SIDNEY – The Shelby County Fair Board anticipates hosting a full fair this summer and moved forward with plans for the 2021 fair during its monthly meeting Wednesday night.

The Ohio Fair Managers Association is very optimistic that all events after June, which includes the Shelby County Fair on July 25-31, will be able to proceed without restrictions, Shelby County Fair Board President Eric Garber said. Last week Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said health orders could be removed if COVID-19 case numbers continue to decline in the state.

Jason Howell reported he’s working with Rocco Catanzarite from Murphy’s Craftbar + Kitchen to create a beer garden for the fair. Profits will be split evenly between the Fair Board and Murphy’s.

Catanzarite will supply beer, coolers and ice while the board will provide space for the beer garden, storage space and some bartenders.

Catanzarite has 26 suppliers he could get beer from so there are numerous options, and a Shelby County Fair beer brand also could be created.

The board voted to move forward with the partnership with Murphy’s Craftbar + Kitchen for a beer garden.

Michael’s Amusements won’t have its rides ready for the first day of the 2021 fair, which is scheduled for July 25.

Because rides won’t be ready, the board decided to host a Fair Preview Day on July 25, which is a Sunday, and charge $5 admission. The board will keep all the money from admission fees that day instead of splitting the profits with Michael’s Amusements as usual.

If Michael’s Amusements gets its rides running later in the day on July 25, riders would have to buy wristbands to ride directly from Michael’s.

With the establishment of the Fair Preview Day, the board decided to move Industrial Day from July 25 to July 26, a Monday. Carload night, which was scheduled for that Monday, was subsequently canceled.

The board makes more money from Industrial Day than carload night, which has declined in popularity in recent years.

Work on the Beige Building, which included renovations of restrooms, ceiling and kitchen floors, has been completed. The renovations were paid for with an Ohio Department of Agriculture grant.

A water heater in the Beige Building is leaking. Three quotes to replace it were received from A & E Home Services, Lochard Plumbing Heating and Cooling, and Slagle Mechanical Contractors with quotes of $1,369, $1,375 and $1,650. The board voted to accept the low bid, which was from Slagle.

The board received two quotes to install spouting on the Beige Building. Watertite Seamless Gutters quoted $1,461 for spouting on one side of the building while L&B Seamless Gutters quoted $1,548 for spouting on both sides of the building. The board accepted the bid from L&B Seamless Gutters.

A quote was received for custom kitchen cabinets in the Beige Building. After a discussion, the board voted to solicit more bids before proceeding.

Clopay Corp. will donate a door for the Beige Building and two for the Speed Barn. It also is seeking a roll-up door for the kitchen of the Beige Building to donate.

Shelby County Maintenance Supervisor Chris Roediger said the Shelby County Engineer’s Office is working on plans to widen a driveway through the fairgrounds. The Engineer’s Office will complete the work.

Garber asked board members for ideas on a policy for future memorial donations. The board has received several donations, which often don’t cover the complete cost of a project.

The board discussed creating a single fund for all memorial donations.

One idea was to create a patio with inscriptions on pavers recognizing donors. Garber said he’s open to other suggestions as well. The discussion was tabled until the next meeting.

Jessica Adams, the county’s 4-H youth development educator, said she’s working on contingency plans in case 4-H camp is canceled this summer. She asked if the fairgrounds would be available for a 4-H camp. The board said that would be OK if there are no conflicts with facility rentals during the selected week.

No eight-person golf carts will be available for this year’s fair. The board decided to rent an additional six-person golf cart for the fair week.

The board approved spending $120 for a yearlong membership to a graphics app used to create graphics for the fair’s Facebook page.

The board voted to opt out of Department of Agriculture rules on responsibilities of and assistance to junior fair exhibitors and outstanding market project competition. The board opts out of the rules each year.

The fair book is scheduled to print this month.

On March 27 board members will attend a district meeting in Bowling Green.

The board has a balance of $55,601.29 in its checking account. It had $7,615.16 in monthly bills.