On Wednesday, 4/5 the Fair Board held its regular meeting with all 11 members present.
Jr. Fair Coordinator Rhonda Williams announced that the Jr. Fair Board member Gracelynn Harter was selected to serve a 2-year term as Ohio State Fair Jr. Fairboard Member.
Marla Werner (treasurer) reported about the status regarding the capitol grand and how the funds can be used. Based on the fact that the pandemic caused delays and changed plans, the Board is seeing an extension.
The Board plans to move forward with the construction of a dog barn and a community center with a restroom, kitchenette and storage. The community center could be used throughout the year.
One person in the audience opposed this plan and argued that the swine people started everything and, although the current situation is unsafe and the swine people bring the most money to the fair, they will now be left behind and get nothing.
Several directors claimed that there never was even near enough money to the amount that would be needed to give the hogs a new home and that the grant has a deadline, meaning, if not used by a certain date, they would lose the grant. Also: Cargill wants to see the money they provide to be used for educational purpose (education center) and the community center would “fit the bill”.
The Board also discussed the request from Eldora Speedway to rent some of the fair’s shuttles for their big racing events this summer in exchange for advertising the fair concert at the races. The motion to let Eldora rent the shuttles failed.
After that the renovation of the rabbit restrooms was discussed and the Board voted for the purchase of new urinals.
The Board also voted on a solution for dog and livestock open show exhibitors. In the past, many open show exhibitors had expenses (exhibitor pass, fees, etc.) that could be up to $100 for someone who came to the fair for just one day. Marla Werner suggested to replace the requirement for an exhibitor pass for junior fair participants with a $10 exhibitor fee per species. The exhibitor still has to pay the gate admission fee.
Brian Rismiller reported about the (planning-)status regarding sponsorship for the Fair. He did some research about how other Fair Boards are handling this and is working on a plan and packages that could be offered to sponsors.
The next Fair Board meeting will be on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 @ 7:30PM in the meeting room across the fair office.