TODAY’S FARM

Fun for all and all for fun

FAIRS cont’d from page 14

“I think concerts are going to be a big thing this year. Motorsports continue to be a big draw at fairs. Tractor pulls, demolition derbies, events like that.”

Another challenge for fair boards is to attract and keep young people involved, not only in the fairs themselves, but in membership on fair boards and as volunteers.

Hardesty said one way that the Fisher Community Fair has addressed the issue is to create a junior fair board, made up of FFA members and ag students from the local high school.

“They are an integral part of our fair. They are our legs, for the older members of the fair board. They do anything we want them to do. If we ask them to go clean stalls, they grab their pitchforks. If we want them to help take down a stage, they are right there working on it,” she said.

The junior fair board members also are consulted when it comes to fair attractions designed for young people.

“We’ll say, hey, you youngsters, what do you think? Will a DJ in a building work? Will the kids, the teenagers, come to that? And sometimes they say yes and sometimes they say no, which is OK,” Hardesty said. “Why should we spend money on something like that when they don’t think it will work?”

Hardesty urged people to get out and not only attend their local and community fairs, but volunteer, too.

“Please go attend your local county fairs. And just ask them and go help out, too. You can help out one hour or you can help out for 10 hours. Any help is appreciated and you’ll be helping your community out, as well,” she said.