfair.org and in the fair office.  Judges are still needed for photography and crafts for the 2019 fair.  Jr. Fair entries for any kids in 4-H and FFA need to be entered by July 31st.  Enter those entries on the Fair’s website.  Fair t-shirts are still available for purchase in the fair office. 

Under new business:

It was announced Open Class entries can be entered from August 1st – 16th, by going to the fair’s website.  The fair office will start to be open on Monday, August 5th from 9am-5pm – 5 days a week until the fair and will also be open the Friday before that on August 2nd from 9-4pm.  Season ticket sales will go on sale in the community starting August 5th.  Tickets for reserved seats, for the grandstand shows, during the fair will go on sale Friday, August 2nd.  The board moved to purchase a digital sign from Signs Ohio.  Christa Rarey stated Boy Scout Troop #150 is interested in doing a flag raising during the fair, in which the board stated there would be many opportunities they could have for that.  The board approved to allow a car show to be held on the fairgrounds at a cost of $250.  The next board meeting will be Wednesday, August 7th at 7:00pm in the Arts/Crafts Building.