Pickaway County Fair – Behind the Scenes

Two fair boards work hard behind the scenes to make the Pickaway County Fair a success.

Senior Fair Board member Christy Pence reports that safety for both exhibitors and fairgoers is a top priority during this final week leading up to the fair.

“We make sure that we have proper signage and instructions for our exhibitors and folks walking through the barns. We put up the backdrop for the kids to take their pictures safely with their animals. Kids start moving their tack (livestock supplies) in on Wednesday, so we have the barns marked with where the clubs should put their things.”

For more news about the upcoming fair, which includes a story about the fair’s queen and king candidates, see the B section.

The senior fair board has a livestock sale committee that oversees the livestock sale which is the culmination of the exhibitors’ hard work throughout the year.

“It takes a whole team of people to make sure everything goes well with the sale. From sending out buyer letters, making sure all information is included for exhibitors, such as sale intention instructions, getting auctioneers lined up, setting up the sale area, it is a well-choreographed event,” said Pence.

The senior fair board works hard to ensure that exhibitors have the best experience possible.

“We have a philosophy and methodology that it is always about the kids. We also want to provide our fairgoers with a variety of entertainment and attractions. It is important that we meet the expectations for fun that people have when they come out to the fair. The bottom line is that we are excited to have a part in making memories for our kids.”

The Junior Fair Board is comprised of 37 4-H and FFA members and several Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

“Our junior fair board is fabulous,” said Joy Sharp, long-time OSU Extension 4-H Educator. “We begin with interviews for Junior Fair Board positions in November, and then spend eight months preparing for the fair. We practice skills, such as how to run a show, speak into a microphone, and work with others as a team, so it’s life skills and soft job skills. In May we have a work day on the fairgrounds to weed and mulch and plant flowers. We are busy now getting awards and ribbons sorted and organized.”

Sharp continued, “Two years ago a Junior Fair Board committee created a banner about each specie of livestock, and they clean and hang those yellow and green banners in each livestock barn. During the fair, they will run shows, pass out awards, continuously work with the Senior Fair Board to set up and tear down as needed. They will also run a Junior Fair fun event on Monday night in the Pavilion.”

This year there are nearly 900 livestock projects and over 400 non-livestock projects, exhibited by over 700 young people. The number of 2024 Cloverbuds is 90 members ages 5-8.

There are 31 clubs and 4 FFA chapters exhibiting at the fair. 4-H clubs are required to have a fair booth to display their project work.

Miscellaneous project (non-livestock) judging will take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Sharp enjoys seeing the kids come in and tell all about the experiences they have had with their project — what they did, what they learned, and what they brought to show the judge.

“It’s so heartwarming to see the kids come in when they’re younger and they are nervous for that interview but, by the end of the interview, they’ve begun to understand what they’ve accomplished. As that continues each year, we see those kids learning and demonstrating their interview skills,” Sharp explained.

Exhibitors can help themselves by being prepared for the interview during miscellaneous project judging. They should carefully read what is expected of them in their project books and other information provided, work hard to complete the project, and then come prepared to tell the judge all the great things that happened with that project.

Sharp encourages first-time livestock exhibitors to take pride in their projects and prepare for the livestock sale held on Saturday.

“Everything leads up to that moment where they have the opportunity to show the hard work that went into their livestock project. They should prepare themselves and their animal as if it was a show day and walk into the sale arena ready to demonstrate their hard work and be ready to thank all those who have supported them, the community, family, and advisors.”

Days at the fair can be long. When asked if she had any advice for first-time exhibitors, Sharp encourages new families to carefully read the fair book, read the newsletters, ask questions, and be ready to roll with whatever comes throughout the week.

“This week it’s going to be the heat. Be prepared to learn what it takes to have a successful and educational and fun fair, and enjoy it as a family.”