2 A publication of the Piqua Daily Call • Troy Daily News • August 2012
Good weather, crowds hopes for 2012 event BY MELODY VALLIEU Staff Writer vallieu@tdnpublishing.com
Good weather and record crowds are high on the list of hopes for the 2012 Miami County Fair, according to firstyear Miami County Agricultural Society President Mike Jess. Jess said lower temperatures than the area has been experiencing this summer would be good for the fair, as extreme temperatures draw people away from outdoor events. Some
rain prior to the Aug. 10 start would be great, too, he said. Jess, who began attending the fair with his parents when he was an infant, said if the rain doesn’t come, he asks that fair-goers use common sense when smoking. “If we don’t get any rain to green the grass up, we’ve got to worry about potential fire issues on the grounds,” said Jess, who said farming reaches back 50-60 years in his family. If the mercury is still up, he also cautions at-
t e n d e e s a n d junior f a i r b o a r d JESS members to stay hydrated, and said extra care is given to the animals to keep them healthy. He said animal owners keep the animals hydrated, hose them down when able and put fans on them to keep them cool. “We watch out and make sure they’re being cared for,” Jess said. Fair staff and volunteers have brought 33
new vendors and six concessionaires on board of the 2012 event, and ticket sales are going well for the Hunter Hayes concert, which has been moved from Sunday to Saturday. The release of his new CD — Wanted — and a recent performance at Country Concert in Fort Loramie, is believed to have helped boost ticket sales for the up-and-coming artist’s concert. Social media, according to Jess, also has been useful in spreading the news about the Saturday night event. “We’re just doing really well on sales (of tickets),” said Jess, who is in his sixth year of being a member of the MCAS.
PDC/TDN offering vase as fair premium Special fair rates also established The Piqua Daily Call and Troy Daily News will again be offering special fair subscription rates and a one-time-only keepsake premium during the 2012 Miami County Fair. Full-year new or renewal subscriptions will be offered along with the fifth in a series of Ohio pottery collectible pieces. Four years ago the one-of-a-kind pottery piece was a wine crock; three years ago it was a ceramic teapot with lid; two years ago it was an oval platter with gold-finished wire display stand; and last year it was a buckeye jug. This year’s piece is a handsome 11-inch vase. The vase, in keeping with the collectible series, features a handpainted state of Ohio buckeye fiveleaf cluster surrounding a buckeye
nut in the center. The piece is also decorated with scarlet and gray accents in keeping the Ohio motif. The I-75 Daily Newspaper Group has again commissioned Heritage Stoneware of Crooksville in southeast Ohio to design, mold and fire the pieces. Each handpainted vase will be individually numbered and signed by the artist. This year the piece carries a value of more than $50, but subscribers will receive one free with each new or renewal full-year subscription while supplies last. They will only be available at the newspaper’s booth in the merchants building at the fair. “We look forward to seeing old and new acquaintance’s at the booth again this year with their hopes of receiving their individual See Vase/Page 3
And, for the food — it kind of speaks for itself, Jess said, with all the midway fare such as fries, tenderloins, elephant ears and deep fried pickles returning. New vendors will include a fish and chips booth, Bahama mamas and creme puffs, breakfast sandwiches and shakes, sliders made from wild game, cajun, and fruit bowls and smoothies. Jess said he accepted the nomination for president because the fair has been a great part of his life and he believed he would be good at the job. And, according to several fair board members and
employees, he’s doing a great job. “So far, so good this year,” said Jess. “We have a really good board this year. They’re really strong and a lot of help.” Jess said he invites the community out to experience some of the many events planned, to support the junior fair board and their projects and believes it is just money well spent. “For the price — $5 — it’s the cheapest entertainment around,” he said. “It’s the greatest family experience of the summer here in Miami County.”
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