By Kimberly Pistone
For the Sidney Daily News
SIDNEY – The Shelby County Fair Board discussed the upcoming solar eclipse and other topics at a meeting on Sept. 20.
Sam Reed from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) presented facts about the total solar eclipse on April 8. Since Sidney is in the path of totality, it is projected that there will be a large influx of people. The Fair Board discussed the possibility of opening the fairgrounds for camping. They passed a motion to apply for a camping permit and formed a committee to plan specific details, including if they will have food trucks or just provide sites for camping. All hotels in Sidney are already sold out for the eclipse and the surrounding counties are either sold out or at 80% capacity in preparation. The state has a website with more information and can be found at eclipse.ohio.gov.
It was voted to move the livestock complex wash station to the outside, on the east side of the building. Wells Brothers has agreed to donate their time to put in water and appropriate drainage. The fire department has given the Fair Board permission to block the fire lane for that week only in order to accommodate the wash station. This will free up 12 pens in the barn for livestock.
The reverse raffle on Sept. 9 went well and members received positive feedback. Total money from the raffle will be available at the next meeting. The Board wanted to thank the committee, people who were present at the auction, as well as people who made bids and purchases. They also wanted to specifically thank Michael Lawn & Ag Inc. for their donation of a zero-turn lawn mower for the auction.
The 2024 fair will be held on July 21-27. Katie Hughes, 4-H educator, was happy to announce the junior fair has a full board this year – last year they operated with a few open positions.
The board also approved a one-time $500 donation to the Henman Legacy Youth Archery Program Scholarship in honor of board member Don Henman to help establish the program and scholarship.
The next fair board meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. in the secretary’s office.
