2 minute read
Gary Prater receives Outstanding Fair Supporter Award
The Ross County Fair Board announces that Gary Prater was selected to receive the Outstanding Fair Supporter Award for Innovation and Excellence. He along with other select individuals were recognized during the 97th Ohio Fair Managers Association annual meeting held in January at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. From the young age of 10 until the present Gary has camped at the Ross County Fair except for a couple of years. His father was on the Ross County Agricultural Society Board of Directors in the early 60’s. His parents were both schoolteachers and when school ended for the summer, Gary, his father, and younger brothers spent time getting the fairgrounds ready for the fair. They worked together as a family on buildings, mowed, built fences and any other jobs that needed done. They used their own equipment to get it all completed in a professional and timely manner. Gary was a member of 4-H, FFA, and VoAg. For his 4-H project he showed horses. He thoroughly enjoyed displaying his welding and woodworking projects in the fair booths. He also had a cow/calf operation he tended to daily. One of Gary’s favorite memories of the fair was when he won pt place in an open horse show competing against 32 contestants. Gary has thoroughly enjoyed the Ross County Fair from the young boy helping his dad, then to a father of two 4-H children and now the proud Grandpa of two grandsons who are 4-H members in Ross County. Gary has served as a Director of the Ross County Agricultural Society for 33 years. In his time in that capacity, he has held several positions including President. He was involved in various building improvements and fund-raising projects including the beef and horse barns. Gary was instrumental in the big-name concerts in the 1990’s. In 1995, Gary chaired a committee that brought the Western Heritage Day Rodeo to the Ross County Fairgrounds for events that lasted 10 years. All the proceeds from the rodeo went to build the current beautiful 4-H horse complex that we have today. Gary was asked to serve on the OFMA Board of Directors representing District 4 which he enthusiastically served for 11 years. In his free time, he and his family started a very successful concession business which they still operate today. One of the highlights of Gary’s are the many friends he has made over the years through the fair. We are very blessed to have Gary on our Fairboard and we enjoy his stories and often look to him for guidance in many areas. Gary is always willing to help in any way he can make our fair the best it can be year after year. He reminds us that we are here for the kids!!
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