SIDNEY — The Shelby County Agricultural Society (fair board) needs the help of several strong men to erect tents for the Shelby County Fair in July.
During the fair board’s May 16 meeting, it was noted that Wolf Tent and Awning, the company that has supplied tents for many years, might not be able to do so this year. Following the meeting, board Secretary Jerry Schaffner said that in order to fit into the schedule of the tent company, the fair board would have to receive the tents two weeks, instead of the usual one week, in advance of the fair. There will be no additional charge for the rentals.
However, the fair board has to supply labor to erect the tents.
“We need five, strong guys for three or four days,” Schaffner said. Wolf Tent and Awning will pay the workers. Schaffner did not know what the pay rate would be.
“It could be individuals or it could be an organization. It’s hard work,” Schaffner said. The work would start on July 9 and continue until all the tents are up. Anyone interested in applying should call Schaffner at 937-726-4070.
At the same meeting, the fair board learned that owners of horses who race during the fair will benefit from larger prize purses.
That’s because the monies, a percentage of profits from video lottery terminals at Ohio casinos, that fund the race prizes have increased by almost $2,000 over last year.
The information was provided to the Shelby County Agricultural Society (fair board) during its May 16 meeting.
At the same meeting, the board voted to spend an estimated $3,825 to install a new electrical panel for campers.
In other business, the board:
• Approved contracting with Jason Levering to provide beer and personnel to serve it during the fair. Once all expenses are paid, the beer sales profit will be split, with the fair board’s receiving 60 percent and Levering, 40 percent.
• Discussed the possible demolition of the former stud barn and moving a fence behind the extension office. The board will get input from the county commissioners on both issues before moving forward with either.
• Decided to move a yellow building that has been on the horseshoe courts to the infield of the stadium, but following the meeting, according to board Secretary Jerry Schaffner, decided instead to demolish it.
• Met with Grace Homan, of the Junior Fair Board, concerning how to handle a Junior Fair exhibitor who arrived for the goat and lamb weigh-in half an hour after the scales had closed. Homan reported that the Junior Fair Board recommended allowing the exhibitor to show in the lightweight or heavyweight class but prohibiting the exhibitor from selling in the auction or receiving premiums. The fair board agreed.
• Learned that a roof vent that was purchased to replace one in the livestock complex was the same as the existing one, so the new one was returned.
• Decided to postpone electrical upgrades until after the fair.
• Reported that the meeting was the last opportunity to make changes to this year’s fair book.
• Heard a report that there are 936 youths in Shelby County 4-H clubs, that June 18-22 is National 4-H Week and that the Junior Fair Board will receive a percentage of sales at Firehouse Subs and Hot Head Burritos on individual days during that week, and that a family game and movie night will be June 22 in the Beige Building on the fairgrounds, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
• Authorized payment of May bills totalling$9,398.61.
Treasurer Eugene Schulze reported that at the end of April, the society had $3,200 in grant funds, $46,139.43 in general operating funds and $700 in memorial funds in the checking account and $55,423.70 in certificates of deposit.
He further reported that the balance owed on the grandstand was about $43,000.
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