Today my cruise through the Crawford County Fairgrounds brought many positive thoughts. That was because over 20 sites had made grand efforts to plant and mulch their buildings. As much as the work comes with creativity and donations from a number of businesses and human energy, for me it becomes personal every year.
Twenty-five years ago as "Company's Coming" efforts were initiated there were around five entries. At that time the notion to plant around buildings found its way from Seneca County to our fairgrounds. How? In 1998, my invitation to judge the flower show there became a request to view plantings at five of their buildings to determine winners. That's all it took. There is nothing wrong with copying a great idea especially if it is a good one.
When this notion was presented to our fair board, the reaction was positive − "come back with a proposal." Drafting a scoresheet was easy. There were four components to be evaluated − the overall look, the originality, health of plantings and the quality of workmanship. To this day, these form the scorecard as groups undertake the enhancement of a building or site.
Going on a 'Christmas Faircation' this year
Through the years buildings where 4-Hers are involved have applied the theme for the year. This was evident Monday as several plantings unveiled "Christmas Faircation." Some sights that struck me included the Junior Fair sheep barn that had torn out everything from last season. Everything was new in that plot.
Others held on to basic plants and added colorful annuals. The North Robinson Blue Ribbon Winners 4-H Club made a supreme effort with a tire painted green forming a wreath, a sleigh drawn by a cow, a sheep a chicken and a rabbit. So dear. Oh, to be sure, the planting was heavily managed with red geraniums − very healthy.
It seemed to me the judges appreciated plantings that had been in place for a few years but were well-groomed. Simplicity and repetition were honored.
At the end of the day Monday, the top placing small plantings were the Camp Millard Memorial facing Whetstone Street, first, The Young Riders Barn, second and the poultry barn, third where a holiday tree was simulated.
Kudos to the plot winners
Medium plot winners were: Junior Fair sheep barn, first; the Merchants Building (west side), second; and the North Robinson Blue Ribbon Winners, third. The large plot winners were: The Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club flower show building, first; the beef cattle barn, second; and Lykens Champions, third. The Junior Fair sheep barn was selected as the Grand Champion effort for 2024.
If you think about the total number of planted plots, you will realize another 10 spots bring beauty and a welcome to the visitors who already are arriving on our fairgrounds for the 2024 fair. This places beautification throughout the grounds, demonstrating a caring. It should suggest to more people not just an an acceptance of pride but an application of it.
A fair is so much more than the presence of maintained flowers and shrubbery, which quickly fade into the background as people become the colorful element, and events and critter shows focus on the skills of people. Seeing this truth, there is a personal thankfulness for the Crawford County Senior Fair Board's ongoing support in providing funds for "Company's Coming" awards and managing the contest for the last 25 years.
With open arms we welcome fairgoers.
Mary Lee Minor is a member of the Earth, Wind and Flowers Garden Club, an accredited master gardener, a flower show judge for the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs and a former sixth grade teacher.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Over the Garden Fence: New plantings to welcome visitors to the Crawford County Fair
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