Many hands make for less work during county fair

Tara Sheldon, Holmes County Fair Board secretary, stood near the Eli and Gloria Pavilion at the heart of the fairgrounds at Harvest Ridge one day during fair week and gazed out over an impressive crowd, taking in the sights and sounds of the fair that she and the senior fair board, junior fair board and countless other volunteers had fashioned for 2023, a year that marked the 100th anniversary of the Holmes County Fair.

These types of “take-a-deep-breath” moments don’t come along often for the cast of many who make sure the fair is humming along on all cylinders.

Most people won’t ever give a second thought to the work that goes into preparing any fair, let alone one that celebrates such a monumental moment as the 100th year of existence, and Sheldon said that is just the way the board wants it.

“We’re better off that nobody ever gives that a second thought,” Sheldon said. “If everything is running smoothly, then people won’t ever give it a thought. It seems like it’s only when something goes wrong that people say something, but that’s fine with us. We’re happy we can work hard to make it fun for everyone.”

Putting the fair together, ironing out all of the minute details that accompany each summer’s festivities, is nearly a year-long effort. Sheldon said the fair board members will take a break following the fair, but the wheels are always turning. The idea train never stops rumbling down the track, and even visiting other fairs to gain insight on how they can improve next year’s fair keeps them hopping.

From marketing and concessions to the home arts show, special event days, the grandstand entertainment, livestock animals, camping, the stage on the green lineup and more, there is a great deal of work that needs to be doled out throughout the board and other volunteers.

“It’s always amazing to see how the board comes together every year and works together so well,” Sheldon said. “There are a lot of hours dedicated behind the scenes that people won’t ever see or realize. I think some people just think we live here at the fairgrounds and work here full-time, but our entire 22-member director’s board have a full-time job. They do this because they love it and want to make this fair special.”

Adding the 100-year celebration into this year’s mix, Sheldon said it didn’t change the way the board approached preparing for the fair. It just added some new wrinkles that put a little more stress on creating some events.

That list included inviting and recognizing former longtime 4-Hers from the past, special dignitaries, creating a video that celebrated the past 100 years and other special events.

Kerry Taylor, senior fair board president, said watching the members tackle every detail and work as hard as they do behind the scenes is something for which to be grateful.

“I can’t say enough about the job this board does,” Taylor said. “It’s a hard-working group, and they don’t care who gets the credit as long as things get done and done right. We’ve been very blessed to have committed, caring people who have made this fair something unique and special.”

Tim Hershberger, head of buildings and grounds at Harvest Ridge, said with the growing list of organizations and events coming to Harvest Ridge throughout the year, it makes it easier than it was at the former fairgrounds to keep the facility in tip-top shape.

“That has made it so much easier for us because there isn’t this massive rush to prepare the fairgrounds because we do have to keep it looking good all year,” Hershberger said. “We’ve got some great committees that step in and get the job done at fair time. It’s still a lot to prepare for the fair, but we always find a way to get everything ready.”

Board member Chris Hanna said much like a real family, they have their disagreements, and they will bicker, but in the end they are devoted to one another.

“We care about each other, and we are like a family, and we all just want what’s best for the fair,” Hanna said.

Sheldon said many of the board members have been in place doing their thing for many years, and a majority of the board members grew up in Holmes County, which makes it even more special.