Schaeffler Co. participates in first community event at fair

The 2024 Truck and Treat event brought about double the number of vehicles that attended last year’s inaugural event. Vehicles from horses to a Keim Concrete Pumping truck whose spout towered over the grandstand were on hand to greet children and distribute treats.

Representatives of the Schaeffler Company made an appearance at the community event.

Sisters Francesca, 3, and Giavanna Gangale, 6, of Dover grabbed some Popsicles from a freezer that was powered by a Ford F150 high-bred truck that contained a component made by the Schaeffler Company.

“We wanted to come to the fair, meet the community and let them know what we do,” Lisa Armstrong of Schaeffler’s corporate development department said.

Dover Council recently finished approving the last of the legislation needed to put in motion the development of the Dover plant and the infrastructure needed to support it.

“We have a lot of growth coming in the future; we’re excited to be here and get started,” Armstrong said.

A Schaeffler Company banner also hung in the main show arena with other fair sponsor banners.

On Wednesday, in the center of the commercial building and 4-H displays, Jennifer Gardner, children’s department manager at Dover Public Library, read a book to a group of first-graders from Mr. Skaer’s first-grade class from Dover City Schools.

“Throughout the week we have 40 groups. Different librarians from different libraries read to the kids while they have a milk break,” Gardner said. “We have homeschool and public school groups attend.”

It’s a welcome break on a busy fair trip for the students.

The milk is donated to the children by the Tuscarawas County Dairy Farmers.

The first year for the recycling event for free fair admission on Tuesday saw some community participation, and tickets earned were turned in at fair booths. Fair officials hope the program expands next year. The event was coordinated by the Novelis and Kimble companies.

At the horticultural building, Sally Dummermuth was named Canner of the Year, and Brenda Widder was named Gardener of the Year.

The new barn-shaped ticket booth on Tuscarawas Avenue is so fitting outside. A quick look inside shows the gate workers have made good use of the space. With workers’ long daily hours, the ticket booth is their home for the week.

“We’ve got a hot plate, toaster, microwave, air fryer and refrigerator,” said Marla Tristano, who has worked at a fair gate booth for nine years. The booth is air-conditioned too.

The other workers at the Tuscarawas Avenue gate are Robin Cross, Toni Miller and Jaylin Miller. They spend every day of the fair at their gate from 7 a.m. to close at about 10 p.m., with only a one-hour break. They eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at the fair.

Cross pointed out the height of luxury in their booth — a tabletop ice maker. And for those long days, they also have a folding lounge chair for their hourlong break.

Working at the fair is something they are not willing to give up.

“I like it. You meet a lot of people, and I see a lot of people I know,” Cross said.

Tristano even added a country touch to the new booth by installing red gingham valances on the windows.