Fair board holds July meeting

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, June 25, 2025, for their July monthly board meeting. 15 Directors and 8 guests were present. 

Jack McBride, Board Vice President, called the meeting to order. 

Joe Sherman, Hardin County Commissioner, spoke about House Bill 335. Adam Billenstein, representing the Hardin County Beef Committee, stated they will have nachos & cheese and sloppy joes during the fair this year. 

Jami Dellefield stated one cheerleading group has already signed up for the fair. 

Kaytlin Billenstein gave the report from the JR Fair board. She stated the Champion sign they are doing for the fair will be posted on the Arts/Crafts building outside wall. Animals that will be participating in the All Abilities Show on Sunday of the fair, will include poultry, rabbits and goats. 

It was noted the next Development work session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16th at 7pm in the Fair Office. 

Jack McBride stated test work needs started on the new building site. Charlie McCullough and Dan Beale moved to adjust the site of the new building to the north by 20-30ft. Motion passed unanimously. 

Rob Wilson, Ground’s Chairman, stated all 5 water bottle filling stations have been installed and plaques were placed by each one stating the Grant used to purchase them. The fire retardant cabinet has arrived and is now filled. The old gazebo has been torn down and the new one will start to be built in July. Kitchen Hoods, fire extinguishers and air conditioning units will be serviced soon. Saturday, August 2nd at 8am, has been scheduled to be a fair work day. Directors are to let Rob know if they can attend. 

Judi stated all new camp sites have been secured, just waiting on a few to pay. Charlie McCullough, camping chairman, stated work on building the new sites continues. The Ohio Good Sam Camping group will be camping at the fairgrounds from July 5th – 13th. 

Tickets for the Diamond Rio and Confederate Railroad Fair Concert continue to be available for purchase by going to the fair’s website at www.hardincountyfair.org. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for the party pit section. It was noted Kirk Cameronis working on the concert with Art Me Party for the children’s tent. It was noted that judges for the cheerleading competition need to be secured. 

Judges are still needed for beef and dairy. Judi noted there are copies of individual sections of species from the fair book available for pick up in the secretary office. Otherwise you are to read your section online. Steve Harpster and Abe Decker moved to opt out of the livestock exhibition optional rules. Motion died. Craig Decker and Grant Mizek moved to accept the optional livestock rules (901-19-31, 901-19-32, & 901-19-35). Motion passed unanimously. This year, the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture stated it would be optional for goats to be tested at the fair. Grant Mizek, Goat Chairman, stated he wanted market goats and dairy goats to still be tested. 

Concession/Vendor applications, along with fair sponsorships, are still being accepted by going to the fair’s website and filling them out there. 

Judi announced the 2025 Hardin County Fair Book is available online in full version and there are open class fair books available in the fair secretary’s office. 

Under old business: 

The generator for the Community Building is still waiting on parts to be fixed. The digital sign has now been fixed. JR Fair entries for 4-H and FFA projects have until July 31st to be made online on the fair’s website. Award Sponsorship money continues to be turned in. 

Under new business: 

Judi gave a report on July and August rentals at the fairgrounds. It was announced the Emergency Management Meeting for the fair is scheduled for Wednesday, August 13th at 6pm in the Grange Restaurant. It is mandatory for all directors to attend. The JR Fair Prince and Princess contest will accept registrations from July 7-16th on the fair’s website. Further information about this contest can also be found on the fair’s website. Directors stated the building signs on the North and South sides of the JR Fair building need to be changed to read Machinery Building. Jack McBride read a letter from OFMA. They are instilling some new rules for fairboards to comply with. Open Class entries can start to be made starting August 1st – August 22nd. The next monthly fair board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6th at 7pm in the Community Building.