Ag Society holds September board meeting

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026, for their September monthly board meeting. There were 20 directors and 6 guests present.

Jake McFadden, Board President, called the meeting to order.

Joe Sherman, County Commissioner, stated DryLane Construction was awarded the bid to construct a new Event Center for the fairgrounds, replacing the current 4-H section and remaining Machinery building. They have a completion date of July 15th, 2027. The building will be 300×120 square feet with additional office space of 60×100 square feet. The public can donate to the Hardin County Ag. Society, to be a sponsor towards the construction of the new building. The current remaining Machinery will start to be torn down right after the completion of this year’s 2026 fair.

Correspondence was read from a JR Fairboard member and the Cloverbuds.

Amanda Raines and Sherri Beale, JR Fairboard Advisors, stated award/sponsorship money continues to come in. Trophies for the 2026 fair have been delivered. The JR Fair Board will meet every night of the fair at 9pm in the Community Building.

The next work session for the first livestock building is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 23rd at 7pm. Groundbreaking for the first livestock building will take place at 1pm on Tuesday of the fair.

Rob Wilson, Chairman of the Ground’s Committee, stated the kitchen hoods in the restaurants have been approved. The grounds were sprayed today and the livestock barns will be sprayed tomorrow. The Announcer’s stand in the infield has been completed. The utility sheds still need electric work done. Rented tents will be put up tomorrow. The re-construction of the WiFi and sound wiring is almost complete, from tornado damages. The county has patched some roads on the fairgrounds and have delivered additional stone needed. Directors will be having nightly meetings, each night of the fair. Directors agreed to purchase an articulating electric boom lift with a 40′ work height and 22′ horizontal reach for $19,400 – with the conditions it works fine during the fair. The motion passed unanimously. It was announced that there will not be any winter storage, except for vehicles this winter season – d/t the buildings being constructed.

East Fair Camping Renters have been notified that the two rows in the East that were to be upgraded, did not get done, d/t too many projects from the tornado damage. Fair campers can pick up their hang tags and wristbands for the fair in the fair office during business hours. It was noted fair campers need to be in place by Monday, Sept. 7th and you can not move your camper out until after 7pm on Sunday of the fair or they will lose their spot for next year. East lot camping spots have been marked.

Tickets for the Saturday night’s fair concert with Aaron Tippin with Chris Cagle as the opener, are on sale by going to the Fair’s website. Cheerleading judges contracts have been sent.

Livestock exhibitors have until Saturday, Sept. 5th to fill out their DUNF papers on line. This is mandatory for livestock exhibitors. Livestock scales have been tested. Copies of individual JR Fair Sections for livestock are available for pick up in the fair office, since they are not published in the Open Class Fair Book. The Annual Sale Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21st at 7pm. Livestock Exhibitor Sale Checks can be picked up in the Fair Secretary Office Saturday, Oct. 10th from 9am – 12pm and then during Secretary Office Hours until Friday, Nov. 20th. They can also be picked up on Wednesday, Nov. 4th from 9am to 6pm. And the checks need to be cashed by the end of November.

Vendor and Concession renters can pick up their admission packets in the Fair Office during business hours this weekend and on Monday, Labor Day. Booths need to be paid before tickets are given and they need to be picked up before the fair starts on Tuesday.

Old Business:

The Fair Office will be open this weekend – Saturday 9-5pm, Sunday 12 – 5pm and Monday, Labor Day 9am to 8pm. Open Class entry tags can be picked up starting this Friday 9-5pm, Saturday 9-5pm, Sunday 12 – 5pm or Monday 9-6pm. JR Fair exhibitors should have received their Youth/Season Pass from their advisor, but if they are in 4-H or are a livestock exhibitor in 4-H they can be picked up in the Fair Office and then on Monday at the JR Fair Sale Office window.

The Emergency Management Meeting Minutes were approved by the directors. Fraud Training is still needed from several board members. A reminder that season ticket prices go up in price this Friday, Sept. 4th to $35 (a $5 increase).

New Business:

The Fair office will be open during the fair from 9-5pm, except for Sunday it’s 12 – 5pm. Petitions for the November Fair Board Director Election are due by Wednesday, Oct. 28th at 4pm. Up for election this year are: 2 directors at large for a 3 year term, Lynn Twp. for a 2 year term and Taylor Creek, Marion, McDonald, Cessna, and Blanchard Twp’s. for a 3 year term. Petitions can be picked up any time during Office Hours. Reminder, if you are a new candidate running for a position, you need to attend the Oct. Fair Board Meeting to be considered a candidate.

$2 membership tickets can be purchased after a season ticket is purchased until Wednesday, Oct. 14th.

JR Fair and Open Class premium money can be picked up in cash form from 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 Fair Secretary Office on Wednesday and Fridays 9-4pm until Friday, Nov. 20th. Other possible dates to pick up the money is Saturday, Oct. 10th from 9-12 noon and Wednesday, Nov. 4th 9-6pm.

The end of year wrap up meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 23rd at 6pm.

Open Class entries are up by 454 entries this year compared to last year. Judi needs to know which directors are wanting to attend the Fair Convention this year, to reserve Hotels.

Directors agreed to purchase a steer at the JR Fair Livestock Auction for staff and the motion was amended to include purchasing any left over meat from champions and donating it to an organization.

It was noted the Fall District meeting is set for Thursday, Oct. 15th, at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds.

The next monthly fair board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7th, 2026 at 7pm in the Community Building.