Editor, Times-Union: Fair time is just around the corner! Fair organizers are working diligently to prepare national, state and local fairs.
In Kosciusko County the Extension service and fair organization began their preparation last fall by choosing the responsible committees and superintendents. As in any organization, the committees are responsible for the materialization of the event.
In December the Extension office and fair office began collecting information for the Premium Fair Book. In March the fair books became a reality and were distributed.
During winter months, the fair board and Extension service committees attended many meetings and worked diligently to prepare for the fair. The fair board arranged the entertainment, carnival, guards, food vendors, merchant vendors, sponsorships, etc. The Extension service acquired full responsibility for approximately 820 4-H youth, 300 4-H leaders and volunteers and 600 Extension Club members.
Springtime came very quickly. 4-H youth and adult leaders supported the fairgrounds through efforts of cleaning buildings, constructing displays and working in the community garden.
May and June become extremely busy for those involved who prepare for the week of the fair. During this time, high school girls will work in both offices on special assignments. One can see them feeding many reams of paper through the copier, answering the telephone, running errands and accomplishing many detailed duties to help office employees and volunteers. At certain times both offices are far too small for all the activity.
One week before the fair, the Extension service will move its office to the east end of the fairgrounds. This avoids much mileage and time for those individuals who need assistance in both areas.
During the fair, the Extension Office will welcome the youth who exhibit, adults who are volunteering and business groups that purchase livestock at the auction. The fair office will acquire the duties of administering all circumstance that transpires on the grounds. Collectively both groups will provide a well groomed, educational and entertaining atmosphere for public enjoyment.
After the fair is over, the fairgrounds becomes groomed and displays put away until the next fair. The Extension Office will return to the courthouse which will be arranged for another year. After the exhaustion has departed each office will work diligently for one or two months to provide accountability for both entities.
Shortly after the accredited accounts are prepared, the two separate entities will evaluate the overall picture of the fair.
In September the offices will have tranquilized and before we know it, October will come and the creation of another fair will originate.
