EVEnTS - Galion Inquirer

159th Annual
2016 Crawford County Fair
Sunday, July 17 Through Saturday, July 23
2016 Crawford County Fair
The 159th Annual Fair “GoT Fun” Fair Schedule
4-7:00 pm
10:00 am
8-10 am
9 am - 4 pm
2-4 pm
4-6 pm
5-11 pm
6-8 pm
6-10 pm
1, 4, & 7 pm
2:00 pm
Thursday, July 14th
Entries brought in for Domestic Arts, Ceramics,
Paintings and Photography
2, 5, & 8 pm
3:30 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Friday, July 15th
5:30 pm
Judging begins for the entries brought in on Thursday. 6:00 pm
6:00 pm
Saturday, July 16th
7:00 pm
Entries brought in for Produce, Culinary, Baked Goods 7:30 pm
and Wine.
8:00 pm
Department 1 - 4-H Judging for Produce & Culinary times to be posted
Vo-Ag Project Judging.
Open Class Poultry Check-in.
JR. FAIR LIVESTOCK MUST BE IN PLACE WITH
EXCEPTION OF POULTRY AND RABBITS
8 am - 10 pm
(Hogs will weigh as they enter)
9:00 am
Jr. Fair Poultry weighed in and in place in barn.
Rabbits in place. Must be weighed prior to show.
RIDES WILL BE OPEN Monday @ NOON - SATURDAY @ CLOSE
MondAy, July 18, 2016 AT 7:30 pM
Fair Jam
7eventh Time down
& Among the Thirsty
Tickets $10 and $15
10:00 am
11:00 am
12 noon
1:00 pm
1, 4, & 7 pm
3:00 pm
5 & 8 pm
6:00 pm
Monday, July 18th
Rides open at NOON
* Craig Smith RV Center Day at the
Crawford County Fair YOUTH FUN DAY!
JuniorFairOfficeOpen.
Jr. Fair Poultry Show.
Open Poultry Show to follow Jr. Show.
Swine Showmanship.
Jackpot Show 1/2 hr. after Showmanship.
Carcass Show 1/2 hr. after Jackpot Show.
4-H Speech Contest - Youth Building.
4-H Horse Show - 4-H Horse Arena.
Demonstrations & Illustrated Talks - Youth Bldg.
Art for Kids - Clothes Pins: Bring in something made
from clothes pins - Fine Arts Bldg.
4-H Booth Judging.
Wood Carver in the Park
Paul Landis - Stage in the Park
Circus incredible
Breeding Sheep Show followed by Market Lamb.
Showmanship and Market Lamb Show.
Grandstand - Fair jam with 7eventh Time Down
& Among the Thirsty
1:00 pm
1, 4, & 7 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
5:00 pm
5 & 8 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
TBA
Art for Kids - Bring in something made of popsicle
sticks - Fine Arts Building.
Wood Carver in the Park
Cloverbud Sharing Time - Youth Bldg.
Beef Feeder Showmanship - Show to Follow
Junior Beef Showmanship
Circus incredible
Beef Breeding Show
Steer Show
KOI Drag Racing - Grandstand
4-H Ground Roping - Horse Arena
Wednesday, July 20th
North Central Electric Cooperative Day at the Crawford
County Fair.
8 am - 10 pm JuniorFairOfficeOpen
9:00 am
Jr. Fair Goat Show
Favorite Foods Contest - Youth Building
12 noon
2nd Flower Show Judging.
1:00 pm
Art for Kids - Marshmallow - Bring in something made
of Marshmallows in the Arts & Crafts Bldg.
The Red Show Review - starring Ronald McDonald in
the Park.
2:00 pm
Free Throw Contest
2, 5, & 8 pm Circus incredible
3-5:00 pm
Fine Arts Bldg. - Antique Appraiser: Ann Stratton
($1 per carry-in item)
4 & 7 pm
Wood Carver in the Park
4:30 pm
Dairy Feeder Showmanship, followed by Dairy Feeder
Show, followed by the Holstein Steers.
5:00 pm
Cooper’s Mill Judging - Fine Arts Bldg.
5:30 pm
Harness Racing - Pari-Mutuels
Thursday, July 21st
Shearer Equipment - John Deere Day the Crawford
County Fair. Veterans and Senior Citizens Day.
7:00 pm
All Vets and Seniors pay $2 at the gate & $1 rides day.
Every ride just $1.
8:00 am
Sheep Show Judging.
TuESdAy, July 19Th
* AG Credit & Company Mortgages Day at the Crawford 8 am - 10 pm JuniorFairOfficeOpen
9:00 am
4-H Gymkhana - Horse Arena
County Fair. FAMILY APPRECIATION DAY - ALL RIDES
10:00 am
Jr. Fair Dairy Show
WRIST BANDS ARE JUST $5 EACH SESSION - Noon to
Jr.FairEggToss-Infield.
5 pm & 6 pm to close.
10:30-1:30 pm Senior Citizen Event with lunch at noon - BY TICKET
8 am - 10 pm JuniorFairOfficeOpen
ONLY - Sponsored by Heartland on Bucyrus.
9:00 am
Jr. Fair Rabbit Show
12 noon
District 9 Holstein Show in Arena
10:00 am
Beef Cattle Judging - Show Arena
1:00 pm
Art for Kids - Recycling - Bring in something made of
4-H Horse Show - Horse Arena.
EVEnTS
FAIR STARTS: SundAy, July 17TH
RIdES opEn @ noon TodAy
* Knecht’s Auto Recycling Day at the Crawford County Fair
8:00 am
Gates begin charging. All 4-H Family &
Consumer Sciences Exhibits and
Dept. 1 Projects MUST be in place.
8 am - 10 pm Entries to be brought in for BAKED Goods
Dept. 1 Projects MUST be in place.
8 am - 3 pm Blood Drive - RV near Youth Building.
8 am - 10 pm JuniorFairOfficeOpen.
9:00 am
1st Show - Flower Show Judging.
Church Service - 4-H Horse Arena
Sheep Barn Meeting - Followed by weigh-in.
9:00 am
Crawford County Fair 5K Stampede/Walk.
9:30 am
Alpaca Barn Meeting
10:30 am
Dairy Feeders Barn Meeting
12:00 pm
Horse Skillathon followed by Crowning Horse
Royalty - 4-H Horse Arena
Alpaca Show - Arena
12:30 pm
Goat Barn Meeting followed by Weighing Goats
1:00 pm
Grange Booth Judging
Wine Judging in Fine Arts Bldg (TBA)
Wood Carver in the Park
Eliminators Car Club Classic Car Exhibition
Beef Barn Meeting/Pictures
Circus incredible
Hog Barn Meeting
North Central District Angus Show - Arena
4-H Style Revue - Youth Building
4-H Projects Awards Program - Youth Building
Demolition Derby - Grandstand
Baked Goods Auction in FINE ARTS BLDG
Sheep Shearing in the Show Arena
Junior Fair Royalty Contest - Youth Building.
Eric Sowers Band in the Park
5:00 pm
5:30 pm
5 - 7:00 pm
recycled goods - Arts & Crafts Bldg.
Wood Carver in Park
Circus Incredible
Barn Games
4-H Versatility - Horse Arena.
Jr. Market Hog Show.
Harness Racing - Pari-Mutuels
Ham & Bean Supper for Vets - Youth Bldg.
Friday, July 22nd
Burkhart Farm Center Day the the Crawford County Fair.
8 am - 10 pm JuniorFairOfficeOpen
10:00 am
“Back to the farm” Sale for Dairy * Beef Feeder Calves.
Horse Fun Show - Horse Arena
12 noon
Livestock Judging Contest - Arena
1:00 pm
Art for Kids - Bring in “real” mud pies & list of
ingredients - Fine Arts Building.
1,4, & 7 pm
Wood Carver in Park
2,5, & 8 pm Circus Incredible
5:00 pm
Antique Tractor Parade - Grandstand
5:00 pm
Showman of showman in Arena
7:00 pm
Junior Fair Nerf War - Youth Bldg.
7:00 pm
Tractor Pull
Saturday, July 23rd
Rus-Men Farms & Links Country Meats Day at the
Crawford County Fair.
8 am - 10 pm JuniorFairOfficeOpen
9:00 am
Jr. Fair Livestock Sale - Show Arena
9:00 am
Garden Tractor Pull
10:00 am
4-H Dog Show - Youth Bldg.
11:00 am
Men’s Cake Baking Contest - Fine Arts Building.
Pedal Tractor Pull - By the Stage in the Park
1,4, & 7 pm
Wood Carver in Park
2 - 6:00 pM ElectionofFairBoardDirectors-Secretary’sOffice.
4 - 6:00 pm Last pick up time for Jr. Fair Vouchers
5:00 pm
Grandstand - Stock Truck Pull.
7:00 am
8:00 am
8:00 am
12 noon
Sunday, July 24th
Livestock Released.
All 4-H Family Consumer Sciences, Clothing & Dept. 1
Projects released.
Merchants Building Opened for removal of Exhibits.
Exhibits released in the Fine Arts Building
Fine Arts Building Closed.
CirCus inCredible and Wood Carver
Wood Carver
Sun. July 17, Mon. 18, Tues. 19, Thurs. 21, .Fri. 22, Sat. 23.
1 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm. | Wed. 20 - 4 pm and 7 pm
(times subject to weather)
www.crawfordcofair.com
1,4, & 7 pm
2,5, & 8 pm
3:00 pm
CirCus inCredible
July, Sun. 17, Wed. 20, Thurs. 21,
Fri. 22 - 2 pm, 5 pm and 8 pm
Mon. 18 and Tues. 19 - 5 pm and 8 pm
419-562-7936
2 Saturday, July 16, 2016
2016 CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR
Galion Inquirer
A blue-ribbon champion
Michael Hoepf’s talent,
willingness to help, make
him a big winner
One of the many beautiful dahlias in the North
Robinson garden of Michael Hoepf. This one may
end up in a display at the Crawford County Fair.
By Chuck Jakubchak
Special to the Inquirer
BUCYRUS — In the early 1970s
Michael Hoepf, a Crawford County resident, entered his first county fair. More
than 40 years later he is still participating in the fair as one of the oldest, continual competitors.
During the initial years Hoepf focused
on produce, entering his homegrown
squash, grapes, apples and other fruits.
For a few years he dabbled in wine,
entering blueberry, elderberry and even
an unusual red beet wine. All of the
fruit was grown on his property and the
process of converting fruit into wine consumed at least two years.
One year he even won a prize for the
“largest onion,” but his fondest memory
was his entry of Lodi cooking apples
many years ago. Hoepf laughed as he
recalled the story.
“I plated three beautiful, 4-inch specimens and placed them in the display
area. Later I returned to find the plate
decorated with a prized blue ribbon, but
the apples were missing. Apparently they
looked so good that someone ate them
after they were judged.”
That anecdote says a lot about the
visual appeal of his winning entry.
When his children got involved with
4H and showed an interest in raising
rabbits, Hoepf worked with the fair organization as an educator. He voluntarily
mentored students on the intricacies of
grooming and caring for animals.
His involvement with the fair went
above and beyond being an exhibitor.
During the mid-80s, Hoepf’s dry
flower arrangements appeared at the fair
and years later he began to incorporate
live flowers in his arrangements. He has
Photos courtesy Jeanne Jakubchak
Michael Hoepf and his wife Diane in their gladiola garden in North Robinson .
been showing his unique floral designs
at the fair for more than 30 years. Every
one of his flowers was grown in his own
backyard. There were no exceptions.
In recent years he has focused on floral
designs and flower specimens, primarily gladiola and dahlias. Hoepf works
hard throughout the year cultivating his
magnificent dahlias and gladiola and he
is always pleased to see his entries in
the Crawford County Fair Flower Building. His lifelong passion for flowers has
found an outlet at the fair. If you visit the
flower barn, you are certain to see his
the culmination of his efforts.
More than 2,000 “gladdies” and 200
dahlias adorn his own yard and the array
of colorful plants allow him to select the
best candidates for his fair entries. Each
flower is delicately harvested at precisely
the right moment and carefully prepared
for transport to the Crawford County
Fair.
Hoepf humbly admits that he has had
success with his floral entries at the fair
and hopes to do well at the 2016 fair.
Since starting to compete in the county fair in the 70’s, Hoepf estimates he has
won nearly 1,000 ribbons and a dozen
Best of Show rosettes.
Although he enjoys the satisfaction of
seeing a ribbon on one of his entries, his
true satisfaction comes from diligently
working to produce the entry. His countless hours of labor reflect his commitment to excellence.
Hoepf’s love of county fairs and flowers extends beyond Crawford County.
Having attained the necessary training and education he became a certified
floral design judge in 2012, and that
permits him to judge floral designs and
flower specimens at other county fairs.
In 2016, he will travel throughout the
state and use his expertise in other
flower competitions. He also will offer
constructive criticism and help any competitor interested in learning more about
his craft.
Once the Crawford County Fair concludes, Michael Hoepf will focus on
the 2016 Ohio State Fair, which begins
later this month and continues through
early August. Hoepf will participate in
the gladiolus competition and the floral
design portion of the fair. Participating
at the state fair allows Hoepf to gain
valuable experience while learning from
the other serious competitors that participate at the state level.
Michael Hoepf had done Crawford
County proud. because he has become
Michael Hoepf
grows flowers
to show at
the Crawford
County Fair.
He specializes
in dahlias
and gladiolus.
He’s been a
participant a,
mentor, judge
and more at
the fair for
more than 40
years.
One of
the many
beautiful
flowers from
garden of
Michael Hoepf.
This one could
be on display
next week at
the Crawford
County Fair.
one of the foremost authorities on flower
gardening in the state. His floral designs
and flower specimens have won awards
at local, state and national levels and he
has been a fixture at the annual county
fair for more than 40 years. People like
Michael Hoepf help to make the Crawford County Fair the wonderful event
that it is!
Chuck Jakubchak is a free-lance writer from Strongsville.
He enjoys county fairs and appreciates the people who
work to make them happen.
2016 CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR
Galion Inquirer
Saturday, July 16, 2016 3
Fair lineup includes two days of harness racing, Christian music
Among the
Thirsty is a
contemporary
Christian rock
band from
Florida that
is breaking
barriers in
the music
industry.
The fair board is doubling down on harness racingthis year by adding a second night of the popular event.
By Kimberly Gasuras
kgasuras@civitasmedia.com
BUCYRUS — Starting
Sunday, the Crawford
County fairgrounds will
be full of people, laughter,
animals and entertainment as the 159th annual
Crawford County Fair
kicks off.
Back this year is two
nights, instead of only
one, of harness racing.
“We are offering a prize
each nightr. Harness rac-
ing has always been popular at the fair so we will
be offering it two nights
again,” said Rebecca
Starner of the fair board.
There will be a chance
for race goers to win a
flat screen television and
on the second night of
racing, many vouchers for
pari-mutual wagering will
be offered as prizes.
Harness racing begins
at 5:30 p.m. on July 20,
21 at the grandstand.
Also back at the fair
this year is Fair Jam, at 7
p.m. on July 18. Christian
rock bands Among the
Thirsty and 7eventh Time
Down will grace the stage
in the grandstand area.
New this year will be
Circus Incredible, with
daily shows Sunday
through Friday of fair
week. Circus Incredible
is family friendly and features aerial acts that are
jaw-dropping.
The very popular tractor and truck pull is at 7
Stop
on th for brea
k
e wa
y to t fast
he fa
ir
Home Cooked Daily Specials
Breakfast served all day
Open Daily
Sun 5am - 3pm | Mon - Fri 5am - 7pm | Sat 5am - 3pm
241 Harding Way East • Galion
419-468-1018
p.m. Thursday evening of
fair week, while a kiddie
tractor pull starts at 11
a.m. on July 23.
The annual demolition
derby will feature eight
heats, with classes for
compact and full size cars,
1/2 ton pickups and 1980’
or newer car models at 6
p.m. on July 17.
KOI drag racing is back
this yea,r beginning at 7
p.m. on July 19.
Amusement rides will
be offered beginning
on July 18 with special
ticket priceson Tuesday
for Family Appreciation
Day at $5 per session.
Sessions are from noon
to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to
close. All-you-can-ride on
all other days is $10 per
session. Also, Thursday
is Dollar Rides Day with
(Courtesy photo)
any ride costing $1.
Admission prices for
the fair are $5 per person
with kids 0 to 7-years-old
being admitted free of
charge. Various passes are
7eventh
Time
Down’s
music
tells the
story of
God’s
mercy
and grace
with
songs
that
explore
what it
means to
live a life
of faith
and to
celebrate
God’s
promises.
also available.
For more information,
visit http://crawfordcofair.
com/main.html.
Reach Gasuras on Twitter: @
kimberlygasuras
DT Petroleum Service Inc.
1105 W. Mansfield St. • Bucyrus 419-562-5562
And The Shroll
Family Would Like To
Wish Good Luck to all
Fair Participants
2016 CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR
4 Saturday, July 16, 2016
Galion Inquirer
What are your fair memories?
have a lot of luck with
The Crawford County
our rabbits and ducks (or
Fair starts Sunday.
It’s one of the few things chickens). They lived out
their short lives in some
I write about that is actupens in the back
ally older than I.
of an old garage
And I like that.
and then we buried
This is the 159th
them next door in
edition of this
another piece of
county fair, and
property ma and pa
once again fruits
owned. I remember
and vegetables, animals, crafts, canned Russ Kent none of their names,
and preserved
Galion Inquirer nor their colors nor
anything else much
food, tractors and
Editor
about them. I do
Crawford County’s
remember crawling
busiest youth will
around on the grass
invade Bucyrus and
the county fairgrounds off with some carrots and
lettuce, trying to get the
Whetstone Street.
rabbits to eat. But that’s
Growing up in Galion,
pretty much it.
I made it to the fair just
Except for this one little
about every year. I was
never in 4H, nor did I own story, told over and over
horses, cattle, nor pigs, so again by my parents.
We named two of our
the draw to me was difrabbits Aunt Polly and
ferent that it was to other
Uncle Red, after some real
kids in Crawford County.
relatives from the Wooster
I liked the food and the
area.
games.
One, day, as mom tells
I did, for a time growing
the story, she called my
up, have rabbits and even
dad, who was at work at
a couple ducks (or were
the high school, where he
they chickens?) at the
was either a teacher or
Kent homestead on Sumguidance counselor — I
mit Street. But never did
think he was teaching
any of my pets make it to
biology at the time — and
the fair. In fact, we didn’t
left a message about the
untimely and premature
deaths of Polly and Red.
Mom was pretty upset,
because she knew how
her kids cared about the
rabbits and that we’d be
heartbroken. And she kind
of liked them, too.
Anyway, she was blubbering and crying up a
storm as she made the
phone call to the high
school and apparently,
the part of the message
that didn’t come through
clearly was that Polly and
Red were rabbits.
So, either a note was
sent to dad, or one of the
secretaries or an administrator ran down to dad’s
classroom and informed
him that Polly and Red
had died overnight. The
word “rabbit” was not
included in that message.
When dad got that
grim, fateful message, he
rushed out the door, got
his car out of the parking lot and rushed home,
where — as the story goes
— he screeched to a halt
in our stone-covered alley
and ran into the house
to see how his wife was
doing.
Well, Mom was still
pretty much a mess and
very emotional. Dad asked
her what had happened:
Were Polly and Red in a
car accident? Did their
home and restaurant burn
down? How did they die?
Mom kept looking at
dad like he was nuts. Car
accident? Fire? What was
he talking about?
Mom answered: “What
are you talking about. I
don’t know how they died.
When I went to the pens
to feed them this morning
they were dead.”
And only then did my
fater realize it wasn’t
his real aunt and uncle
who had died, it was the
rabbits. And then — a
little embarrassed — dad
slinked back to the high
school to finish his workday.
So, that’s my story and
I’m sticking with it.
The moral of the story:
Don’t let your kids name
your pets after living relatives.
Anyway, back to the
county fair.
For me, scents and
(File photo)
The tractor pull is always one of the most-well attended events at the
Crawford County Fair.
aromas trigger memories.
And the Crawford County
Fair is filled with scents
and aromas.
There is the smell of
fresh cut grass in the
fields used as parking lots.
If it’s been a rainy week,
there is the god-awful
smell of disgusting, slimy
mud.
When you walk through
the gates, you’re immediately inundated with the
smell of food: grease from
the french fries, funnel
cakes and corn dogs that
are fried up throughout
the day; sausages, onions
and peppers cooked up
on a big griddle; cotton
candy, and all those lemons as you walk past the
lemon shake-up trailer.
There is the smell of
oil — and sometimes
vomit— from the carnival
rides; and fuel and overheated engine parts and
steam from the demolition
derby.
The animals have their
own smells: fresh hay
in the horse barns and
dairy barns. Rabbits — to
me — have a distinctive
smell. There is a funkier
kind of smell when you
walk into the pig barns,
but believe it or not, it’s
not an unpleasant odor.
It smells of life on a farm,
which, having grown up
in the big metropolis of
Galion, is not something I
See MEMORIES | 8
Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce
Enjoy The
Fair
138 Harding Way West • 419-468-7737
www.galionchamber.org
Good luck to all
4-H groups.
40894466
40766013
Welcomes Businesses
& Individuals
304 Sixth Ave., Galion, OH 419-468-5441
Galion Inquirer
2016 CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR
Saturday, July 16, 2016 5
The history of the Crawford County Agricultural Society
The first Crawford County Fair, in 1848, included a few
sheep and hogs, and a needlecraft display
Special to the Inquirer
BUCYRUS — The first Crawford
County Fair featured ten entries of
sheep and hogs, exhibited in wagons
on the present countycourthouse
grounds, along with what little needlecraft displays were on exhibit on the
second floor of the old courthouse.
That first fair was Oct. 19, 1848.
Officers of the Crawford County
Agricultural Society, which was organized in the fall of 1848, included
president Zalmon Rowse, vice president Jacob Mollenkopf and treasurer
Andrew Failor.
The second fair was held Oct. 25,
1849, on property that would become
occupied by the Quinby family. The
fair consisted mostly of attle exhibits.
An old advertisement announced the
amount of the premiums was $103.
The third fair, on Oct. 17-18, 1850,
was a much larger event. The fair
was more of a cattle show than a fair,
and was held on grounds purchased
expressly for the purpose. This site
was cut nearly in half by the Ohio and
Indiana Railroad, and a new site was
purchased along Rish Lane (now Wise
Street) near Oakwood Cemetery. The
land contained about eight acres and a
rough zig-zag curve, scarcely a quarter
of a mile in length, was developed for a
Ag Credit knows the value of
participation in 4-H, FFA,
Grange and Scouting programs.
94% of all Ag Credit employees
were members of these
organizations as they grew up.
Many are still helping as leaders
for today’s youth.
Congratulations to participants
and leaders
You are making a difference!
race track.
This also was the site of the fourth
fair. And fairs were held there yearly,
including the 14th … on Sept. 18-20,
1861.
There were no Crawford County
Fairs during the Civil War.
So it would be six years before
another fair.
In 1986, re-establishment of a fair for
Crawford County was considered. But
it was decided that the old site near
the cemetery was unsuitable because it
had been laid out in a pasture and the
two halls had been ruined during the
Civil War.
Entirely separated from the Crawford
County Agricultural Society was a
stock company organized by 11 men,
under the name of the Crawford County Agricultural Association, in 1867.
Among those men were John Bremen, who had several valuable horses,
and whose eighth-of-a-mile race course
could still be raced in 1921. Major
Edmund Kearsley, of Bucyrus, also was
a member of the new group. The group
bought 18 acres of land on the site of
the old Crawford County fairgrounds
north of Lincoln Way and just east of
the T. & O.C. main tracks.
In 1869, nine more acres were added,
and in 1871, another four-and-a-half
(Courtesy photo)
The latest addition to the fairgrounds is a new Ag
& Expo Building, finished in 2012, and named the
Camp Millard Agricultural & Exposition Building.
It is a 100- by 200-foot metal building with a
concrete floor that houses swine, goats and
alpacas during the fair.
acres were added, making available a
total of more than 32 acres. The Agricultural Society rented the land from
the Agricultural Association, and it
was here the four-day fair— the 15th
Crawford County Fair — was held in
October, 1867.
The Crawford County Agricultural
Society was reorganized, with D.C.
Boyer as president and Josiah Koler as
vice-president. Both men were stockholders in the Agricultural Association.
Christ Elliott was chosen secretary of
the society and J.B. Gormly was named
treasurer.
Annual fairs — from the 15th
through the 59th — were held along
the T. & O.C. Railroad. When it
became a question of removal of railroad shops from Bucyrus or room for
expansion, the Bucyrus Industrial
Association negotiated for the formation of a company called the Bucyrus
Land Company. It was organized to
dispose of the old fairground site and
provide a new place to have the fair.
Bucyrus newspapers reported that
after considerable “wrangling”, the old
Boyer farm lying just east of the old
grounds and Whetstone Street, was
bought from the owner, E. Yaussey, for
$17,500. That purchase occurred Sept.
16, 1914.
It was then that improvements to the
fair grounds began. And they continue
today.
In March and June of 1922, the
society approved improvements to the
fairgrounds costing more than $13,000.
Among those improvements was the
construction of a cattle barn, at the
cost of $6,043. Improvements of the
grounds and construction of buildings
with bonds sold for $7,000. Two years
later a horse barn was constructed on
the site at a cost of $7,000.
The next very significant event at
the site occurred in 1942, when the
fair board turned the grounds over to
the Crawford County Board of Commissioners. The fairgrounds was then
leased to the federal government for
the duration of the World War II and
for six months after the war for Camp
Millard.
On May 4, 1946, the county commissioners approved a resolution accepting
See HISTORY | 8
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2016 CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR
6 Saturday, July 16, 2016
Galion Inquirer
Looking back at previous Crawford County Fairs
Alec Sipes plays with his mini-lop rabbit.
File photos
The driver of this vehicle had a little different view of last year’s
demolition derby.
Country music star Raelynn was the
headliner at last year’s fair.
Concerts are a big part of the Crawford County Fair each year.
The Touch-a-Truck event was popular in 2015.
This four-legged creature looks
like he is waiting on someone to
show him off.
Quilts are one of the many craft on display during the county fair.
Chores are always a part of having animals at the fair, and
that includes sprucing up the pens.
Pieces of art vying for prizes come in all
shapes, sizes, textures, etc.
Rides come in all shapes, sizes and thrill levels.
2016 CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR
Galion Inquirer
Saturday, July 16, 2016 7
Sprucing up the fairgrounds for a prize
By Kimberly Gasuras
kgasuras@civitasmedia.com
(Courtesy Photo)
The North Auburn Hustlers 4-H Club decorated the
flower bed in front of the Secretary’s Office to take
the prize for grand champion overall.
BUCYRUS — With the 2016 Crawford County Fair getting ready to
kick off Sunday, a Company’s Coming
Contest was already held at the fairgrounds.
According to Rebecca Starner of
the fair board, the contest was held
for groups to decorate flower beds
throughout the grounds for a chance at
a prize and recognition.
The list of winners includes:
Grand Champion Overall- Best
overall plot on the fairgrounds
North Auburn Hustlers- Secretary’s
Office (Large)
Large Plots:
First Place- The Steer Barn-Families
of the Beef Barn
Second Place- Main Entrance- CC
FFA
Third Place- Dairy Barn-Dairy
Maids and Gents 4H
Medium Plots:
First Place- Junior Fair Livestock
Arena-Sulphur Springs Star Farmers
Second Place-Whetstone BuildingNorth Robinson Blue Ribbon
Third Place-Jr. Fair Board OfficeWhetstone Go Getters 4H
Small Plots:
First Place- Rabbit Barn-Crawford
Little Critters
Second Place- Sheep Barn-Heartland
4-H
Third Place- Camp Millard Memorial- Earth Wind & Flowers Garden
Club
Reach Gasuras on Twitter: @kimberlygasuras
Nineteen contestants vie for Junior Fair royalty
By Kimberly Gasuras
kgasuras@civitasmedia.com
BUCYRUS — As 4-H
and FFA members gear
up for this year’s Crawford County Fair, 19 of
them are getting ready to
compete for a spot on the
Junior Fair Royalty Court.
Competing to become
the Crawford County
Junior Fair King this year
are:
Nathaniel Bishop (Goal
Digital Academy, Bucyrus
Kilbourne Klovers 4-H
Club)
Zoltan Feldman (Wynford High School, Heartland 4-H Club)
For Crawford County
Junior Fair Queen:
Taylor Lutz (The Ohio
State University Agricultural Technical Institute,
Dairy Maids and Gents
4-H Club)
Bonnie Walsh (The
Ohio State University –
Marion, Town and Country 4-H Club)
Aryn Copeland (Wilmington College, Lykens
Champions 4-H, Wynford
FFA)
For Crawford County
Junior Fair Prince:
Thomas Kurek (Wynford, Holmes Liberty
Royal Lions 4-H Club)
Levi Hartschuh (Wynford Junior High School,
Lykens Champions 4-H
Club)
Alec Sipes (Crestline
High School, Crawford
County Denim and Paws
4-H Club)
Jacob Heefner (Buckeye
Central, Chatfield Blue
Ribbons 4-H Club)
For Crawford County
Junior Fair Princess:
Sydney Harris (Colonel
Crawford, Barnyard Guys
and Gals 4-H Club)
Madison Wagner (Wynford, Heartland 4-H Club)
Sydnee Corwin (River
Valley Middle School,
Dairy Maids and Gents
4-H Club)
Abbie Brocwell (William Crawford Intermediate School, Liberty Leaders 4-H Club)
Madison Furr (Colonel
Crawford Local School,
Crawford Little Critters/
North Robinson Blue Ribbons 4-H Club)
Alison Gebhardt (Wynford Junior High School,
Heartland 4-H Club)
Zoe Rutledge (Buckeye
Central High School,
Buckeye Central FFA)
Brooklyn Gebhardt
(Wynford High School,
Heartland 4-H Club)
Madison Tieben
(Colonel Crawford High
School, Dairy Maids and
Gents 4-H Club)
Crawford County Fair
is Family
Fun!!!
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Mon. - Fri. 8-5 • Sat. 7-2
Victoria Thimmes
(Buckeye Central High
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Hustlers 4-H Club)
Out of those contestants, a Junior Fair King
and Queen and Prince
and Princess will be chosen along with runnerups.
The Junior Fair Royalty
contest kicks off the fair
at 7:30 p.m. on July 17 in
the Youth Building.
Reach Gasuras on Twitter: @
kimberlygasuras
Link’s is a proud
supporter of
Junior Fair
Free Hauling of Your Livestock from the
Crawford County Fair if You Process it Here
7252 Leesville Rd., Crestline, OH 44827
419-683-2195
2016 CRAWFORD COUNTY FAIR
8 Saturday, July 16, 2016
Memories
From page 4
experience often.
But there are other
memories.
I remember once —
maybe in 6th grade, or
junior high — Wally Lucas
and I and three or four
other people decided to
ride our bikes from Galion
to the county fair. This was
way before this generation
of fancy bicycles. If you had
a three-speed with hand
brakes you were envied.
Anyway, we had our Schwinn stingrays and some
other larger bikes. I’m not
even certain we all had
bikes. One of two of us may
have ridden on the handle-
bars as we made that trek
to the fair.
We parked the bikes outside the gate — no chains
or locks were necessary —
spent five or six hours walking around the fair, looking
at the animals, flirting with
the exotic girls from far off
places like North Robinson
and New Washington; and
snacking on fair food. I
think we finally made it
home to Galion around 9
p.m. We never told our parents what we’d done … until
after the fact.
But that was a fun day.
So, the fair starts Sunday.
A fair schedule appears in
this special section, but
some of the highlights
include the demolition
derby Saturday night; the
Fair Jam with 7eventh
Time Down and Among the
Thirsty on Monday night;
KOI drag racing Tuesday
night; harness racing
Wednesday and Thursday;
a tractor/truck poll Friday
and a stock truck poll Saturday afternoon.
In between are crafts and
food judging, animal shows,
an antique tractor parade;
the Showman of Showman
competition, the livestock
sale and more.
So if you get a chance,
head to Bucyrus and take
in your own sights, sounds
and smells at the fairgrounds and create your
own memories.
Russ Kent is editor of the Galion
Inquirer, Morrow County Sentinel and
Bellville Star. If you have comments or
questions or story ideas, email him at
rkent@civitasmedia.com.
History
From page 5
all buildings and installed equipment — plus $20,000 cash from
the government — for use of the
fairgrounds.
On Oct. 15, 1946, a contract was
signed to rebuild and relocate the
half-mile track at the fairgrounds, at
a cost of $8,000.
Then, almost a year later, on
August 20, 1947, bonds were issued
for construction of the grandstand
and other buildings at a cost of
$125,000.
Other construction at the fairgrounds through the years has
included a horse barn and pole
shelter for $9,500 in 1959; a new
display building for $10,000 in
1958; another pole barn in 1961 at
a cost of $2,300; the Youth Building
Galion Inquirer
in 1974; a new restroom in 1990; a
new show arena in 1992 (to replace
the one burned in 1991) and a new
secretary’s office in 1995.
In 1955, a plaque was purchased
to commemorate the fairgrounds
used by Camp Millard during World
War II. The base for the plaque
was furnished and put in place by
members of the 753rd Railroad Battalion.
The latest addition to the fairgrounds is a new Ag & Expo Building, finished in 2012, and named
the Camp Millard Agricultural &
Exposition Building. It is a 100- by
200-foot metal building with a concrete floor that houses swine, goats
and alpacas during the fair.
The building is rented for many
community events throughout the
spring to the fall.
Information for this article is courtesy of the
Crawford County Fair Board.
We’re celebrating
The Crawford CounTy fair wiTh our annual
farm ParTs disCounT days July 17-23
Stop By and see our Display at the Fair
Just inside the walk-in gate
10% discounts on all farm parts
excluding bulk hy tran ultraction
5% discount on pre-packaged lubricants
Cash sales only
Credit & debit Card not applicable.
4295 monnett new winchester rd., Bucyrus, oh
Ph: 419-985-2141 Parts: 419-985-5004