THE EARLY BIRD NEWSPAPER S U N D A Y, A U G U S T 1 6 , 2 0 1 5
Great Darke County Fair Edition
Hayes headlines 2015 Darke County Fair concert GREENVILLE – Hunter Hayes will headline the annual concert at the Great Darke County Fair on Aug. 23 during the 159th Great Darke Fair. Four-time GRAMMY nominee Hunter Hayes is a Louisiana-born, Nashvillebased singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who roared onto the music scene in 2011 with his Platinum-selling, No. 1 self-titled debut album on Atlantic Records. With three No. 1 singles already under his belt (including the multiPlatinum smash “Wanted,” “Somebody’s Heartbreak,”
and “I Want Crazy”), Hayes delves into deeper material on his new album, Storyline. The emotional lead single “Invisible” resonates with fans across the globe and new single “Tattoo” is already Top 25 and climbing at Country radio. Hayes is currently headlining shows across the U.S. and Canada and will bring his headlining Tattoo Tour to Greenville on Aug. 23. For more information, visit www.hunterhayes.com. All seats are reserved. Track seats are $40 each and Grandstand seats are $37 each. Tickets are avail-
Campbell worked to make fair great GREENVILLE – The Darke County Fair Safety Committee wants to remind local citizens of the traffic pattern that will be in place during the Great Darke County Fair. As many may recall last year, a new traffic pattern was put into effect at Gate 1 of the Darke County Fairgrounds. Gate 1 is located at the intersection of Sweitzer Street and Birt Street. The purpose of the change is to improve the overall safety of pedestrian traffic that crosses at that intersection during the week of the fair. Lane restrictions were put into place and efforts were made to clearly mark the pedestrian crossing areas. At the conclusion of last year’s fair the safety committee along with the support of all agencies involved decided to keep this in place for future fairs. The traffic pattern received positive reviews from fair attendees. A clearly marked pedestrian crosswalk is in place that crosses Sweitzer Street and Birt Street. The crosswalk leads pedestrians to the walk-in entrance to the fair. The southbound traffic of Sweitzer Street shall remain in a single lane of traffic until passing the Gate 1 area. Any traffic exiting Gate 1 from the fair must turn right (south) on to Sweitzer Street. Northbound traffic on Sweitzer Street can continue north as normal. Any northbound traffic may also turn east on Birt Street as normal. Birt Street westbound will be closed at Central Ave to eliminate any traffic from entering onto Sweitzer Street from that direction. The lanes of travel in this
Velma Campbell
area will be clearly marked with cones and verticades to assist motorists in remaining in their appropriate lanes until clearing the Gate 1 area. Citizens can expect to see the signs and cones to be in place approximately Wednesday or Thursday prior to the fair. The traffic pattern will be in effect Friday morning of the fair. There will be a clearly marked off area for pedestrians to walk in the grass area on the west side of Sweitzer Street and south of the Gate 1 entrance. This is to assist pedestrians coming from parking areas or businesses on that side of the street and eliminate the need for them to walk on the street when approaching Gate 1. Arrangements have been made for businesses in the area to still be accessible; however, you must obey the appropriate traffic signals and signs. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office and Greenville Police Department will be patrolling these areas to assist and make sure vehicular and pedestrian traffic have a safe Darke County Fair.
No Parking areas created during fair GREENVILLE – The City of Greenville is announcing several No Parking areas during the 2015 Great Darke County Fair. The city’s street department will be installing temporary no parking on the following streets from Aug. 20-29. * Central Ave. from Sherman St. to Birt St. (Both sides of street) * Martz St. from Ft. Jefferson Ave. to Sweitzer St. (South side of street) * Martz St. from Central Ave. to Harrison Ave. (Both sides of street) * Martz St. from Harrison Ave to Washington Ave. (South side of street) * Fair St. from Central Ave. to Gray Ave. (Both sides of street) * Harrison Ave. from Birt St. to Sherman St. (East side of street)
* Wayne Ave. from Birt St. to Sherman St. (East side of street) * Birt St. from Sweitzer St. to Washington Ave. (South side of street) * Sherman St. from Ft. Jefferson Ave. to Central Ave. (South side of street) * Sherman St. from Central Ave. to Wayne Ave. (Both sides of street) This has been deemed necessary during the fair to increase public safety for pedestrians, motorist, and residence. It will also allow Emergency vehicles and equipment to safely and efficiently move in and around these areas. The city apologizes for any inconvenience this might cause. For more information, contact the Safety Service Director at 548-1819.
able online at www.darkecountyfair.com, and by phone at 548-5044 using a debit or credit card. Tickets may also be purchased
at the Fair Box Office, 800 Sweitzer St., Greenville. Persons 3 years of age and older are required to purchase a seat ticket. Persons
under 3 years of age are admitted free providing they sit on the lap of a paying seat ticket holder. Visit the Hunter
Hayes YouTube channel at https://www.youtube. com/user/hunterhayes to hear more from this talented artist.
Traffic pattern will change for fair GREENVILLE – The Darke County Fair Safety Committee wants to remind local citizens of the traffic pattern that will be in place during the Great Darke County Fair. As many may recall last year, a new traffic pattern was put into effect at Gate 1 of the Darke County Fairgrounds. Gate 1 is located at the intersection of Sweitzer Street and Birt Street. The purpose of the change is to improve the overall safety of pedestrian traffic that crosses at that intersection during the week of the fair. Lane restrictions were put into place and efforts were made to clearly mark the pedestrian crossing areas. At the conclusion of
last year’s fair the safety committee along with the support of all agencies involved decided to keep this in place for future fairs. The traffic pattern received positive reviews from fair attendees. A clearly marked pedestrian crosswalk is in place that crosses Sweitzer Street and Birt Street. The crosswalk leads pedestrians to the walk-in entrance to the fair. The southbound traffic of Sweitzer Street shall remain in a single lane of traffic until passing the Gate 1 area. Any traffic exiting Gate 1 from the fair must turn right (south) on to Sweitzer Street. Northbound traffic on Sweitzer Street can continue north as normal. Any north-
bound traffic may also turn east on Birt Street as normal. Birt Street westbound will be closed at Central Ave to eliminate any traffic from entering onto Sweitzer Street from that direction. The lanes of travel in this area will be clearly marked with cones and verticades to assist motorists in remaining in their appropriate lanes until clearing the Gate 1 area. Citizens can expect to see the signs and cones to be in place approximately Wednesday or Thursday prior to the fair. The traffic pattern will be in effect Friday morning of the fair. There will be a clearly marked off area for pedes-
trians to walk in the grass area on the west side of Sweitzer Street and south of the Gate 1 entrance. This is to assist pedestrians coming from parking areas or businesses on that side of the street and eliminate the need for them to walk on the street when approaching Gate 1. Arrangements have been made for businesses in the area to still be accessible; however, you must obey the appropriate traffic signals and signs. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office and Greenville Police Department will be patrolling these areas to assist and make sure vehicular and pedestrian traffic have a safe Darke County Fair.
Message to new court… enjoy every moment BY BOB ROBINSON ASSOC. EDITOR brobinson@earlybirdpaper.com GREENVILLE – “Dear Future Royalty: Live life, enjoying every moment you have. One day you’re going to look back and it will be gone. You can handle it… nothing is too much… the little worries don’t matter.” That was just one of the messages 2015 Darke County Fair Queen Jenna Cline had for the new royal couple, Danielle Hesson and AJ Warner. According to Jenna that message would stand the test of time. She was the bubbly half of the 2014 royal couple. Thomas (Tommy) Shaw was the organizer half. During the Early Bird interview prior to the start of the Annie Oakley parade, he was called a half dozen times about the Royal Court’s entries. During the past year? “We were like a family,” said Tommy. “We had our differences, but in public we did it right!” Jenna praised her court. “I loved how awesome our court was,” Jenna said. “They were perfect. Asked to do something? They did it.” Now that their year was over, both acknowledged some sadness. “It’s kind of bittersweet,” Jenna said. The royal couple had multiple experiences they will always remember, humorous and otherwise. One favorite part for Tommy was the Skylift at the Ohio State Fair. “Yeah,” Jenna said, laughing. She heard a scream and asked one of her friends if it was her. “No,” came the answer. “That was Tommy!” “I’m a people person,” Tommy said. “I enjoyed going to the county fairs, talking to the people. We got to experience the hidden secrets of the other fairs… the glamor and the hardship.” Jenna enjoyed the state fair, noting she’d
never been there before. “The queen’s contest was an experience in itself,” she said. Katherine, the 2015 Ohio Fair Queen was a freshman at Ohio State University. “We instantly clicked,” Jenna said. The phone rang again; Tommy backed off to answer it. “He’s very good at handling all that parade stuff,” Jenna said. The book. “I loved that book,” Jenna said. “At first I was kind of shocked, but all past queens gave their input to guide you during your term. I wrote 11 pages of do’s and don’ts… tips on the things we wanted to do but didn’t get done.” She added they were helping the court this year… giving them their baby steps. “It’s not scary,” she added. “It’s exciting!” Tommy talked about the
hard work and the reward. “What you put into it is what you get out of it,” he said. He also talked about his previous attempts to serve as Darke County Fair King. “It’s been my dream since my sister was Queen in 2004… if you have the goal and the dream, keep trying!” Finally he noted the importance of the job once the goal is reached… “What you do impacts the future,” he said. “Our proof is in that building (the Youth Building). All the legacies are there. The tradition.” Both were grateful to their families and court families, the junior and senior fairboards… all those who helped make their year a success. “They were fantastic,” Jenna said. “We thank them so much.”
2014 Darke County Fair Queen Jenna Cline and King Thomas Shaw. (Bob Robinson photo)
With spots in front of the Grandstand at a premium, the Gazebo, with shade during the day, has become the first choice of many for lawn chairs. (Keith Foutz photo)
Saving spots a month in advance GREENVILLE – Mixed in with the concerts, Jr. Fair exhibits and shows, thrilling midway rides and
plenty of food, it’s possible the real reason people go to the fair is to get reacquainted with old friends. Nearly
a month before the fair began chairs started popping up in front of the Grandstand and near the Gazebo.