Fair honors Don Spar

The Hardin County Agricultural Society is proud to honor Don Spar for his many years of service to the youth of the county. Don served as a Director representing Liberty Township from 1989 to 2019. During his time as a Director, Don held the position of Vice President and President and was a member of or chaired many committees including Executive, Audit, Grounds, Entertainment/Grandstand, Advertising, Antique Tractors, Jr Fair Livestock Sale, Emergency Management, and Appreciation Night.

Spar was a fixture in the Junior Fair Arena Office where he coordinated the Junior Fair Livestock Sale. He is responsible for not one but two computer system upgrades to make the clerical work of the sale much simpler for office staff. Additionally, Spar became the fair’s in-house resource for livestock exhibition rules, practically memorizing both Ohio Revised Code and local fair rules to be a walking encyclopedia. Don’s high-energy and no-nonsense attitude became a pillar of strength and wisdom for the board to lean on during Spar’s tenure.

Spar graduated from Ada High School in 1977. He was a two-year member of FFA and a 10-year member of Liberty Boys 4-H Club. Don graduated from The Ohio State University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. He served as an advisor for Liberty Belles & Boys 4-H club for 10 years; served on the Simon Kenton MRDD Board for seven years, holding the offices of Vice President and President; and has been a member of Hardin County Farm Bureau for 34 years, serving on the Board of Trustees and holding the office of Vice President. Don has been involved with Scouts BSA for 22 years as an Adult Leader, Den Leader, Clubmaster, and Assistant Clubmaster, and is currently Scoutmaster of Troop #124 in Ada. 

After 30 years as a Director, Don still enjoys helping at the Fair. He is currently serving on several committees including Jr Fair Livestock Sale, Fundraising, Antique Tractors, and Boy Scouts. Don is a member of Sugar Grove Church in Ada and has served on the Administrative Board, as a Trustee, and on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee. He is currently employed at Layman Farms in Kenton as an operator and is managing the family grain farm in Ada, which his great-grandfather started in 1892. Don enjoys camping with family and through Scouts, and is fond of auto racing at any level, from go-karts to the F1 Series. He works as a corner marshal at multiple racetracks including Mid-Ohio, Nelson Ledges, IMS, and Daytona. Don and his wife, Amy, were married in 1988 and have 3 children: Lorna, Aaron, and Isaac.