Candidates Compete for Fair Royalty Titles
2025 King Candidate:
Henry Nyzen: Henry is the son of Rob and Kelly Nyzen, of Troy Township.
He is a junior at Berkshire High School, where he is a member of the club swim team and has participated on both the cross country and track teams.
Henry is a member of Boy Scout Troop 197 in Burton and has received the rank of Eagle Scout.
He is a member of Breeders and Feeders 4-H Club. He has shown both sheep and steer at The Great Geauga County Fair and is proud to have won the Grand Champion Carcass for steer in 2024.
When not busy with his fair responsibilities, Henry enjoys hanging out at the fair with friends.
Like so many others, his favorite fair food is found at the Junior Leaders Milkshake booth.
2025 Queen Candidates:
Helena Haar: Helena is the daughter of William and Casey Haar, of Auburn Township.
She is a senior at Auburn Career Center and Kenston High School. She is a mem ber of Auburn’s National Technical Honor Society, plays the clarinet in Kenston’s concert and marching bands and participates in the Kenston High School Gardening Club. She is a Life Teen member at Saint Helen’s Church and volunteers her time at vacation bible school as well as Century Village in Burton.
Campbell Hoar: Campbell is the daughter of Joel and Lindsey Hoar, of Bur ton Township.
She is a senior at Berkshire High School, where she is a member of both National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She proudly serves as president of Future Farmers of America at Berkshire.
An active 4-H member, Campbell belongs to Junior Leaders and Breeders and Feeders and is the current vice president of Sew Sew Sweet 4-H Club. She sits on both the Junior Fair Board and Junior Fair Fashion Board, of which she currently serves as vice president.
Helena belongs to Giggles ‘n Stitches 4-H Club and is a member of Junior Fair Board and the Junior Fair Fashion Board.
As a Girl Scout, she received the Silver Award and participates in sewing projects at our fair. She was proud to receive the Clothing and Masters Award and was chosen to participate at the Ohio State Fair in 2024.
Helena is especially fond of our fair’s delicious French waffles!
Her favorite part of the fair is performing with the Kenston Marching Band at the Band-o-Rama on Sunday and just hanging out on the fairgrounds with her friends.
our fair. Her animal projects have included sheep, poultry, market hogs and rabbits, and she is especially proud of her 2024 Grand
She is a graduate of Leadership Geauga Youth Institute, represents Ohio Farm Bu reau on the Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board and is vice president of the Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council.
of the women’s varsity bowling team, a wres tling statistician and a four-year recipient of the Lozick Foundation Scholarship.
Allie is an avid volunteer, giving her time as a Certified Peer Educator, at vacation bible school and to the Geauga Hunger Task Force.
She also enjoys her time spent working at both Mangia Mangia and Geauga Feed & Grain.
She has volunteered as a counselor at Camp Whitewood and has competed in both cattle and sewing projects at our fair. She recently was selected to join the Ohio 4-H Cultural Immersion trip to Puerto Rico and was proud to receive an Outstanding Geauga 4-H Member Award in 2024.
In her free time during the fair, Campbell enjoys browsing through all the crafts in the Fine Arts Building and she loves the breakfast sandwiches at the GHPA booth.
Campbell Reese: From Chester Township, Campbell is the daughter of Bill and Kristin Patterson and Matt Reese.
She is a senior at West Geauga High School and a College Credit Plus student at Lakeland Community College. She is the president of West Geauga’s Honor Society, the vice president of Student Council and participates in both the concert and marching bands.
As a member of the Ohio Youth Institute, Campbell was named the Norman Borlaugh Scholar for her essay presented for the World Food Prize program. She is a member of Breeders and Feeders 4-H Club, the current president of Junior Leaders and serves on the Junior Fair Board.
Campbell has participated in baking, decorating, leadership and citizen projects at
Campbell loves walking from her camper onto the fairgrounds each morning and watching as the fair comes to life. She believes Stewart’s BBQ has the best brisket mac and cheese around.
Allie Wiseman: Allie is the daughter of Rich and Rebecca Wiseman, of Burton Township.
She is a senior at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School, where she is an Honor Roll Student, member of Life Teen, captain
Allie is serving her second terms as president of Geauga Livestock and vice president of Feathers and Fleece 4-H clubs, and currently is vice president of Junior Fair Board.
Her fair projects have included lambs, goats, turkeys and chickens and she is proud to have received Feather and Fleece’s Leadership Award in 2024.
When not busy with her own responsibilities, Allie enjoys walking the fairgrounds to see everyone’s hard work and accomplishments. She looks forward to grabbing a cold Tex’s Lemonade and her favorite fair fries.
Hoar
Reese Nyzen Wiseman
The 2025 Junior Fairboard
The Geauga County Junior Fairboard is made up of representatives from seven different youth organizations from across the county including: 4-H, Farm Bureau, GHPA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Grange. Together, they plan and organize the Junior Fair portion of The Great Geauga County Fair.
The purpose of Junior Fair Board is to promote the interests of Geauga County youth through educational exhibits and activities at The Great Geauga County Fair. Whenever possible, activities of the junior exhibitors shall be coordinated for the benefit of the total youth.
Meetings are usually held the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on the Geauga County
O'Reilly
To become a representative of the Junior Fair Board, a youth must be at least 14
terview process. Finally, the selected youth are notified and then begin a rewarding Fair experience.
rey Haefke, Campbell Hoar, Cheyenne Humes, Anthony Intellisano, Benjamin Lane, Danielle Lane, Emilia Larkins,
Avery Taylor; Vice President, Allie Wiseman; and Secretary, Campbell Hoar.
Roosters & Ruckus
Crowing Contest Director Recalls Fair’s Noisiest Tradition
By Emma macNivEN macNivEN@karlovEcmEdia com
During the Rooster Crowing Contest at the Great Geauga County Fair, the loudest voices don't usually belong to people — that is, unless there's a bird flu outbreak.
Just ask David Parker, longtime director of the Rooster Crowing and Chicken Flying contests, who recently recalled when humans stepped up to the mic to do their best rooster impressions in the absence of actual poultry in 2015.
That year, no poultry were allowed on the Geauga County Fairgrounds due to a bird flu outbreak, resulting in contest coordinators having to get creative.
What was traditionally a rooster-crowing event became the human-crowing contest.
“That year, we had humans compete by doing their best rooster crows into a microphone,” Parker said.
Anomaly years aside, one of Parker’s favorite parts of the Rooster-Crowing Contest is seeing the different names owners come up with for their roosters, he said.
“Many of them are named after celebrities or food,” he added.
Every year, there’s also at least one “mishap,” where a rooster will go mute during the contest, Parker said.
“A rooster who is very vocal at home, or right up until the competition, will decide to go silent once the timer starts,” he said. “It's
always disappointing for someone to score a zero.”
This year's Rooster Crowing Contest will take place at 4 p.m. Aug. 31 at the small arena.
Roosters of any breed and any age are permitted at a limit of two birds per owner, per the fair board rules.
Participants must bring roosters in cages, one rooster being allowed in each cage and the fair board recommended the cage be twice as tall as the rooster.
Roosters must be covered until the contest begins, then a judge will tally the number of times the bird crows in 15 minutes after the cage is uncovered.
The first place award is $15, second place award is $10 and third place award is $5.
An extra $5 will be awarded to the first place bird if he crows more than 49 times, which was done last in 2012 by Chatterbox, owned by Justin Glinski.
“We have families that come back year after year to attempt to beat his record,” Parker said. “He was small, but mighty.”
Participants will receive $1 for each bird entered.
Registration is from 3-3:30 p.m. Aug. 31. at the small arena.
Participants must bring papers to show the roosters have been tested for Pullorum. They can be tested Aug. 27 from 5-8 p.m. near the poultry barn.
High Steel Rodeo Thrills Geauga Fair Crowds
Staff rEport
The Great Geauga County Fair is celebrating the thrilling world of cowboys, horses and adrenaline-pumping action with its High Steel Rodeo at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Main Grandstand.
“One of the world's most exciting and dangerous sports. On Labor Day, The Great Geauga County Fair will offer families a chance to see championship bull riding and barrel racing,” fair officials said on the fair website.
“Discover an array of rodeo events, from heart-stopping bull riding to lightning-fast barrel racing, as top-notch riders showcase their skills and bravery,” fair officials said.
“Whether you're a seasoned rodeo enthusiast or a curious newcomer, bring your friends and family to an unforgettable experience and create cherished memories.
“Join us as we celebrate the spirit of the Wild West and witness the captivating performances that define the true essence of rodeo,” fair officials added. “Get ready to saddle up, hold on tight, and experience the rodeo adventure of a lifetime.”
In the case of inclement weather, the show may be postponed or canceled. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable for any reason.
At the gate, tickets will be scanned and each guest will receive a wristband for exiting and re-entering the grandstand. Fair admission is not included in the cost of the event.
Heath Davis, owner and founder of High Steel Rodeo Productions was born and raised
in West Farmington, Ohio. His passion for livestock and the rodeo industry started at a very young age. At the age of 17, Heath started riding bulls and continued to ride for ten years, six of which were professional in several organizations where he won numerous awards and buckles.
After the birth of his first daughter, Heath took a step back from bull riding to pursue his dreams of owning Bloomfield Livestock Auction with his daughters by his side.
Owning the sale barn led Heath back to his passion for rodeo life and bucking bulls, giving him the opportunity to build High Steel Rodeo Productions into the 2019 SEBRA New Outdoor Show of the Year.
Heath started High Steel Rodeo Productions in 2018 with only one event for the year. He has expanded to six home rodeos per year and multiple rodeos across northeast Ohio.
Along with owning the rodeo, he also proudly raises all of High Steel Rodeo’s bulls in his hometown of West Farmington. Heath’s bucking bulls not only buck for High Steel Rodeo Productions, but also travel all over the United States bucking at rodeos all year round. His passion and love for bucking bulls has helped him achieve SEBRA’s “Stock Contractor of the Year” three times!
In 2022, Heath expanded his sale barns by purchasing Damascus Stockyards in Salem, OH. He is currently in the process of making improvements to the Damascus facility.
From May into October he has six rodeos at his North Bloomfield facility. Season tickets are available on the Steel Rodeo website.
Pre-Entry Eliminated for Rose & Dahlia Contest
By aNN WiShart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com
Raising the perfect rose or dahlia is a challenge.
Even tougher was getting the ideal spec imens to the Great Geauga County Fair to be judged at their peak, said Meg Noah, fair board secretary.
This year, the board changed the entry rules to accommodate the timing of the del icate blooms, weeding out the requirement that growers must pre-enter blooms they don’t know will exist by the time the judges arrive at the flower barn at the end of August.
This year, growers can present their en tries Aug. 29 before the judging on Aug. 30, she said.
Historically, when entries had to be reg istered by the first Wednesday in August — several weeks in advance of the show — it was hard to know if the rose bush or dahlia plant would produce a competitive bloom by judgment day.
“They can be very finicky. You might not get the same thing, year to year,” Noah said.
Entries must be brought to the flower barn between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. Aug. 29, said fair board Director Cheryl Carr, who is in charge of the rose and dahlia show and has 20 years of experience in the flower barn.
“Exhibitors don’t know what they have to enter until that day,” she said. “It makes it almost impossible to pre-enter.”
Whether the lack of pre-entry at the flower building is going to create a problem is still unknown, Carr said.
“Change is always hard because you never know if you have written (the new rule) clearly. We’ll have to get through the first year,” Carr said, adding she talked to dahlia and rose growers about altering the requirement.
Passionate about Posies
There is an art and a science to growing exhibit-worthy roses and dahlias, said Carr.
“Some dahlia growers put umbrellas over their flowers,” she said. “They’re out there snipping every day. They cover the blooms with netting to keep bugs off. These people are serious about what they are doing.”
Most years, a rainbow of hundreds of dahl-
ias are on display in the flower barn, entered by novices, small growers and large growers.
Three sections separate the amateurs from the professionals in the rose and dahlia contests.
Novices are growers who have won fewer than five blue ribbons while small growers generally grow 100 or fewer plants. Large growers have more than 100 plants, according to the fair book.
Regardless of their section, the growers love their blooms and submit them to a team of six judges who start their inspection bright and early that Saturday morning.
Teresa McKinstry, Carr’s assistant, said she has been involved in the fair for 20 years, starting when her sons were showing dairy cattle in the Junior Fair. She has talked to hundreds of growers and breeders of new varieties over the years.
“They are very passionate, especially the dahlia people,” she said.
By the end of August, depending on the weather, most growers will have a good selection of perfect blooms to enter at the fair, she said.
“Our dahlia show is at the right time of year. Dahlias are doing well then,” McKinstry See Flowers • Page B9
Great Geauga County Fair rose and dahlia contest every year.
said. “We do get a lot of entries in all divisions in the flower hall. We could have as many as 500 roses and dahlias.”
The flower show competes for entries against other shows. That can determine how many entries there are, Carr said.
“Dahlia and rose numbers have been up and down over the years. The last couple of years have been a little light,” Carr said. “As long as the American Dahlia Society show isn't close, ours is usually huge.”
This year, the national show is Sept.18-22 in Chicago.
On Saturday, the judges — six for dahlias and two for roses — begin their search for the perfect blooms.
“Its really hard to tell what they are looking for,” Carr said. The perfect contestant will be bug-free with healthy blooms. Conformation, the quality of the bloom and stem, how the bloom sits on the stem — all are taken into account, she said.
Preparing to display hundreds of entries takes months, McKinstry said, adding her husband, Roger, adds his experience as a novice grower to the effort.
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They look forward to seeing old friends and their entries, old favorite varieties or a breeder’s original cross effort.
“It’s fun to see the new ones,” she said.
Carr noted the contest is open to anyone with a bloom who has an urge to join the fun.
“Anyone can enter. It's a fun way to participate in the fair,” she said. “If you have something you can display, you might win a ribbon or award.”
The Great Geauga County Fair’s best of show
Kempf’s Custom Butchering has grown by leaps and bounds in the six years it has been in business in Mesopotamia Township.
Owner Rudy Kempf, leaning on the counter in the spotless shop at 5161 Parks Road West, said he has more than tripled his business since opening in the fall of 2019.
His roasts, steaks and chops, skillfully cut and packed by 15 employees, find their way around much of Northeast Ohio.
“I have a lot of return customers,” he said, adding those include restaurants in Cleveland and Orwell.
He also has outlets at convenience stores in Hartville, Braceville, Parkman and Mecca townships, Kempf said.
“I feel really blessed for what I have,” he said.
The summer is very busy in the 6,300-square-foot concrete facility with the influx of steers, hogs, lambs and goats from sales barns at the Geauga, Lake, Trumbull, Portage and Ashtabula county fairs, he said.
“Summer just keeps coming,” he said.
The animals are humanely killed under the watchful eye of state inspectors, following the U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines, Kempf said.
The carcasses of fair animals are then hung in the immense cooler until his employees cut them as specified, freeze the packages of meat and store it until it can be collected by the lucky auction bidder.
The owner likes to keep his hand in the process.
“I still love to cut meat,” he said.
Kempf said he and his wife, Lydia, were encouraged to build their first 2,600 square feet by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
The ODA helped them work through the process and funding starting in 2018 and visited every week to view their progress.
“They helped us get started. The inspectors encouraged me all the way through,” Kempf said, recalling the 90-day validation period.
“It was very stressful,” he said. “We got through it with God’s help.”
The business is a dream come true for Kempf.
“This is something I always wanted to do,” he said. “I wanted to own a slaughterhouse. I just couldn’t afford it.”
The spacious lobby is lined with stand-up freezers. The shelves are neatly loaded with a variety of cuts of meat, ready to be thawed for dinner.
In another room, employees slice, weigh and package the meat.
Nearby, a door opens to display a full cooler of whole hogs and sides of beef hanging, waiting to be custom cut for sale or to order.
Kempf said most of his workers have been with him for years, noting when he gets good workers, he does his best to keep them.
“We have very good people working with us and we enjoy each other,” he said, adding he is grateful for everybody who helped start his business and keep it successful.
The cooler at Kempf’s Custom Butchering at 5161 Parks Road West in Mesopotamia Township
Giggles ‘n Stitches 4-H Club’s Exciting Summer Events
SuBmittEd By hElENa haar
The club's Vice President, Isabelle Violette, led a service project to collect school supplies to donate to the Help Me Learn program by Jobs and Family Services. The club members were able to donate 194 items, which will help local students have a good start for this school year! Club members completed another fun service project by making multiple no- sew fleece blankets. The blankets will be handed out to Veterans on Friday of the Great Geauga County Fair.
On July 15th, Giggles 'n Stitches and all Geauga County clothing and quilting projects had a day of project judging at Berkshire Local Schools. Club members have been working on their projects since the spring. Judging took place during the day and ended with a Style Show in the evening. Participants were able to show off all of the hard work they put into their projects! Many of the participants moved on to the Ohio State Fair competition in Columbus.
The Ohio State Fair included state fair qualifiers from all 88 counties. Only the top 20% in each class receive “Outstanding of the Day” and our 4-H Club was excited to
have two club members win for their quilts. Margaret Zallar won for her Self-Determined Quilt project. Lucy Weaver won for her You Can Quilt project and she also received the prestigious Clock Trophy for being the top of her class!
Giggles 'n Stitches had multiple members attend State Fair for their clothing projects and general projects. Kate Moore won an Outstanding for her Bicycling for Fun project, Audrey Knaus was awarded an Outstanding for her Accessories for Teens project, and Rebecca Zallar was awarded an Outstanding in the Em*bel*lish category.
The club is looking forward to the Great Geauga County Fair, August 28th to September 1st. The Junior Fair theme is “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights.” Our Club will decorate a display booth in the Junior Fair Building. The Club is happy to have one of their members on the Junior Fair Court, Helena Haar. Members will also volunteer their time at the Junior Fair Milkshake Booth on Saturday. They will conclude their time at the fair with the Junior Fair Style Show on Monday, September 1st, in the Junior Fair Building starting at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to watch the show and cheer on our club members.
Antiques from 1925-1950 on Display
Northeast Ohio is a stonghold of homes full of antiques and many of them may show up at the Great Geauga County Fair antique hall Aug. 26, to be judged Aug. 27.
This year many entries will hale from the 1925 to 1950 era, about the time The Greatest Generation, born between 1901 to 1927, was coming of age and setting up households after World War I and in the aftermath of World War II.
This year, a special section will feature antiques reflecting the fair’s frog theme with class one displaying frog figures and class two frog jewelry.
Clear, colored and Depression glass items have their own sections, as does China.
Six classes from Occupied Japan are fol-
lowed by a wide variety of jewelry.
Kitchen items including ice cream scoops, milk bottles, cookie jars, rolling pins and three varieties of Fiesta Ware.
Displays of advertising for Coca-Cola, biscuits or crackers, coffee, baking powde, Planters Peanuts, and maple syrup will remind visitors of their grandmothers’ kitchens.
Antique pottery, textiles, dolls and toys will be judged in numerous classes, followed by miscellaneous classes for items such as music boxes, railroad items, hats, Saturday Evening Post magazines, World War II items, postcards and children’s clothing.
Section 14 will feature four classes of furniture: small stand; small rocking chair, smoking stand and child’s furniture.
Travel Through History at Fair
The Great Geauga County Fair is Ohio’s oldest continuous county fair and one of the oldest existing agricultural fairs in the nation.
First Agricultural Society Takes Root in Geauga
In 1823, James Monroe, our 5th President, was proclaiming the Monroe Doctrine, the United States was still a young nation, the State of Ohio was only twenty years old, much of Ohio’s Western Reserve was yet a rugged wilderness and the invention of modern conveniences, like the telephone, television, automobile and Internet, were decades away.
Yet, in Geauga County in February 1823, a hardy group of pioneers, some of whom were among the first settlers to Ohio’s Western Reserve region at the turn of the century, had the vision to band together to form one of the state’s earliest agricultural societies— The Geauga County Agricultural and Manufacturing Society. The Society, one of the nation’s oldest such organizations still in existence, was designed to “promote Agriculture & Domestic Manufactures.
Members of the Society then set out to formally organize the annual county-wide fair that would showcase the development of agricultural products, plus the newest farm labor-saving devices, and also would celebrate and preserve the nation’s economic independence, bountiful harvests, common New England heritage and ideals. In the spirit of hard work, perseverance, fellowship, American Yankee ingenuity and good old- fashioned fun they prevailed and thereby began a tradition that endures to the present.
Thus, The Great Geauga County Fair was
officially born in 1823, with the first “Fair & Cattle Show,” held Oct. 23 in Chardon, lasting just one day. Rail pens were built on the square for livestock and agricultural and domestic products were exhibited in the old log courthouse.
Early Geauga Fairs and The Fair Today
The early Fairs were alternately held between Burton and Chardon, with at least one Fair held in Painesville, prior to the formation of Lake County, which separated from Geauga County in 1840. After that time, and since the mid-1800s, the Great Geauga County Fair has been held continuously in Burton once the County Fairgrounds was permanently established there.
The Fairgrounds today still houses several buildings that date back to the nineteenth century, including the Domestic Arts Hall (built 1856, rebuilt 1889) and Flower Hall (built 1890), both of which are listed (since 1979) in the National Register of Historic Places, plus a replica of the original Small Grandstand (circa 1892, rebuilt in 1997) and a section of the old C & E Interurban railway station which now serves as the Fair’s Administration building.
Since its inception in that late autumn of 1823, The Great Geauga County Fair has been held continuously each year (a somewhat remarkable feat in itself) despite multiple national conflicts, including the Civil War, Spanish American War, two World Wars, the Great Depression, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and various droughts and hardships other
See History • Page B15
History from page B14
significant periods and events in America’s history – and it flourishes to this day.
Each year some quarter million people of all ages from throughout the Northeastern Ohio region and beyond flock to the Burton Fairgrounds, in the heart of Geauga County’s scenic Amish and maple syrup country to enjoy the more than 12,000 exhibits, animals, rides, food, music, entertainment and special attractions which are featured, as billed in the Fair’s motto “Something for Everyone Since 1823”.
While many of the early Ohio agricultural societies in the 1800s started up several times or later disbanded, The Fair’s sponsor, The Geauga County Agricultural Society, (Manufacturing was dropped from the title when it was reorganized during the 1800s), a non-profit group, still endures uninterrupted as the oldest existing organization in the county.
The governing Board of Fair Directors represents each of Geauga’s sixteen townships with five directors elected at-large. Membership is open to any county resident 21 years of age or older. A Junior Fair, initiated in 1938, also is held during the Fair for area youth.
‘Jollifications’ & Eastern Influences Pre-date Fair
The origins and spirit of the Great Geauga County Fair actually date back another twenty-five years to 1798 when the families of the earliest settlers in Burton, the Umberfields, first held a gathering that June. The annual “jollification”, or fair, as it became known, based on the early Fairs of Europe
and the East, continued in Geauga County for the next two and a half decades.
This “jollification,” drew widespread public interest and participation from area residents, until finally becoming formally organized under the auspices of the county’s newly created agricultural society in 1823, at the urging of prominent farmers and landowners, notably Lewis Hunt who lived in what is now known as Huntsburg Township.
Mr. Hunt, a knowledgeable horticulturist with an interest in raising fruit trees, had been associated with the State Horticultural Society in Massachusetts when he lived there and was therefore familiar with the benefits of such institutions when he came to Huntsburg in 1817. His home state of Massachusetts was also the home of Elkanah Watson, generally credited as the “Father of Modern Agricultural Societies and Fairs in America”, who helped to establish the Berkshire Agricultural Society in Pittsfield in 1810. That Society, no longer in existence, held a county fair in 1811 and is considered to be the model after which subsequent American agricultural organizations and county fairs were patterned.
Changes Since 1823
During the 1800s and 1900s, the dates for the Geauga County Fair were expanded and moved up to be held earlier in the season in an effort to showcase the year’s harvest, yet avoid Ohio’s sometimes unpredictable late fall weather. Today, The Great Geauga County Fair is now held annually each Labor Day weekend, Thursday through Monday, and is the “grand finale” highlight to Geauga County’s summer fun events. The “Great” in the Fair’s name and seal was officially added in this century to signify the Fair’s seniority standing as the “Great Granddaddy” of Ohio’s county fairs!
Geauga Fair Band Marches On
This article is a reprint from the Maple Leaf archives. It originally appeared March 20, 2020.
Since 1937, the Geauga Fair Band has thrilled families and friends with the sounds of marches, polkas and good old-fashioned fun.
“The love of music is part of your DNA as a musician, regardless of how you make a living,” said Jack Blazey, band director, of his volunteer band-mates.
For generations, this lively group of dedicated musicians has come together to perform all over the county. Performances run from Memorial Day through the Great Geauga County Fair over Labor Day weekend.
The original band was created to perform at the fair and to help kids stay sharp by prac-
2025 Schedule
The Great Geauga County Fair Band, will be performing two to three concerts daily in the Vernon Howard Pavilion during the Great Geauga County Fair, Aug. 28 – Sept. 1.
Aug. 28 – Concerts at 3, 7 & 8 p.m.
Aug. 29 – Concerts at 3 & 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 – Concerts at 3 & 7 p.m.
Aug. 31 – Concerts at 3 & 7 p.m.
Sept. 1 – Concerts at 1:30 & 4:30 p.m.
ticing their instruments during the summer. As a result, parents and their children often played together in the band. That remains true to this day.
“My daughter, Jennifer Huss, still comes back from Las Vegas every year specifi cally to play with the band at the fair,” Blazey said. “It has become part of our family’s tradition. We are motivated by our love of playing and bringing joy to the people of the county.”
Charter member Vern Howard started with the band at age 15 and played well into his 80s. The Howard Pavilion on the Geauga County Fairgrounds is named in his honor. His inspiration provided a venue for traveling musicians to join in. Blazey said his experience showed it is not unusual for visiting musicians to attend local concerts and playalong, including from all over Ohio, Georgia, Connecticut and beyond.
When asked how the band is supported and why, Blazey said the 40-member band is supported by the Geauga County Fair Board. They make sure the band has updated music, instruments and uniforms. Donations are also accepted. The fair board sees the band as a much-needed and appreciated part of a successful fair and of their long tradition.
Several smaller bands have been borne out of the fair band, including a winter band that plays at local hospitals, retirement centers and the Geauga County senior centers.
The Maple Festival Rube Band has many members common to both bands. Members include doctors, nurses, teachers, high school and college students, and office personnel. Members are as young as 16 and as seasoned as 80, said Blazey.
Blazey said he keeps his art fresh by working with students at area high schools.
His past years of directing students is as much of a learning experience as teaching, he said.
“The kids have taught me about social media, electronics, music technology and Instagram,” Blazey said. “So much has changed since I was young.”
Blazey learned about composing electronically instead of composing in longhand. He said he discovered electronic transcription devices that help him with band arrangements, which was helpful when introducing a special instrumental part for the band.
The band also plays various concerts throughout the county, such as the Troy Community Days, Hambden Memorial Day Parade, Highbrook Lodge for the Cleveland Sight Center and on Chardon Square in Thompson Township for their “Entertainment on the Square” event.
The fair program is their grand season finale. Their full list of concerts can be found on their websitegeaugafairband.com.
Former Thompson Native Named Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year
Staff rEport
Kris (Robison) Huebsch, formerly of Thompson Township, and daughter of Mary Jane and Tom Robison, has been named the 2025 Farmfest Woman Farmer of the Year.
The award honors women who have made significant contributions to agricul ture, their communities and the state of Minnesota.
The award was presented Aug. 7 during the final day of Farmfest, an annual agricul tural showcase near Redwood Falls, Minn., often called the “state fair for farmers.”
Huebsch was nominated by the Otter Tail County Extension Committee and county commissioners and selected from five final ists across Minnesota.
“I’m still in shock,” Huebsch said. “So many women in agriculture are doing incred ible work every day, often behind the scenes. To be recognized among them is truly hum bling.”
Huebsch grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Thompson and graduated from No tre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School. She earned her agriculture degree at Montana State University, where she met her husband, Cordell. The couple now operates Otter Berry Farm in central Minnesota—a business they started in 2017 as a u-pick strawberry patch and have since grown into a popular agritourism destination with a corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals and seasonal events like a Microbrew Tasting in the Corn Maze.
numerous agricultural and community organizations, serves as a 4-H leader and mentors youth. She also shares farm life with thousands of followers on Facebook and Instagram (@kris.huebsch).
Beyond the farm, Huebsch is active in
For more information about Farmfest and the Woman Farmer of the Year award, visit Farmfest.com
Kris Huebsch is pictured during strawberry season at Otter Berry Farm in Minnesota.
Amelia Durr
Amelia Durr is excited to show her pygmy goats, exhibition ducks and market ducks at this year’s fair! Good luck to Amelia and her crew!
Evelyn Williford, Geauga Prime Time
Evelyn Williford, age 9, of Newbury township, is taking fancy chickens and market chickens to the fair this year. This is her first year in 4-H and is a member of Geauga Prime Time. She will be a 4th grade student at St. Helen School, where she is involved in dance ministry, chess and cheer.
Andrew Johnson, Geauga Prime Time
Andrew Johnson, age 16, of Geauga Prime Time 4-H Club, is raising turkeys this year for the Geauga County fair. This is his third year raising turkeys. In his free time, he enjoys flying gliders.
Allie Johnson, Prime Time
Allie Johnson, age 11, of Middlefield is taking a turkey to fair this year. This is her second year of raising turkeys. She is a member of Geauga Prime Time. She enjoys singing and doing ballet
Boyd,
Grace Boyd, age 8, of Burton, is taking her dairy goat, Suzie, to fair this year. This is her first year showing her goat and she is very excited.
Grace
Buckeye Showmen
Carmen Rose
Carmen Rose, age 9, is taking a market hog to Geauga County Fair. She is going into 4th grade at St. Helen’s. Carmen is actively involved in soccer and OH Pigs Jackpot Circuit.
Khol Grigus-Buss, Feathers and Fleece
Khol Grigus-Buss, age 14, attends Chardon High School. I have been a Cloverbud since the age of 5. This year I am taking chickens, turkeys, ducks and lambs as Market Projects. Lambs are a new project for me this year.
I’ve worked very hard and learned a lot about them.
I am also taking my pyg my goats to state fair and our county fair this year All of my profits go towards my college education.
is also a member of the St. Helens unicycle team for 8 years.
Bradley Sheets is 13 years old. I have been doing Swine, Poultry and Fishing Projects since 2022. I love playing sports of all kinds, like archery, hunting, fishing, baseball, wrestling, and football. My favorite project taken so far in 4-H is the fishing project. I have a lot of new lures and like to try different kinds of bait.
Ryder Sheets
Ryder Sheets is 10 years old. I have been doing poultry and fishing projects for two years now. I love to draw things and build Lego sets. My favorite project taken so far is the chicken project, they were really cute.
Roylynn Karl, Breeders and Feeders
Roylynn Karl, age 12, of Montville, is taking a turkey to the Great Geauga Fair. This is her first year as a member of Breeders and Feeders. She attends Berkshire Middle School.
Lily Oliver, Granny’s
Kids
Lily, age 12, of Auburn Township, is taking a pen of three market chickens to fair this year. She has been a member of Granny’s Kids for 4 years. She is a student at Kenston Middle School.
Marija Davis, Auburn Swine Club
Marija Davis, age 10, of Thompson, is a second year member of Auburn Swine Club. She is currently raising market ducks and fancy breeds. She is pictured with Elphaba, a Cayuga duck.
Bentley Schultz, Breeders and Feeders
Bentley Schultz, age 9, of Burton, is taking his feeder steer, Oreo, to the fair this year. This is his first year as a member of Breeders and Feeders. Bentley attends Berkshire Elementary, and is in fourth grade. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, hunting with his Dad, mowing, wrestling and playing football with his friends.
in 4-H for 10 years. He is a senior at Berkshire High School and the 2024-2025 Geauga County Junior Fair King. He would like to thank the Chardon Rotary for buying his 4-H project the last 3 years.
Allie Wiseman, Geauga Livestock/ Feathers and
Fleece
My name is Allie Wiseman and I have been showing in 4-H for 8 years now. I am currently the president of Geauga Livestock, vice-president of Feathers and Fleece, and vice-president of Junior Fair Board. My projects include chickens, turkeys, lambs, and goats. I have been blessed to achieve 2024 Grand Champion Goat ,as well as 2024 Reserve Champion Lamb. Please feel free to visit me and all my projects during the fair to learn more. We can’t wait to see you there!
Jaiden Freeman, Auburn Swine
Jaiden, age 11, is taking his ducks to the Geauga County Fair. This is his first year raising ducks and he has enjoyed watching them grow. He loves seeing them play in their water. This is his third year in Auburn Swine. We would like to invite you out to support the 4-H kids at the auctions beginning Friday and running through Saturday.
Meredith Canfield, Granny’s Kids
Meredith Canfield, 14, of Middlefield, has been a member of Granny’s Kids for four years and is the club’s vice president. She is raising turkeys and will be bringing a high-quality hen to fair this year. Meredith is a ninth grader at Cardinal High School, where she participates in soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and theater. She is also the reigning Huntsburg Pumpkin Festival Jr. Queen.
Leah
Somrack, Feathers and Fleece
Leah Somrack is 10 years old and is in fifth grade at St. Helen School. This is her second year taking market chickens and ducks to fair. She’s a member of Feathers and Fleece 4-H Club.
Reagan Fekete
Reagan Fekete, a rising 9th grader at Cardinal High School, is proudly entering her 5th year in 4-H! This year, Reagan is bringing her passion and dedication to the fair with her market chickens and a market turkey! Be sure to visit the poultry barn and cheer her on at the fair!
rising 6th grader at Cardinal Elementary, is excited to head to the fair this year with her market turkey and market chickens! She’s looking forward to showcasing her projects at the fair. Don’t forget to stop by the poultry barn, meet her Turkey Rexy and support Andi at this year’s fair!
Bryce Hornak, Flockmasters
Bryce Hornak, age 12, of Burton. is taking his market turkey and market pen of three chickens. He has been in 4-H for three years. He will be in 7th grade in Berkshire this year and will be participating in soccer and basketball.
Neilo is in his second year of 4-H with the Breeders And Feeders Club. He is taking a pen of ducks, chickens and a pig. Neilo’s favorite fair food is steak on a stick and love playing games at the fair. He wants to be the President when he grows up!
Coralyn Sayre-Luoma, Breeders And Feeders
Coralyn is in her first year of 4-H with the Breeders And Feeders club. Her favorite fair food is bourbon chicken and loves hanging with her friends at the fair. She is taking a pen of ducks, chickens, and a pig. She wants to be a professional softball player when she grows up!
getting up before everybody else to let all the animals out in the mornings and making sure they have clean water and feed. His favorite fair food is corn dogs and loves riding rides. Shayne wants to be a police officer when he grows up!
Elin Hissa, Flockmasters
Elin Hissa, age 14, of Burton, will be showing her market chickens this year. It’s her sixth year in 4-H with Flockmasters. She enjoys playing volleyball and running track. She will be a freshman at Berkshire High School. She loves the relationships made in 4-H with the community and all the buyers who support her hard work. Can’t wait to see you at the fair!
Jack Hissa, Flockmasters
Jack Hissa, age 10, of Burton, will be showing his market chickens and lambs this year, it’s his first year in 4-H with Flockmasters. He also enjoys playing football, basketball and lacrosse. He will be in fourth grade at Berkshire Elementary School. Jack is grateful for the friendships he has made and he invites you to come and support his hard work at the livestock auction. Looking forward to seeing you at the fair!
Lillian Hissa, Flockmasters
Lillian Hissa, age 13, of Burton, will be showing her market lambs and chickens this year. It’s her third year in 4-H with Flock masters. In her free time, she enjoys riding her horse, Amigo, playing soccer and basketball, and running track. Lilly LOVES all animals and really enjoys raising market animals. She will be in seventh grade at Berkshire Middle School. She loves the friendships made in 4-H and with the community. Thank you to all the buyers who have supported her hard work. See you at the fair!
Hannah McIlroy, Feathers and Fleece
old. I have 8 brothers and one sister. I am in the eighth grade at St. Helen’s. This is my fourth market chickens at the Great the Feathers and Fleece Club. I enjoy playing piano, dancing for Saint Helen’s dance ministry, and playing sports especially
ketball team last year and I am looking forward to playing bas year for their eighth-grade team.
Christina McIlroy, Feathers and Fleece
and I am 12 years
Hello, my name is Christina McIlroy. I am 18 years old, and I have 8 brothers and one sister. I graduated from the Lyceum and plan on going to Lakeland Community College for nursing. I also plan on attending the Phlebotomy Training Specialists in Beachwood to get my Phlebotomy certificate. This is my ninth year showing market chickens at the Great Geauga County Fair. I am in the Feathers and Fleece 4-H Club, where I am the treasurer. I babysit, tutor, and help take care of an elderly lady with dementia. I enjoy playing sports, dancing for Saint Helen’s dance ministry, and participating in Saint Helen’s Life Teen where I served on the retreat team. I also enjoy drawing and painting.
Hello, my name is David McIlroy, and I am 15 years old. I have 7 brothers and 2 sisters. I am a sophomore at NDCL High School. This is my fifth year showing market chickens at the Great Geauga County Fair. I am in the Feathers and Fleece Club. I enjoy participating in Saint Helen’s Life Teen, playing piano, and playing sports. This past spring I played football and basketball for Chardon’s freshman teams. This year, I am hopefully playing for NDCL’s basketball team.
Football Varsity team.
David McIlroy,
McIlroy,
basketball for Saint Helens
Lola Bonner
I am Lola Bonner of Burton. I am 13 years old and attend Notre Dame Middle School. This is my 3rd year in 4-H raising animals. I am raising a turkey and a pen of chickens. Other than animals my passions are
Belle Bonner
Hello, I am Belle Bonner of Burton. I am 12 years old and attend Notre Dame Middle School. This is my 3rd year raising animals in 4-H. I am raising a turkey and a pen of chickens. I also enjoy horse back riding and various sports.
Seth
Ripley,
Breeders and Feeders
Seth Ripley, age 11, of Middlefield, is taking his market steers to the fair. This is Seth’s 3rd year in 4-H. In his spare time he likes to hang out with his friends, is on the football, wrestling, and baseball teams, and attends Cardinal Elementary.
Mila, 7 of Burton, is a cloverbud this year! She has been enjoying everything 4-H has to offer and made a cinch sack for her sewing project this year!
Fiona Deliere
Fiona, age 10 of Burton, is excited to bring her market chickens to fair this year! This is her 4th year in 4-H doing both market chickens and sewing. She got to go to the Ohio State Fair for her sundress she sewed this year. Fiona thanks you for supporting the 4-H programs and hopes to see you at the Great Geauga County Fair!
Mila Deliere
Meadow Luoma, Geauga Prime Time
Meadow Luoma, age 15, of Burton, is taking her fancy chickens to fair this year. She has been a member of Geauga Prime Time 4-H Club for one year. She is pictured with Jean!
Charlotte Tiber, 11, of Bur ton, is a 3rd year member of 4-H. She is taking a pen and also qualified for State Fair Alternate in her sewing club, Sew Sew Sweet. Out side of 4-H she loves volley ball, art and reading. She
the fair comes to town for her birthday! Charlotte is a student at Agape Christian Academy and is honored to be involved with her club and the 4-H organization.
Trent Holland
Trent Holland, 15, is a six-year 4-H member showing swine and turkeys. A well-rounded and hard-working student, Trent plays varsity football, wrestles, and is involved in theater and Berkappella. He enjoys the challenges and rewards that come with raising livestock.
Law Holland
Law Holland, 16, of Burton, is in his sixth year of 4-H and is showing turkeys, chickens, and horses. A dedicated and active member of the community, Law participates in varsity soccer, marching band, theater, and Berkappella. He also competes with YEDA and enjoys the friendships and responsibility 4-H brings
Emberlee Holland
Emberlee Holland, 10, is in her second year of 4-H. She is proudly showing turkeys and chickens. She loves cooking, playing soccer, and doing crafts. Her favorite part of raising turkeys? Eating them!
Stella Anderson,
Stella Anderson, age 11, of Huntsburg, is taking chickens to the fair this year. This is her third year as a member of the Flock masters 4-H Club. She is going in to sixth grade at Agape Christian Academy.
This is Nina’s first official year in 4-H and she is raising a pig and market chickens. Her barrow, Freddy, is a Hampshire cross and he is fed locally-milled non-GMO feed. Nina is 9 years old and enjoys playing the piano. She also has earned her advanced green belt in karate.
This is Anna’s fourth year in 4-H and her second time raising pigs and market chickens. Her gilt, Petunia, is a Hampshire cross and she is fed locally-milled non-GMO feed. Anna is 14 years old and entering 9th grade. Her hobbies include reading livestock books and designing logos for her farm. She also plays the clarinet and has earned her advanced green belt in karate.
This is Luke’s fourth year in 4-H and his second time raising pigs and market chickens. His barrow, Bob II, is a Hampshire cross and he is fed locally milled non-GMO feed. Luke is 12 years old and entering 7th grade. Some of his hobbies include reading books about WWII and making LEGO films. He also plays the drums and has earned his advanced green belt in karate.
Luke Chongris
Anna Chongris
Nina Chongris
Caden Sestak, Flockmasters
Caden Sestak, 12, is a member of Flockmasters 4-H club. He is taking swine and lamb projects this year to fair.
Hayden Tomsic, Auburn Swine
Hayden Tomsic is a first year member of the Auburn Swine 4-H club, and will be taking both market ducks and market chickens to the Great Geauga County Fair this year. She is a junior at Berkshire High School, where she plays golf and basketball.
Marissa Karl, Geauga Caprine Kids
Marissa Karl of Montville, is raising ducks and turkeys for auction.
She attends Berkshire High School and plays soccer and flag football. This is her fourth year in 4-H in Geauga Caprine Kids, first year raising ducks and second year with turkeys. She is also showing a fancy chicken. She is excited for the fair and looks forward to showing her animals.
Lauren Page
Hi, my name is Lauren, age 12. I play volleyball and just recently started crocheting, which has been a lot of fun. This is my second year in 4-H, and I’m absolutely loving it! I also got to attend 4-H Camp Whitewood this summer, which was awesome. I’m raising market chickens again this year and would love for you to come to the fair to check them out. If you’re able, I’d be so grateful if you’d consider bidding on them. Thanks so much — I hope to see you at the fair! My chicken’s tag # is 464.
Brayden Page
Brayden, age 14, is in his second year of 4-H and enjoys water sports, fishing, boating, and hunting. This summer, he had a blast at 4-H camp on Kelley’s Island, spent a weekend in Myrtle Beach, and attended Mount Union Football Camp. As a second-year 4-H member, Brayden is raising market chickens and works hard to keep his pen happy and healthy. A proud 9th grader, he enjoys lifting weights and participating in football conditioning. This winter, he plans to play basketball, and in the spring, he may run track. Proceeds from the auction will go toward his future education in engineering and building. Thank you for supporting 4-H! Market Tag #463.
Kylie Addair, Caprine Kids
Kylie Addair of Thompson, is raising ducks for auction. This will be her first year attending A-Tech. She enjoys playing volley ball, softball and flag football. This is her first year in Geauga Caprine Kids. She looks forward to her first fair experience.
Hudson
Hess,
Flockmasters
Hudson Hess, age 14, of Claridon, is in his sixth year of 4-H with Flockmasters. This year he is sell
barn on Friday, Aug. 29, starting at
ing his dirt bike, playing sports like
Whitten
Hess,
Flockmasters
Gwenyth Hess, Flockmasters
Gwenyth Hess, age 12, of Claridon is in her 4th year of 4-H with Flockmasters. This year she is selling 2 lambs, Benjamin & Beatrix and a pen of 3 (fat) chickens. Come bid Friday, August 29th starting at 2:30pm on her chickens and on Saturday, August 30th starting at 4pm on her lambs. When Gwen is not in the barn with her animals, you will find her reading on the hammock, riding a horse, working at a local flower farm, riding the four wheeler, helping with her 7 siblings or playing volleyball, basketball or running track for her school. You can also find Gwen at the small grandstand Sunday and Monday driving her families Haflingers! See you at the fair!
Whitten Hess, age 10, of Claridon, is in his first year of 4-H with Flockmasters. He decided to try something his siblings haven’t yet and is raising ducks! Come bid Friday, Aug. 29, starting at 2:30 p.m. in the new auction barn! Whitten enjoys all sorts of sports including, soccer, baseball, football, basketball and is really fast! He spends a lot of time outside, playing, riding his bike, climbing trees and trying to keep up with his older brothers. Please come say hi to Whitten and his ducks, Elsa and Olaf, during your time at the fair!
Jessa
Cyhan,
baseball, football or basketball
Geauga Prime Time
Jessa Cyhan, age 10, of Middlefield Township and is a part of Geauga Prime Time 4-H club. This is her first year showing a Market Steer. Her steer’s name is Dozer. Additionaly, this is her second year showing Market Chickens and has been helping raise chickens with her family for 4 years. Her favorite part is when they’re baby chicks and they’re able to sit on her shoulders!
This is Ava Huffman’s Geauga County 4-H photo. She is doing Market Ducks and Turkey. She is currently in Auburn Swine 4-H group and is 12 years old.
