Fair board holds September meeting

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, August 28, 2024, for their September monthly board meeting. Nineteen directors and thirteen guests were present.

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

Doris Ralston stated entries for open class are up from last year, there are 3,172 with 577 exhibitors. She also noted that entry tags are smaller this year than in previous year’s past. Amanda Raines stated the extension office is interviewing tomorrow for an Ag. Educator tomorrow. Jolene Buchenroth asked if 1 adult could be admitted with a prince or princess candidate at no charge. Directors agreed this would be fine. Paul Ralston stated there are over 3300 poultry entries. Adam Casper and PJ Noascono stated their intentions for running for the vacant Washington Twp. They were both encouraged to help out during the fair and then let Washington Twp. voters decide who they want for their Township.

Aidra Preston, Hardin County Jr. Fairboard President, requested a donation for their “Stuff the Bus” program. Dan Beale and Nathan Weaver moved to donate $500 to their program. Motion passed unanimously.

Amanda Raines, JR Fair Board Advisor, stated they will be having their nightly meetings during the fair at 9pm and would like one or two fairboard directors to attend their meetings.

Rob Wilson, Ground’s Chairman stated the East side of the grandstand steps have been rebuilt. The West side will be done after the fair. The door project will not be done until after the fair. Striping on the handicap lots will be done tonight. Spraying of the grounds was done today and the barns will be sprayed tomorrow. Nightly meetings during the fair will be at 11pm or earlier. A water leak by the livestock barns has been repaired. The building switchover has been completed. Winter storage begins Oct. 1st and runs through the 2nd Saturday in April. Rates are the same as last year, vehicles are $30 per month. Boats, trailers, campers, etc. are $15 per linear foot.

Fair camping renters can pick up their hang tags and wristbands in the Fair Office now through Monday. Campers need to be in place by Monday evening (Labor Day). Remember they can’t move out until after 7pm on Sunday of the fair, or they won’t be able to camp next year. Charlie McCullough, camping chairman, stated camping spots will be marked in the morning. It was noted primitive camping is still available for $75 plus 2 season tickets.

Rob Wilson, Entertainment Chairman, stated the grandstand will be power washed tomorrow.

Steve Harpster stated that all of the wheelbarrows have been checked in the barns and tires have been fixed. It was announced that livestock sale checks can be picked up in the Secretary’s Office on Saturday, Oct. 5th from 9am-12 noon, Saturday, Nov. 2nd from 3-6pm and during regular Secretary Office Hours Wednesday and Fridays from 9am-4pm (Oct. 9th – Nov. 22nd). Checks need to be cashed by the end of November or they will be voided.

Brad Murphy, outside vendor chairman, stated outside rental spots are full, tents have been staked and will be put up tomorrow.

It was noted no more sponsors are being taken for this year’s fair.

Kolt gave a list of projects to be completed before the fair starts.

The Emergency Management Meeting Minutes were approved.

Under old business:

Charlie McCullough and Andrew Scharf moved that if a season ticket needs to be purchased during the fair, it will have to be purchased at the gate. There will not be exchanges done in the fair office to upgrade a day pass to a season ticket. Only a whole season pass can be purchased in the office. Motion passed unanimously. Fair office hours through Saturday this week at 9-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm and Labor Day 9-9pm. Then during the week of the fair, hours are 9-5pm, except Sunday is 12-5pm. On Ground parking passes can also be purchased at the fair gates or in the Fair Office for $15. Season ticket prices are to increase by $5 starting Friday, August 30th. Petitions for the November Fair Board Director Election are due by Friday, Oct. 25th at 4pm. Up for election this year are 2 director at large positions and township positions are: Taylor Creek for a 2 year term and 3 year terms for Roundhead, Dudley, Washington, Goshen and Lynn. Anyone wanting to run for one of those director positions needs to come to the secretary’s office to pick up a petition by Friday, Oct. 18th at 4pm. Just a reminder if you are interested in running for a position, you need to attend the October board meeting to state your intentions for running, unless you’ve already attended the Sept. board meeting.

Under new business:

Judi gave an update on rentals for September and October. The Royalty Contest was discussed with Jolene Buchenroth in attendance. It was noted it is called a 50/50 contest, but the contest this year is being capped at $5,000 so there is enough scholarship money for all royalty. Next year the program will be called a different name. Directors agreed to purchase 2 beef and 4 hogs at the livestock sale. The meat from those animals will be distributed the same as last year. Directors agreed to donate eleven 1 day tickets for the recovery court. It was noted the Division of Wildlife will be using the arts/crafts building on October 12th and 13th. It was stated open class entry tags can be picked up in the fair office starting this Friday and through the weekend. The arts/crafts building will be put back together from the fair on Monday, Sept. 16th at 6pm. $2 Membership tickets can still be purchased after first purchasing a season ticket until Friday, Oct. 11th at 4pm in the Secretary’s Office. JR Fair and Open Class premium money can be picked up in cash form at the Grandstand ticket booth on Saturday of the fair from 1-4pm . If you don’t pick up your money on this day, you can still pick up your premium money in the Secretary’s office on Wednesday and Fridays from 9-4pm until Friday, November 22nd. Other possible dates are Saturday, Oct. 5th from 9-12 noon or Saturday, November, 2nd from 3-6pm. The end of year wrap up meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 18th at 6pm in the Fair Office. The next monthly fair board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2nd at 7pm in the Community Bldg.