| File Photo: Kristin Martin washes her dairy beef feeder before showing at this year’s Wood County Fair. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune) |
(Updated 9:36am, 09-27-11)
Though it is not Jan. 1, the new year for the Senior Fair Board began
Thursday night as the seven re-elected board members were sworn in and
the officers were elected for the 2011-12 season.
However, the most dramatic news, though not yet finalized, may see the 2012 Wood County Fair start a day
early.
The board voted to ask the state to start the fair on a Monday. The days
requested are July 30 to Aug. 6. For those checking, that would include
the traditional Tuesday through Monday schedule, as well as the
previous Monday.
The shift is a possibility by the believed change in the Lucas County
Fair which traditionally precedes Wood County’s dates in recent history.
If confirmed Wood County’s fair could easily advance a day as there
would be no conflict with vendors and concessionaires being able to be
up and running on Monday morning.
If the move is made, there was some discussion about keeping the
livestock sale on Monday and have no admission charges to the
fairgrounds that day. It would not be a true fair day, with only the
sale being held on what would then be the eighth day.
In preparation of the possibility, committees will be asked to have a
joint meeting in the near future to discuss all the ramifications
involved in adjusting the schedule to a Monday through Sunday format.
One of the reasons for a change involves the lackluster attendance and
support of the fair on the final day, which is Monday. The traditional
demolition derby closing event is a strong draw in the evening and the
livestock sale continues to be successful on the final day, but there is
very little other action.
Many entertainment contracts for the week end on Sunday as those acts or
groups need to proceed to their next destination and pull up stakes on
Sunday. Because most people who attend on Mondays are there for either
the sale during the day or the demo derby at night, there is little
action for the amusement rides, concessionaires and vendors.
There first has to be state approval, followed by the board’s decision to either add a day, or simply
advance everything a day.
In reviewing the records of the 2011 fair, Dick King, the secretary and
fair manager, noticed a possible abuse of “worker’s passes.” The people
who operate food stands, vendor booths, etc. are allowed to purchase
worker passes at a reduced rate allowing them to staff their operation
at the fair. King and the board will be investigating the possibility
that one or more of the operators may be purchasing passes beyond their
needs to allow others to attend the fair without paying the full gate
admission.
In the election, Bill Kale defeated incumbent Rod Lucas in the
presidential election. Donald Bechstein defeated Steve Thompson for the
first vice president position on the second ballot after a tie on the
first ballot. Dave Nietz was also returned to the second vice
president’s position topping John Nissen. Dale Brown will remain the
treasurer as the only candidate on the ballot.
Due to Thanksgiving, the November board meeting will be held one week
earlier on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. There was a sharp division on the board on
when to hold the December meeting, which also usually involves the
Christmas dinner for the board and other invited guests. By an 11-9
decision, with a handful who abstained, in two separate votes, the board
declined to move the meeting to Dec. 15, and then again voted to keep
the meeting on the fourth Thursday, which is Dec. 22, only three days
before Christmas.
The board did go into a brief executive session for legal purposes. Upon returning, no action was taken
on the matter.
