November 2026 Board Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the November 4, 2026 Hardin County Agricultural Society board meeting, including a new Lynn Township director, a $3,000 bonus for UNOH gate workers, and the December board meeting moved to December 9.

Jake McFadden called the meeting to order.

Present: Abe Decker, Andrew Scharf, Austin Eibling, Charlie McCullough, Craig Decker, Dan Beale, Grant Mizek, Jack McBride, Jake McFadden, Justin Beale, Kirk Cameron, Meghan Yoakum, Nathan Weaver, PJ Noascono, Rob Wilson, Steve Harpster, Tyler Overly.

A quorum was present (17 of 21 board members).

Guests: Randy Clark, Jami Dellifield, Sherri Beale, Judi Cronley, Lori Wilson, Ray Davis, Ernie Davis, Jim Bidwell, Catherine Scharf, Nancy Rickenbacher, Vet Stump, Craig Stump, Joe Sherman, Elzie Mabrey, Janie Seiler, Dick Seiler.

1. Call to Order

The Hardin County Agricultural Society met Wednesday, November 4th, 2026 for their monthly November Board Meeting. There were 17 directors present.

2. Guests

There were 14 guest present.

Jamie Dellifield stated that Josie Schwemer, 2026 Hardin County Fair Queen, has submitted her application to participate in the Ohio Fair’s Queen Contest in January and Twirl has sponsored a dress for Josie to wear at the event.

Ray Davis expressed his dissatisfaction with having a memorial tree taken down for the new livestock building. He would like the Fair Board purchase another white oak tree and plant it in memory of his late wife, Deloris. The Fair Board told him this is being done.

3. Correspondence

Correspondence was read from Kenton Rotary, stating they would like to be housed in the new Event Center. The board stated this is not going to be an option and they will work with the Rotary group in finding another housing option.

4. Minutes of last meeting

Jack McBride and Abe Decker moved to accept last month’s minutes. The motion passed unanimously.

5. Financial Reports

Tyler Overly and Nathan Weaver moved to approve the monthly Financial Report. The motion passed unanimously.

6. Bills to Approve

Abe Decker and Andrew Scharf moved to pay the monthly bills. The motion passed unanimously.

7. Committee Reports

A letter of interest for a vacant township director was read from Justin Beale. Jack McBride and Andrew Scharf moved to appoint Justin to the vacant Lynn Township position. The motion passed unanimously and he was sworn into the position by Judi Cronley, notarizer.

There is still a vacant township director position available for Taylor Creek Township. Anyone who is currently a member of the society can submit a letter of interest to be appointed to that position.

7.1. Jr Fair Board Report

Sherri Beale, JR Fair Board Advisor, stated that JR Fairboard applications are now open. She stated some members are being asked to attend the OFMA Convention in January and that group will be assisting in presenting a JR Fair Board session at the Convention.

7.2. Development Committee

Jake McFadden discussed the meeting minutes from October 28th. The main topics for discussion were a change order to add water hydrants and having concrete added to the approachment on the East and West ends of the building. Tyler Overly and Jack McBride moved to accept the minutes of the Development Committee. The motion passed unanimously.

Jake McFadden stated the livestock building is on schedule, plans have been approved by the state and skirt work will be starting. There has been some small revisions for electrical work to keep within the budget. The next work session for the Development Committee is set for Wednesday, November 18th at 7pm in the Fair Office.

7.3. Executive Committee

It was noted the Executive Committee will be updating committees this month, doing Annual Contracts for Judi Cronley, Randy Clark and Dennis Hinton, update Rental rates and update the rental contract to include the new alcohol policy. They will also be approving the 2027 budget.

The Executive Committee will be electing 2 new directors at the December Board meeting, since Tyler Overly and Corey Ledley will be rotating off.

7.4. Grounds Committee

Rob Wilson, Grounds Committee Chairman, stated Randy and help has winterized the water lines. There has been some reseeding on spots at the fairgrounds, from ruts being formed during the 2026 fair. There is still a great deal of ruts in the East Parking lot that need to be worked on. A gas line that runs from the Pork Producer Building to the Arts/Crafts being has been shut off and a new gas line is needed for the new event center to tap into. The work of running a new gas line will be started next week. There is currently no heat in the Arts/Crafts building due to this issue. It was noted vehicles can still be stored in the Youth/Ag. Building for $30 a month and the last storage date is July 31st, 2027.

7.5. Camping Committee

It was noted there are major ruts in the East Fair Camping area from the 2026 fair and work to even the ground out will be needed.

7.6. Entertainment Committee

PJ Noascono, grounds Entertainment Chairman, has secured a magician for the 2027 Fair. He is working on getting more free grounds entertainment. Rob Wilson stated the headliner contract for the 2027 Concert has been signed and that openers are being looked into. Once an opener has been secured, then the concert names will be announced. This is hoped to be done by the end of December.

7.7. Livestock Committees

Jack McBride, JR Fair Sale Committee Chairman, went over the minutes from the sale committee on October 21st. There was only one change to the sale committee this year and that is to let the livestock exhibitors that are in the milk sale, to now be able to receive add on bids, too. Jack McBride and Steve Harpster moved to approve the Sale Committee Minutes. The motion passed unanimously. Judi noted there are still 3 businesses that owe money from the livestock sale and they are: The Knedler Family, Minich Truck Repair and Walnut Creek Farms. That total is only $425. There are still 14 Livestock Exhibitor checks that need picked up, too. Those checks can be picked up in the Fair Secretary Office during Secretary office hours until Friday, November 20th. All livestock sale checks need to be cashed by the end of November. A reminder to all livestock committees that they need to meet by December 15th and submit their minutes to the Fair Secretary to be approved by the whole board. Austin Eibling stated the Steer weigh in and tagging is scheduled for Saturday, January 2nd from 9am – 11am on the fairgrounds.

7.8. Rides, Concessions & Vendors

Judi noted there are still 2 concessionaires that have not paid for their spots from the 2026 fair. They are BCA cuts and Bologne Express. Attorney, Mark Schwemer, is working on letters to send to them about repercussions from not paying.

7.9. Advertising/Sponsorship Committee

It was noted the Advertising and Sponsorship Committee needs to meet this month and set their budget for 2027.

7.10. Tech. Committee

Jake McFadden, Tech Committee Chairman, stated JB Networks is working on a sound proposal for the new livestock building and is exploring prices for the new Event Center.

7.11. Other Committees

Rob Wilson announced the Fair Reverse Raffle is set for Saturday, February 13th. He stated Catherine Scharf has been added to the committee. He stated the profit from this year’s raffle will go towards the purchase of tables and chairs for the new Event Center.

Sherri Beale, Chairperson for the Pedal Tractor Pull, stated that Ridgemont FFA is making another sled for them to use during the tractor pull. This will help make the event go quicker.

8. Old Business

Jr. Fair and Open Class premium money can still be picked up in cash from the Fair Secretary Office on Wednesday and Fridays from 9-4pm until Friday, November 20th. Inventory sheets need to be turned in. Judi noted there are 28 registered to attend the OFMA convention this year and she will be giving those staying overnight their hotel information at the December Board meeting.

9. New Business

Judi announced the November and December rentals. Rob Wilson and Steve Harpster moved to nominate Jack McBride as Hardin County Fair’s Delegate for the 2027 Convention and Jake McFadden as the alternate. The motion passed unanimously. It was announced the Fair Secretary Office will be closed the day after Thanksgiving this year. A bonus for the great job that UNOH did working the gates for the 2026 Hardin County Fair was discussed. These groups were all part of their athletic programs. Kirk Cameron and Tyler Overly moved to give them a $3,000 bonus. The motion passed unanimously. Judi will get that paid.

10. Adjournment

It was announced the December Board Meeting will be Wednesday, December 9th at 7pm in the Fair Office, one week later than usual to give Judi more time to finalize the Annual Report. Charlie McCullough moved to adjourn the meeting.