Fair holds May meeting

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, May 3, 2023, for their May monthly board meeting.  Sixteen directors and nine guests were present.

Brad Murphy, Board President, called the meeting to order.

Amanda Raines, from OSU 4-H extension stated enrollment of 4-H kids with animal projects is very similar to last year’s numbers.  There is one more Quality Assurance Training left on Sunday, May 7^th and one last Equi Step Training on Sunday, too.  These are the last training courses that will be available for exhibitors to show at the Hardin County Fair.  Roger Crowe, Hardin County Commissioner, stated that Hardin County is now not the epicenter for the solar eclipse, but still expects a great deal of people to view the eclipse from our county.  

Brad Murphy gave an update from the Development Committee.  He stated the committee has met a couple times since last month and the first topic to be dealt with is drainage.

Judi Cronley discussed the Ground’s Committee minutes from the meeting held before this meeting.  The committee voted to replace one heater in the grange restaurant, get more quotes for exterminator services, hire Cathy Routt and Cindy Hastings for fair restroom cleaning, get more quotes to have the annual fire inspection and hood suppression systems inspected, and hire New Leaf Landscaping for spring, monthly and August maintaining of the South and East sides of the Community Building.  A workday to paint the interior of the Arts/Crafts Building was set for Saturday, August 5^th.  Rob Wilson stated the storm damage to the beef barn has been repaired.   Insurance money has been received for damages to the grounds.  $2,000 was received from the Hardin County Community Foundation for painting the interior of the Arts/Crafts Building.  The Sheriff building water line has been fixed.  

It was noted the Cushman Scooter Club will be camping in May and a temporary camping permit will be obtained for the Good Sam group coming in July.  

Judi will be sending band contracts for the fair soon.   

Judi stated she needs livestock judges for Dairy, Dairy Beef Feeders, Beef and Fancy Poultry.  It was noted Dairy Beef Feeder and tagging is Saturday, May 20^th from 8-10:30am at the fairgrounds.

Jake McFadden stated vendor/Concession applications can be filled out online at www.hardincountyfair.org.  Payment is needed after they are approved.

Sherri Beale, JR Fair Board Advisor, stated they received $500 from the Hardin County Community Foundation for a sign to be used during the Consignment Sale.  They have also elected Claire Ketcham as their President.  Sherri spoke about a contest for JR Fair boards to have between county’s using a stock trailer to stock with non-perishable items.  The contest would finish on the last day of the 2023 fair.  Directors approved this project.  

It was noted sponsorship money and applications continue to be accepted online through the fair’s website.  

Sound Solutions are working on an estimate to install on ground sound.  The fair board has been approached about possibly acquiring some programmable 2-way radios.  P & R Communications will be used to program the radios for $2500 only if the radios are received at a nominal cost.  It was noted the Tech Committee is currently customizing the fair’s I Pads currently on hand.  The Society will be enrolled in a mobile management system at $35 a month.  A time clock management tool has been acquired, that is an online tool.

It was noted the 2023 Hardin County Fair Book is now online and can be found at www.hardincountyfair.org.  A limited number of hard copies will be available in the Secretary’s Office soon.  Look for that announcement on our website and social media.

The Consignment Sale tractor issue is now being handled by an attorney.

Under old business:

Brad and Meghan Yoakum gave an update from the District Fair Meeting they attended this past month.  A big announcement was made about students being excused from school to attend their county fair with fair projects.  This is a statewide announcement from the Ohio Board of Education and the governor.    

Under new Business:Judi has sent the quarterly newsletter.  Jack McBride stated the target date for exhibitors to start making their JR Fair entries is being set for May 15^th.  The next Fair Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7th at 7pm in the Community Building.