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For a long time, the Great Geauga County Fair board of directors have talked about building an event center on the fairgrounds, said fair Director Paul Harris. “Our plan has been for a long time to put a multipurpose building here on the fair grounds, an area that could have more people for rentals, events and stuff,” he said. “We asked Representative (Diane) Grendell for some help and she helped us out.”
While it may not look a day older than 199, The Great Geauga County Fair is cele brating its 200th birthday this year. Fair Director Paul Harris said an extra day was added to this year’s schedule to welcome the community for a day of cele bration. Rather than its typical opening day of Thursday, the fair will open Wednesday, Aug. 31, with a parade and ceremony before free entertainment at the Harrisgrandstand.said on Aug. 31, the rides, midways and buildings will be open and the admission — which includes a concert from country artist Tracy Byrd — will be free. “We set aside money to make sure we could do that (free concert) and have him, and we will have fireworks at night to con clude that,” Harris said. Other events include a royal Bengal tiger show, demolition derby, tractor pulls, High Steel Rodeo, KOI Drag Racing, The Great Geauga County Fair Band and a return of the racing“Thepigs.racing pigs are coming back. It’s been a few years that we’ve been able to have racing pigs,” said Harris. He said The Great Geauga County Fair is the oldest continuous fair in the State of Ohio and the second-oldest continuous fair in the Innation.honor of its 200th year, the fair board has been collecting memorabilia from past years, and Harris said there will be a special bicentennial display featuring artifacts from past“Wefairs.had tickets turned in from 1959 and 1926, we’ve had some tickets turned in from 1895 and a do mestic arts entry turned in from 1896,” said Harris. “We’re gonna have all that on display.”Thisyear’s fair has been a work in progress, with bicentennial plan ning having begun over 10 years ago, he said. “It’s going to be fun to celebrate history, reconnect with families of people we’ve lost throughout the years,” said Harris. “People have been huge supporters of the fair, so ev erybody is just looking forward to celebrat ing.”Harris said the fair board is working around the clock right now to try and pull the event“It’stogether.crunch time now, but it’s coming to gether good,” he said. Harris said there has been a ton of com munity support and everyone is enthusiastic about the 200th anniversary of the fair.
Harris added the board was able to get some funding in the capital budget for the project.“That’s where that money is coming from, so we can try and build a building that we can house bigger events and stuff in the offseason, here on the grounds and in the com munity,” Harris said, adding the building would also be used during the fair as an exhibit area, as well as for entertainment events.
By Brian Doering Brian@karlovecmeDia com Fairgrounds to Get Multi-Purpose Event Center
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“We’re in talks with trying to put a permanent location inside that building with all the artifacts from the 200th Bicentennial Fair and everything that’s been turned in, kind of like a little museum area with it under glass,” said Harris. “When you have your event or say you had a wedding there and 500 people are at the wedding, that area would be under glass and lit up so people can see that stuff in there.”
“I am looking forward to getting every body back again, there’s so much history in 200 years,” he continued. “I got emotional the other day when somebody asked me the question about what’s next. I have been on the board for 30 years and I know how many friends I’ve lost over the years. It’s gonna be fun to celebrate.”
“Everybody’s kind of getting in the groove now, it’s pretty exciting,” he said. The bicentennial has added an extra lay er of preparation and Harris compared it to planning a fair within a fair. “It just added another level. Before this year’s fair is over, we’re already planning for the next,” said Harris. “99% of the fair is the same this year as it has been in the past as far as planning is concerned. We want to do it right.”Harris credited the fair board — which consists of 16 directors, one elected from each township and five at-large directors — for their hard work. “It’s 21 people strong on that board,” he said. “We’ve got a great office staff, grounds workers, treasurer’s office and secretary’s of fice. They all work together.” However, he said, they couldn’t pull the fair together without help from a legion of volunteers.“Thefair has been a part of their lives for so many years and so many people have family involvement in the fair for so many years, that volunteers just come out of the woodwork,” said Harris. “The fair board can do all the plan ning in the world, but if it wasn’t for the volun teers that step up, we could never pull it off.
The Countdown Is On for Great Geauga County Fair Festivities Include Free Admission Aug. 31
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Burton Traditions Live
The original parking attendants are gone now, but their sons and friends have taken over.“It’s truly like a big family reunion for friends, family and people who park here,” Hauser said. “Our expenses have gone up some over the years and now include meals for six days this year, a five-day fair pass for each worker, spraying yard for mosquitoes, parking insurance and in a bad weather year, lawn repair.” has to be up by 6 a.m. no matter the time they went to bed and are usually up until the last car is gone. When Hauser was around 7, her mother worked at the fair office. “I rode the merry-go-round many times at the cost of 10 cents per ride,” Hauser fondly recalled.When she was old enough for 4-H, her turned into a focus of study in college. She graduated in 1964 from Hiram Col lege with a teaching degree in home eco nomics. After graduation, Hauser was a 4-H summer assistant at the Geauga County ex tension office, which is where she met her husband, a member of the Auburn Dairymen Club and Junior Leaders. Back then, the 4-H building, now Mer ioned way,” Hauser said. Decades later, the memories are still fresh. “When Chuck and I decided it was time to buy a place of our own, we knew we wanted to be in the Burton area,” Hauser said. “He was thinking farm. I was thinking Burton Vil lage. I wanted to be within walking distance to stores and the wonderful library. The last on at Oldest Ohio Fair
As the countdown begins for The Great Geauga County Fair’s 200-year anniversary kickoff, there’s nothing old about the excite ment each new fair brings to its community.
“This year’s fair is special because it highlights the history and traditions created through the years,” said Hauser, whose fami ly created their own custom of selling parking spots on their lawn for the fair’s duration. “Chuck (her late husband and former Bur ton Village councilman) would love that we’re continuing the parking tradition because it was one of the highlights of his year,” Hauser said. “Thank God for friends and family, be cause without them, it couldn’t happen. The guys take vacation in order to be here. We will continue to park cars until the guys are ready to quit.”
Pat Hauser has lived at the corner of Hickox and Cook streets across from the Geauga County Fairgrounds —gates 6 and 7 — since Lyndon B. Johnson was president. Ten presidents later and the fair contin ues to provide great memories.
By rose nemunaitis eDitor@karlovecmeDia com See Traditions • Page A5
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Another longtime fair fan is Geauga Cred it Union’s Lisa Briggs, who first became in volved in The Great Geauga County Fair as a parent of children involved in 4-H, the Junior Fair Board and Junior Leaders. After seeing all the support the commu nity had given her children, Briggs wanted to pay it forward either by sponsoring youth events, or helping those with livestock proj ects by purchasing the project they put all their hard work into.
Geauga County Commissioner Jim Dvor ak and his wife, Luanne, have lived in Burton Township for 18 years. Both were 4-H advi sors in the 90s. “It feels like a bit of a homecoming,” Dvorak said. “You see old friend and make new ones. It’s like a 9-year-old kid the night before Christmas. It’s the oldest continuous fair in the state of Ohio. That says a lot.” Hauser said she’s always a little sad when the fair is over because it signifies the end of summer.“Weusually take one last walk around the midways while everyone is closing down,” Hauser said. “I guess it’s our goodbye and farewell ‘til next year.”
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“I hope that the support I can give to the fair and the youth involved in the fair can match the support my children have been given over the years,” Briggs said. “By being a community supporter, you can see Burton come to life the week of the fair (and in the) people who come to experience the fun.”
Page A5August 2022 Geauga County Maple Leaf & Middlefield Post house we saw was the one.” Her family looks forward to the county fair, like many families, because it’s a chance for friends and family to be together. “When things quiet down in the evenings, we sit in the garage or around the fire pit in front of the garage to talk and joke around,” Hauser said. “Sometimes, when the kids were younger, they would entertain the adults with songs and skits. We also enjoy going to the fair to see the exhibits and the animals.” Then, there are the well-planned menus for the parking staff. Breakfast is usually eggs, sausage and ba con with some kind of pastry. Lunch is always ham or turkey sandwich es, veggies, potato or macaroni salad, chips and various desserts. Dinners are pizza and salad, Italian sausage and meatballs, a taco table, burgers and hot dogs and Cuban sandwiches. Labor Days are fair food. In addition, the guys cook homemade kraut, sausage and spaetzle in a Crockpot in the garage, called “Put Some Kraut On It.” “Chuck always used say, ‘Oh, just put some kraut on it,’” Hauser reminisced. Her husband and father parked cars the first year for 50 cents. Parking prices have been raised over the years and they have continued the tradition for 56 “Theyears.fairgrounds is my favorite place to walk,” Hauser added. “I have enjoyed watch ing the work they are doing for the 200th cel ebration.”Oneof the buildings across from her house got new red siding and a new roof. She said it looks nice next to the red Her itageTheBuilding.grandstand has new siding and LED signage.“Ihope people appreciate the work re quired to take care of all those buildings and grounds,” Hauser said.
Higbee’s wife, Melissa, who holds the rank of U.S. Army command sergeant major, is a member of the band, too. She is an Iraq combat veteran, mother of three, and her husband’s biggest supporter.
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Country music star Chris Higbee will take the stage 8 p.m. Sept. 3 for a free show at the small grandstand.
Clear your calendars and dust off your boots, country music singer-songwriter Chris Higbee is back by popular demand at this year’s bicentennial Great Geauga County Fair.With his effortless country swagger, heartfelt patriotism and boundless energy, there’s no other county fair he said he’d rath er be performing at. The country music star will take the stage at 8 p.m. Sept. 3 for a free show at the small grandstand.“Ourtenure there has been an amazing run. Typically you don’t get to go back to fairs that often, but Geauga always has us back,” Higbee said. “I love it there. It’s the most comfortable show in the world to play for me because we’ve done it so many times. I recognize a lot of the faces and it’s like playing for the family. I can’t wait to get back there.”Higbee was born and raised about 150 miles away in Dawson, Pa., and has stayed true to his Besidesroots.hisvocals, he is known for his im pressive fiddle playing. He remembers pick ing it up when he was 7 to impress a girl. His son, Alex, 12, picked up the fiddle when he was a little over 6 years old. Both share their fiddling talents with au diences on their busy 2022 tour, which has traveled as far south as Nashville, Tenn., as far north as Erie, Pa. and the Cleveland-area, and all points in between. The Chris Higbee Band is made up of lifelong friends, as well as some of Nashville’s sessionConcert-goersplayers. can expect Higbee’s fair playlist to include fan favorites such as “Thrills Rock,” “Something about a Back Road,” “Angry American” and “Superhero.” “All songs I penned and love to play,” Hig bee said, adding he has always loved music. He began his career as a founding mem ber of the band Povertyneck Hillbillies and seven years later, he struck out on his own. He said songs he writes come from his heart and sou. His sophomore album, “Ready or Not,” was released in 2015, followed by his third full length project, “Super Hero,” which features his son, Alex, on the fiddle, as well as vocals on the title track they wrote together.“It’samazing having him on stage, watch ing him grow up as I did in the music indus try,” Higbee said. “He’s very talented. As a matter fact, he’s way more talented than I ever was at that age.”
“I’ve always wanted to meet Brad Paisley and Garth Brooks — top class guys,” he add ed. Most recently, he has boosted his social media network into the millions with his tal ent and personality.
Chris Higbee is Ready to Get the Party Started
As for what Higbee hopes concert-goers take away from his concert? “A big, huge freaking smile,” he said.
By rose nemunaitis eDitor@karlovecmeDia com
“I’ve been in the music industry a long time,” Higbee said. “I’ve opened up for just about everybody. It’s always nice to meet new artists and there are some artists I wish I didn’tOnemeet.”ofhis all-time favorites is “Fiddle King” — Charlie Daniels — who died in 2020 and with whom Higbee played side by side.
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By ann Wishart ann@karlovecmeDia com
100 Years
Chardon
It is no surprise that the sale of Western Products snow plows and salt spreaders from Wisconsin is still the primary focus for the operation, as Chardon Welding is located in the middle of the Snowbelt.
“In the grand scheme of things, we try to make a quality product, what the customer wants,” John said, adding some clients don’t understand welding is an art that requires more than skill with a torch and metal.
“Joe Sidley sold plows out of here. Peo ple came continuously for them,” Amy said. “John and I became direct with Western Products in 2006. It’s a huge part of our busi ness.”They stick to Western Products plows, spreaders and parts, and keep sales local.
Welding Plows Ahead Toward
While many orders come from customers in Northeast Ohio, the reputation of Chardon Welding is widespread. They ship orders all over the continental U.S., Amy added. With a workforce of four, the shop can weld steel, aluminum and stainless.
Chardon Welding has been a business landmark at 344 Center Street in Chardon for more than 80 years and John Svoboda Jr. plans for the operation he owns with his wife, Amy Svoboda, to celebrate 100 years in the same“Itlocation.isone of the oldest businesses in Chardon,” said John. Chardon Welding was established in 1938 by the Knapp family and bought by John Svoboda Sr. in 1986 from Joe Sidley. John started working in the shop in 1992 and Amy was hired in 1999. They bought the opera tion from John’s father in 2005 and spent a lot of time five years ago remodeling the dark front room with new paint, aluminum diamond-plate paneling and brighter light fix tures, Amy said. As the business name predicts, custom welding is an important part of the business.
“Many municipalities from all over the state buy from us. They are a big part of our business,” said John, estimating the land scaping industry accounts for about one-third of hisBesidesclientele.repairing trailers, tractors and mowers used on a daily basis by landscaping crews, his welding team is often asked to cre ate custom artwork, such as a handrail for a landscape feature, racks for a manufacturing plant or pipe bends for a power plant, he said. The couple has seen a change in what customers want and how they ask for it. They see more orders and specifications coming in via email and fewer face-to-face visits or phone conversations than in the past, John said.That doesn’t always make for better cus tomer relations, but the Svobodas and their employees adapt as needed.
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ANN WISHART/KMG Chardon Welding’s owners John and Amy Svoboda usually bid on a steer and a hog at The Great Geauga County Fair every sum mer, where they also have a display of their Western Products snowplows.
“We sell them all year around. I don’t sell parts for other brands. We are a dealer for Western,” Amy said. Every year, Chardon Welding has a booth at The Great Geauga County Fair, with a dis play of plows and spreaders and some of the items their shop fabricates. They also attend the livestock sale and usually purchase a steer or a hog to support the area 4-H clubs. Many of their plows are sold to area land scapers, who shift from mowing grass and maintaining flowerbeds in the summer to clearing ice and snow in the winter, Amy said.
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“I am pleased to say I am a new board member of the Geauga Bluecoats, a wonder ful charitable foundation that provides sup port for the families of Geauga County safety forces who have lost their lives in the line of duty,” he Hermann’sadded.Pickles has been located in the rural farmlands of Garrettsville at 11964 state Route 88 for over 50 years.
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“Just ask my wife and she will tell you that the entire first two rows of our refrig erator are completely taken up by pickles at all times,” Viancourt said. “We are the front line taste-testers when it comes to brand new pickle products and have to admit, we love it. Pickles are certainly our very first choice accompaniment to all sandwiches in the house, and we are forever giving samples away to friends and strangers alike to share the love and introduce others to Hermann’s products.”Inaddition to the recognized health ben efits of pickles — a rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and beta-carotene — Viancourt said they have also been delighted to see a recent rise in pickle juice as a novel offering in many bars and restaurants.
The Hermann family began making pick les in the basement of their house that sits at the front of the property where they are located.“We also have a very loyal following and the popularity comes down to simply one thing — taste,” Viancourt said. “Our products boast a natural, homemade flavor, with many different selections including kosher dill, cold and crunchy, and Louie’s sweet horse radish and Hermann’s very own sauerkraut, to name a few.” They are also proud to be the exclusive licensed manufacturer of Nathan’s Famous Pickles in North America, a brand most cus tomers are familiar with.
New Owner Carries on a Flavorful Family Tradition
eDitor@karlovecmeDia com
“I can honestly say, I rarely meet a person who doesn’t love a good pickle,” Viancourt said.
Pat Viancourt, who recently took over the reigns of the successful Hermann’s Pickles in Garrettsville, had his eye on the business for several years before purchasing it. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a business degree, Vian court’s career took him to the east coast for many years, where he worked for various large corporations and small business start ups.He ultimately became an operator of multiple private equity and privately-owned companies, mostly in the food and beverage industry.Tenyears ago, he and his brother, Tim, toured Hermann’s Pickles with an interest in buying the company, but the timing wasn’t quite right “Happily,yet.10 months ago, I was very for tunate to be able to purchase Hermann’s and now run the company, with my brother as my business partner and chief revenue officer,” Viancourt said. “This time, thankfully, our timing was just right.”
By rose nemunaitis
Bainbridge Township’s Pat Viancourt is the new owner of Hermann’s Pickles in Garrettsville.
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Viancourt invites everyone to stop by and see them at Hermann’s for a quick tour of the plant and pickling process, which he said is very fun and interesting to see. To visit, call 1-800-245-2696 to set up a tour.
Viancourt — who comes from a large family from the west side of Cleveland — and his wife live in Bainbridge Township and are empty nesters after their two sons graduated college.“We have wonderful friends and neigh bors all around, and like to be involved in activities that benefit the area,” Viancourt said.This includes The Great Geauga County Fair, which he attended many years ago as a child and is looking forward to returning to for its 200-year anniversary.
“Over the years, Hermann’s Pickles has produced the highest quality refrigerated ko sher pickles and sauerkraut,” Viancourt said. “It’s a classic American success story.”
The Hermann family, descendants of Hungarian Jewish immigrants in northern Portage County, founded the business in 1938. At first, they grew their own cucum bers to make pickles, but they are now har vested from brokers. The refrigerated pickles are packed and stored in cold liquid, and contain few, if any, preservatives beyond vinegar and brine.
Hermann’s sells and distributes pickles to many restaurants and grocery stores local ly and across the United States. “We are happy to say that number is growing daily by leaps and bounds,” Vian courtLocally,said. you can find Hermann’s Pickles in Heinen’s, Marc’s and Giant Eagle grocery stores, among other independent retailers, and they service over 90% of every multiunit restaurant chain in Northeast Ohio that serves pickles, including Corky & Lenny’s, Yours Truly and many others.
It’s not uncommon for producers to ar rive unannounced with their full boxes and baskets, Davis said. The fresh fruits and veg etables are quickly tagged and lined up await ing the influx of Greenhouses,buyers.large and small, are a good source of flowers and live plants. Davis said he usually has colorful pots from Urban Growers There is always a market for quality pro duce, a reality Davis and several partners realized more than 20 years ago when they joined forces to buy the Middlefield Market on Nauvoo Road from Dave Reynolds, of Farmington.“Alotofus were just setting up. We didn’t have any money. It was exciting,” he recalled. “I love the produce auction.”
Geauga Growers Auction Sells Produce Spring to Fall
The colorful aisles are crowded with businesspeople looking to win the bid for a cardboard bin full of cantaloupe or flats of peppers of every kind. If their grocery store shoppers want it, the buyer will bid for it. Some growers hover by their items, watching the action and waiting to see how their goods sell. Families wander through the small-lot aisles, considering pecks of potatoes, hang ing baskets of flowers or boxes of berries that might make mouthwatering preserves or pies.
By ann Wishart ann@karlovecmeDia com
Anyone who doubts Geauga County is the land of plenty should visit the Geauga Grow ers Produce Auction held thrice a week in Middlefield.The20,000-square-foot auction hall is filled, May through October, with beautiful, quality produce from asparagus to zucchini and from beets to begonias, depending on the time of “There’syear.times the building is full of pumpkins,” said Geauga Growers Associates Inc. shareholder and auctioneer Mike Davis. “The pumpkin market just exploded the last couple of years.”
“It’s all fresh, locally-grown produce. I’d say 99% is picked that morning,” Davis said in an interview before the auction. Most of the growers are from Geauga, Ashtabula and Trumbull counties and he esti mated 70% to 80% are Amish. Farming is part of the Amish culture, but many Amish can’t raise enough bushels of done on fairly small parcels, Davis said. “It’s extremely labor intensive and it gives them the chance to go out in the field and work alongside their children,” he said. “They are one of the reasons we started the produce auction.”
Weaving the atmosphere together is the sing-song cadence of Davis, moving from lot to lot as bids are recorded. It is a smooth-running operation with barely a pause between sales. Most of the week, the huge building at 14575 Madison Road is closed and quiet. But for a few hours starting at 5 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, the front dock doors are open and refrigerated trucks from Fred’s Fresh Produce, Miller Quality Produce, Miles Farmers Market and others wait to be loaded.
locally-grown garlic during the Aug. 1 Geauga Growers Produce Auction on Madison Road in Middlefield Township.
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The original partners — Davis, Dan Anna, Mark Kaufman and Levi Miller, a blacksmith — saw the possibilities but wanted to keep the costs down. The GGAI charges a maxi mum of 12% seller’s premium to auction the goods, Davis said. “All the shareholders are in agreement we’re not in it for the money. We try to get the money back to the growers. It’s more of an investment in the community,” he said, adding no shareholder can have more than two shares of the corporation. “Nobody can ever get a controlling inter est,” he said. For an operation that started out in a 10-footby-10-foot booth, the Geauga Growers Auction has definitely taken root and blossomed. “It’s one of Geauga’s best kept secrets. I think most people don’t know what we do here,” Davis said.
metrocreative
• Poultry hatchery manager: Hatchery managers oversee all of the aspects involved in poultry hatching. These can include man agement of personnel, handling and sorting of eggs, maintenance of equipment, coordina tion of pick-ups and deliveries, and oversee ing quality control.
• Soil scientist: Among the many tasks they might perform, scientists in the field of agriculture test soil samples for minerals and contaminants. By studying the soil, sci entists can recommend which crops the land can support, how much livestock can feed in an area and the implications of agriculture on the area as it pertains to managing natural resources.Acareer in agriculture presents many ex citing opportunities in a number of different applications. It’s a vast industry that utilizes professionals with an array of skillsets.
• Animal control officer: These officers enforce local and regional laws that pertain to the treatment and care of animals. They patrol for distressed animals and ensure cru elty-free practices are adhered to.
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Explore a Career in Agriculture
The agricultural industry provides a vari ety of opportunities to professionals interest ed in this often misunderstood field. According to the employment resource AGCareers.com, more than 250 career pro files are available to people interested in a career in agriculture. And while jobs in agri culture may not be as prevalent as they were a few centuries ago, when 72 percent of the workforce was employed in farm occupations in the United States, agriculture remains a booming industry that greatly affects the na tion’s economy. Today, one in 12 American jobs is depends on agriculture, according to the career resource Payscale. The following are some potential profes sions for those considering careers in agri culture.•Agricultural business manager: This person oversees the business operations of a farm by providing organization and leader ship during the production process. He or she contacts creditors, selects seeds, buys new equipment, and ensures the distribution of product.•Agricultural lawyer: Attorneys who specialize in agriculture deal with water and environmental issues, represent agricultural labor in disputes, ensure proper marketing techniques are followed, handle real estate and land use issues, and much more.
• Grain buyer: Grain buyers build rela tionships with producers so they can pur chase grain for their particular companies. They negotiate purchase agreements, source grain supplies and issue purchase orders.
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Nancy O’Reilly and her late husband, Kev in O’Reilly Sr., raised five children in the 4-H tradition on their 67-acre farm on Chardon WindsorWhenRoad.their eldest, Kevin Jr., was 9 and started talking about becoming a veterinari an, she organized and became the advisor of the Veterinary Science 4-H Club to nurture that dream, she said.
ly, into the sale arena. Many would say 4-H is the heart and soul of the fair. Youth spend months preparing their hogs, rabbits, roosters, ducks and lambs for the livestock auction, finally handing the lead line to the buyer and walking away — sometimes in tears. It is a tradition in which many Geauga County youth participate and begin to learn the financial realities of farming.
Kevin and his sister and brothers — Lisa, ANN WISHART/KMG
The O’Reilly family has been involved in farming and 4-H for three generations. Pictured are, from left, David, 9, his grandmother, Nancy, his father, Kevin, and his sister, Meghan. The 130-acre farm has a perpetual deed restriction through the Ohio Department of Agriculture Farmland Preservation Program.See O’Reilly • Page A17 ANN WISHART/KMG Little Ireland Farm is owned by Kevin and Amy O’Reilly in Parkman Township. They have been farming there for 32 years.
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“All our kids participate. O’Reillys have had animals at the fair for 45 years,” Kevin said, sitting in the side yard of his family’s farm in Parkman Township. Nancy handed the leadership of the club, now called Flock Masters, off to Amy, but still shares the enthusiasm.
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“It’s been a good living for us. It just re quires a lot of faith. You put the seed in the ground and say a prayer,” he said.
“Growing up, we had a lot of sheep and cattle at Mom’s farm,” he said. “All my sib lings were in the 4-H club.” That’s a part of farm life that continued to the next Kevin’sgeneration.interestin becoming a vet shifted and he earned a master’s degree in animal nutrition. After college, he and Amy married and started a family. They bought the old farmhouse at the corner of Hosmer and Far ley roads and farm the 130 acres they own, in addition to acreage they lease.
“The whole family participates in the show,” Rachel said, adding it sounds like it will be a lot of fun because the celebrity chosen to “show” Ollie probably won’t have any experience with a steer. The celebrity may be an OSU football player or a television news person, she said. People bidding during the auction can travel to Columbus or bid online, she said. The steer won’t change hands, but the money raised will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. More infor mation can be found at Deanscharitysteer show@OSFair.com.Likemanyparents,
The financial side of agriculture is suffer ing, between the rising cost of diesel fuel and fertilizer and the price of corn falling from $7 a bushel to $5 a bushel, Kevin said. Despite the fluctuations in the market, it is a life he values.
Kevin wonders if his children will follow in his footsteps, but they are still young. The eldest, Meghan, is 23 and focused on building a graphic design busi ness. And it’s a little early to know if David, 9, wants to inherit the Little Ireland brand, Kevin“Nobody’ssaid. committed, yet,” he said, adding all the next generation has the back ground in agriculture to continue the family tradition.Most farms in Geauga County require two incomes — one from the farm and one from other employment to keep in the black, he said, adding his father was a huge help to the family venture for 40-plus years.
“We all go to the fair together,” said Nan cy, grandmother of 19 children. Recently, Rachel, 18, who graduated from Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School in the spring, was selected to participate in the Dean’s Charity Steer Show at The Ohio State Fair Aug. 2. The family helped her solicit money, sponsoring her for one of 11 teams to show with a celebrity. Rachel and her steer, Ollie, are part of the Team Bill and Ty’s Excellent Adventure, in cluding Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Pres ident Bill Patterson and member Ty Higgins.
Steve and Catherine Wolcott started G.A.R. Horizons from scratch, with no family farming background. Yet, the farm, on state Route 6 in Hamb den Township, three miles east of Chardon Square, has flourished over the years. Steve juggles a full-time job and comes home to work more hours on the farm be cause the Wolcotts believe it is important people know where their food comes from and have a good relationship with the people raisingTheit.farm motto is “Know Where It’s Grown,” and in 2014, Catherine started sell ing their own freezer meats at local Farmers Markets during the summer months. By 2018, a farm store was built and is now open year round. Early this year, the store doubled in size inside with more freezers added to display meat/seafood. New items include A2 dairy/ ice-cream, a large selection of pierogis, oils, spices, rubs and Bob’s Red Mill baking sup plies.People can purchase individual cuts, meat packages or even whole animals to stock the freezer. A popular package is the monthly meal bags, including farmers choice pork, beef and chicken and the customer’s choice of an add-on. G.A.R. offers online ordering and local delivery. People may sign up for the email list to get to know what’s happen ing first. Visit garhorizons.com for hours, location, ordering and more information. Fol low G.A.R. on Facebook or Instagram to see daily farm happenings, animal photos and of course, the dogs who ride along to do chores.
Something Beautiful on the Horizon
ANN WISHART/KMG Rachel O’Reilly, 18, and her crossbred steer, Ollie, are entered in the Dean’s Charity Steer Show at The Ohio State Fair Aug. 2 to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. Rachel and her sisters and brother have been involved in 4-H and farming the O’Reilly homestead most of their lives.
“He gave a lot of advice on the business side of it” and was always encouraging, Kevin said.Kevin Sr. was involved in starting Geauga Feed and Grain Supply, a business that has flourished in Newbury Township under the ownership of Kevin and Amy.
Jim, Jeff, Dan and Paul — raised livestock and learned how to farm while their mother and father encouraged their club involvement.
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Page A18 August 2022Geauga County Maple Leaf & Middlefield Post Geauga County is home to many different birds of prey. Yet, the species that earns the award for the most vibrant colors, diminutive size and spirited personality is the American Kestrel.Recognized by its slender, pointy wings, long tail and swift flight, the kestrel is not a hawk, but rather, a falcon. Standing a mere known as secondary nesters, utilizing holes they seek out rather than constructing on Tiny Falcon Thriving in Geauga County By tami gingrich See Falcon • Page A19 A group of Amish children help to band Kestrel chicks as part of Tami Gingrich’s Kestrel Nest Box Project, which she launched in 2018.
The American Kestrel is North America’s most widespread falcon.
Page A19August 2022 Geauga County Maple Leaf & Middlefield Post their own. Old woodpecker homes, hollow trees, crevices in barns or other buildings may all qualify for suitable kestrel nest sites. Yet, one of their favorite places to nest is in a manmade nest box. The American Kestrel is North America’s most widespread falcon. They are a bird of open country, preferring grasslands over for est. Yet, throughout the past 50 years, their numbers have alarmingly declined more than 50%. Scientist believe that a combination of factors has played a part in this disappearance. These include, but are not limited to, loss of habitat, competition for nest sites, climate change, car collisions, predation by other birds of prey and chemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides, that build up in their systems. I am a lifelong resident of Geauga County and have fond memories of assisting the Cleve land Museum of Natural History band kestrels right here when I was in high school. Kestrels were so plentiful back then, and the county so rural, that this is where the museum chose to do its work. Alas, over the years, the popula tion of kestrels has all but disappeared. As my 31-year career as a naturalist/ biologist with the Geauga Park District was coming to a close, I decided to undertake one final endeavor. In 2018, I launched my Kes trel Nest Box Project. Designed to act as a partnership between the park and local land owners, with a goal of providing nest boxes to be placed in suitable kestrel habitat, this was to be a community effort. With lumber money in my budget for 25 boxes, I enlisted a local Amish craftsman for their construction. Then came the task of making my pitch to the people whose proper ties showed the greatest promise of hosting kestrel pairs. Door-to-door I went, with a box in one hand and plenty of kestrel information in the other. I felt like a traveling salesman! Although I received some strange looks, and not everyone was on board, overall I was pleased with the positive interest and, in the end, was able to distribute all 25 boxes. Instantly, landowners were converted to landlords as we discussed the proper box placements, height and hole direction for each property location. Also required was their dil igence to keep the boxes free of other tenants (mainly starlings and squirrels) so they would be available when the kestrels came calling. Landowners also committed to cleaning out the boxes after the kestrels had nested. I agreed to monitor the boxes once a week, starting in March through the end of nesting season, to record their status. As a licensed bird bander, I sweetened the deal by offering landowners an up-close look at the nestlings and utilizing their assistance when it was time to band them. The boxes went up at the end of 2018 and we waited with great anticipation for the fol lowing spring. Although there were kestrels in the area, it was unknown whether or not they would abandon their traditional nest sites in place of a manmade box. Although there are pockets of kestrel habitat throughout Geauga County, it is the southeast quadrant (Burton, Middlefield and Parkman) that holds the largest expanses of rural land — and much of it lies within the Amish community. It is in this very area where our boxes prevailed. In 2019, four of the boxes hosted kestrel pairs. Although not all of the same boxes were utilized, this same trend of four nestings con tinued in 2020 and 2021. This year, however, things took a positive turn with a whopping seven of the boxes utilized by kestrels.
It is interesting to note that in other parts of the country where nest box programs are in place, the kestrel population continues to decline. Yet, here we are, in Geauga County, with a population that is beginning to climb. To date, I have banded over 80 chicks. Hosting a nest box is a waiting game. It takes diligence and patience. Yet, for those who have succeeded in their landlord respon sibilities, the reward has been great. Owners tell me having a front row seat to a falcon show has been an opportunity of a lifetime. Watching these beautiful birds of prey rear their young and instruct them how to hunt and survive has given landowners a new depth of appreciation for them, especially when it comes to rodent control. Furthermore, their assistance in banding the nestlings has resulted in an unforgettable experience and has instilled awe and hap piness all around. I am beginning to feel a sense of pride and ownership developing in the community. Word is spreading. Interest in the project is growing. Afterall, it’s not often you have an opportunity to play a first hand role in the recovery of a species in peril. Tami Gingrich is a lifelong resident of Geauga County. She recently retired from a 31year career as a Field Naturalist for Geauga Park District. She and her husband reside on a small farm in Parkman Township. a Kestrel chick for banding from its man made box. Cermak is one of many Geauga County landowners who agreed to place a nest box on their property as part of the Kestrel Nest Box Project.
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The Geauga County Fairgrounds in 1908.
Early Fairs a Traveling Event
Several buildings still standing on the fair grounds date back to the nineteenth century, the fair said. The Domestic Arts Hall was built in 1856 and rebuilt in 1889, and along with the Flow er Hall, built in 1890, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A replica of the original Small Grandstand, which was built about 1892, was rebuilt in 1997. Additionally, a section of the old C & E Interurban railway station now serves as the fair’s Administra tion building.
“In 1823, James Monroe, our 5th Presi dent, was proclaiming the Monroe Doctrine, the United States was still a young nation, the State of Ohio was only twenty years old, much of Ohio’s Western Reserve was yet a rugged wilderness and the invention of mod ern conveniences, like the telephone, televi sion, automobile and Internet, were decades away,” the Great Geauga County Fair website states.And since that time, the fair has been held continuously each year, which the fair website calls a somewhat remarkable feat, as it was held despite multiple national con flicts including the Civil War and the Span ish-American War. The fair also ran through two World Wars, the Great Depression, the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars, and various other droughts and hardships in America’s history.Infact, the fair’s roots go even farther back to 1798, when some of the earliest settlers in the Burton area, the Umberfield family, held a June gathering that quickly became an annual occurrence. That annual “jollification” grew into a fair, and in Feb ruary 1823 a hardy group of pioneers, in cluding some of the earliest settlers Ohio’s Western Reserve, banded together to form the Geauga County Agricultural and Manu facturing Society. The since-renamed Geau ga County Agricultural society is the oldest existing such organization in the county and still sponsors the fair. The early fair also served as a way to “cel ebrate and preserve the nation’s economic independence, bountiful harvests, common New England heritage and ideals,” the fair says. “In the spirit of hard work, persever ance, fellowship, American Yankee ingenuity and good old- fashioned fun they prevailed and thereby began a tradition that endures to theThepresent.”fairreceives about a quarter million visitors each year, from all over Northeast Ohio and beyond. Crowds throng to the more than 12,000 exhibits, animals, rides, food, music, entertainment and special attractions which inspired the Fair’s motto, “Something for Everyone Since 1823.”
The Geauga County Fair is holding its Bi centennial, and also the record for the oldest continuous fair in Ohio, and the second old est in the Althoughcountry.theGreat Geauga County Fair was initially held in late October, it was even tually moved earlier in the season to avoid the snow belt’s unpredictable weather. Now held annually each Labor Day weekend, the fair is the “grand finale” highlight to Geauga County’s summer fun events. The “Great” in the Fair’s name and seal was officially added to signify the Fair’s se niority standing as the “Great Granddaddy” of Ohio’s county fairs.
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The first “Fair & Cattle Show” was held on October 23, 1823, in Chardon, and lasted just one Accordingday. to a history of the fair at www. geaugafair.com, rail pens were built on Char don square for livestock, while agricultural and domestic products were exhibited in the old log “Premiumscourthouse.were awarded for the best ex hibits in each class, among them were awards for the best: bull-$10 to Eleazer Hickox; heifer-$8 to Edward Paine; buck-$6 to Lem uel Punderson’s Administrator; ewe-$6 to Edward Paine Jr.; piece of woolen cloth-$6 to Mrs. Sophie Howe; piece of bleached lin en-$5 to Mrs. Catherine Kerr; table linen-$4 to Mrs. Alice Beardslee; grass or straw bon net-$4 to Miss Caroline Baldwin,” the record reads. “Agricultural society president Judge Peter Hitchcock, later Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, gave the public address at the 1823 fair.”
Geauga Boasts Oldest Continuous Fair in Ohio
The location of the county fair alternated between Burton and Chardon, with at least one held in Painesville prior to the 1840 split with Lake County. Since the establishment of per manent fairgrounds in Burton in the mid-1800s the fair has been held there continuously.
metrocreative
• Think about safety. Fairs attract thou sands of people and that can lead to confu sion if children become separated from their parents. Write your mobile phone number down and put it in your child’s pocket or bag, so he or she doesn’t have to memorize it. Consider finding the tallest attraction at the fair (perhaps the ferris wheel), and make that the meeting point if anyone becomes lost. Snap a photo of youngsters when you arrive so that you’ll have a recent image and know exactly what they are wearing if you need to engage law enforcement. Some parents tell their children to find another parent and ask them to help them contact thesecurity.week and into the weekend, weekdays are likely to be much less crowded. Also, while not ideal, a cool day or one with a slight driz zle will cut down on crowds and improve the ability to see more things and get on more rides.
August 2022
County fairs, state fairs and country fairs dot the landscape in late spring, sum mer and fall, offering fairgoers plenty of attractions and rides to fill warm days and evenings. Families who plan ahead for the festivities may be able to improve their ex periences.•Purchase passes in advance. Some fairs enable visitors to purchase entry tickets, parking passes and even game vouchers on line. There are advantages to doing so, such as bundling discounts. Buying tickets in ad vance also cuts down on time spent waiting in line.•Devise a basic plan. Look over the list of attractions and activities to gauge what you want to get out of the fair. Some fairs post their calendars online. With kids in tow, you’ll likely want to check out any children’s rides or animal exhibits and interactions. Create a generalized plan, but be flexible, especially when going with other families.
Prepare for a Family Day at the Fair
The global pandemic that has upended daily life has exacted a toll on many indus tries. Businesses have been asked to close or temporarily scale back operations, while or ganizers of recreational gatherings have been tasked with reevaluating the practicality and safety of annual events. Throughout the United States and Can ada, autumn fairs, exhibitions and activities provide revenue for many people. But due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, many of these annual events have been postponed, adversely affecting local agricultural indus tries as a result. Governments in certain plac es have responded to the cancellations and offered assistance to local farmers and agri cultural industries. For example, the Prov ince of Ontario is providing nearly $1 million to assist organizations that had to cancel fall events due to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to supporting such efforts, the gen eral public can pitch in to help offset some of the financial losses accrued by local farms.
• Check for virtual events. Some fall fairs or livestock events have been moved to the digital realm. That means competitors who were entering livestock or even home crafts into competitions can still participate. Orga nizers may ask for videos or photos of entries and then a committee will vote on the win ners. This is one way to keep entry fees and even cash prizes moving along.
• Support local farms or orchards. Fall is harvest season in many areas, making this a popular time of year to visit nearby farms and to purchase fruits and vegetables directly from the source. Many farms have implemented safety protocols that align with COVID-19 health recommendations to safely welcome visitors. Things may look a little dif ferently at orchards and farms, but smaller crowds and wearing masks should not com promise the fun of picking your own foods.
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• Explore farm-to-table. Private individu als as well as restaurant owners can develop relationships with area agriculture producers to increase the availability of farm-to-table offerings. Restaurants can revamp menus to include a greater share of items sourced from nearby farms. Individuals also can rely on produce stands and farmers’ markets to stock their pantries. Some farms may offer delivery and mail-order as well.
• Offer financial services. Financial ad visors can help farmers who are struggling with finances work through their options. In stitutions may be able to extend the terms of loan repayments, refinance loans, restructure debt, or get credit extensions. Lower interest rates have created some new opportunities farmers may not be aware of. Financial advi sors can help farmers navigate an uncertain financialFarmerstime.and agricultural organizations are facing greater challenges as fall fairs and other events are being canceled. The public can support agriculture in different ways to offset the financial losses stemming from the pandemic.
How to Support Local Agriculture this Fall metrocreative
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New Family-Friendly Tiger
Blaszak, a third generation animal train er, and his mother, Ada Smieya-Blaszak, are fully devoted to preserving these magnificent creatures for many generations to come, and use their show to excite and to spread a con servation message about protecting tigers. Internationally-acclaimed, Brunon is helping to ensure that people will continue to love and learn about these beautiful big cats.
Comes
A new family-friendly tiger show comes to the Great Geauga County Fair in 2022 on Friday, Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. at Midway Stage 1. Brunon Blaszak is a third generation tiger trainer and has been performing with Suma tran, Siberian and Bengal tigers his entire life.Watch these incredible cats walk the tight wire, perform choreographed leaping and jumping and dancing that will leave you amazed and delighted!
According to Blaszak, Tigers once occu pied most of Asia, south into India, China Su matra, Java, and Bali. Some subspecies of tigers are completely extinct and those that remain are threatened with extinction because of poachers hunting them for their hides. Show to the Fair
staff report VARIETYATTRACTIONS.COM
Patterson Follows Family Tradition in Farm Bureau
See OHIO FARM BUREAU Service to the community and to Farm Bureau is a time honored and respected tradition in the Patterson family. Jim Patterson, left, served as president of the Ohio Farm Bureau from 19851989. Jim’s mother, Iona (in the held photo), served as a women’s trustee from 1967-1979. stammen ohio farm
By kelli milligan
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“It has been very inspiring to see live stock come back to the farm,” Patterson said. “My great grandparents had an egg route back in the 1950s and now the next gener ation is bringing that similar tradition back to the farm. Our eggs, lamb, chicken and turkey are sold in our market.” He recently married Kristin and, together, they have four children, Sam, Jack, Campbell and Parker. All four children are active in 4-H, a tradition that runs deep for their families. “People love it,” he said as he looked over at the customers watching their children play on custom playground equipment outside the
And that, too, is a tradition.
Patterson • Page A25
Bill Patterson vividly remembers taking a class at Ohio State University that fit in per fectly with where his life in agriculture has led “Whathim. I most remember from school was a specific business and policy course,” said Patterson, who went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics. “It wasn’t what was taught in the course but how it was packaged.”Howpolicymakers could influence busi ness and vice versa was fascinating to him and would pave the way for the rest of his ca reer in agriculture. Fast forward a couple of decades and Patterson is now the 25th presi dent of Ohio Farm Bureau, as well as co-own er of Patterson Fruit Farm in the northwest corner of Geauga County, along with his brother, Dave. On roughly 150 acres, the farm raises apples, strawberries, peaches and produces maple syrup. Their agritourism operation includes a farm market, bakery, fall fun fest, pick-your-own apples, strawberries and a wed ding venue. They also wholesale apple cider throughout northeast Ohio.
Patterson has been a member of Ohio Farm Bureau’s state board since 2011, serv ing as the organization’s first vice president for the past five years and previously serving as treasurer. He also served on the Farm Credit Mid-America Board of Directors for 12 years. He is a 26-year member of Geauga County Farm Bureau.
Patterson’s father, Jim, helped spear head the pick-your-own movement in the 1970s, noting that anyone can bring food to the people, but he wanted to bring people to the food. Today it is not only a hallmark of Patterson Fruit Farm, but also a large part of the business and a family tradition for many throughout the area. The farm, part of which has been in the family for more than a century, is just one of the cornerstone traditions the Pattersons have embraced over the years. Service is an other, specifically service to the community and to Farm Bureau in particular. Farm Bureau Family Farm Bureau is woven into the fabric of the Patterson family.
“It was ingrained in us — be a part of the community and the community will be a part of you,” Patterson said, noting that in his family Farm Bureau is revered as vital to the contin uation of their livelihood. “It is singlehandedly responsible for letting us do what we want to do, so we have to give back to the organization.”
Bureau
Patterson’s grandmother, Iona, served as a women’s trust ee on the state Farm Bureau board from 19671979. His father, Jim, also served as president of the organization from 1985-1989.
Even after the rotator cuff tendon has been repaired back to the humerus bone, optimal success from the operation is not achieved unless there is true biolog ic healing of the tendon back down to the bone. This is a process that occurs very slowly over time thus explaining the need for strict protection of the shoulder follow ing Patientssurgery. are placed into a specialized sling which they are expected to wear for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. The sling can be removed for bathing and changing clothes and for appropriate physical thera py, but no purposeful, active movement of the shoulder is permitted as this can com promise the healing process. The optimal approach to physical therapy following ro tator cuff repair remains a topic of ongoing research without widespread consensus. Most research favors a very slow progres sion of therapy, with a brief period of com plete rest followed by several weeks of pas sive movement of the shoulder where the patient does not assist in the movement of the arm. Over time active lifting of the arm is permitted followed by a program of strengthening.Towatchavideo of Dr. Parsons perform ing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair visit www. ohioshouldercenter.com.
What the People Want Give the people what they want, not what you think they want. While this isn’t exactly a mantra, this is what constantly goes through Patterson’s mind as he takes visitors through a tour of the farm, which is on two separate properties in the county. The farm market and wedding venue are on Caves Road but the strawberries, apples and fall fun fest are about a mile away on Mulberry Road. During the tour, Patterson readily points out various places where changes have been made because the farm team put themselves in the mind of their customers —from having employees knowledgeable about produce at the customers’ beck and call, to building one more slide to accommodate visiting kiddos to the fall fest each autumn. In some respects, it’s not that different from what Farm Bureau does for its mem bers, with members leading the way. “Farm Bureau is about relationships,” Patterson said, noting that relationships with industry peers, commodity groups and poli cymakers is vital, but there is one group that forges the path. “We are a function of the counties and their members. With the coun ties we are one Farm Bureau, not the state. We exist to serve them.”
While the organization has gone through a transformation in its membership base, Pat terson said the members that are today’s foun dation are “strong supporters of what we do.”
Building a Strong Ohio Farm Bureau Organization
Q : I have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear and surgery has been recom mended. What size incisions can I expect and what is the recovery time?
What to Expect from Rotator Cuff Surgery
Eric M. Parsons, M.D., Ohio Shoulder Cen ter forLakeArthroscopyOrthopaedic Associates, Inc, 36060 Euclid Ave., Suite 104, Willoughby, 440-94210509500 Mentor Ave., Suite 210, Mentor, 440352-1711, www.ohioshouldercenter.com
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A : The technical aspects of rotator cuff repair involve placing small screws in the upper portion of the arm bone (humer us) where the rotator cuff tendon normally attaches. The screws are called suture an chors and are made from a special form of biodegradable plastic that the body will nat urally absorb over time. The suture anchors are armed with high strength sutures that are then placed through the torn tendon, and through a variety of pulley-type tech niques the tendon is returned back to the bone at the location of theTheanchor.advent of arthroscopic techniques has provided improved access to the rota tor cuff using small instruments with the assistance of video technology, allowing for treatment of the rotator cuff through a few tiny incisions without trauma to the overlying deltoid muscle. In addition to reduced pain from the minimally invasive nature of the surgery, arthroscopy affords the surgeon greater visualization of rotator cuff tear patterns as the arthroscope can reach places that are not easily seen with open surgery. Today, virtually all rotator cuff repair surgery is performed through arthroscopic techniques.
farm market on Caves Road. “It gives them a farm experience they otherwise wouldn’t have.” That is key to everything the family does at Pattersons. “We want to make sure that anything that our customer wants to experience on the farm can be provided to them in some form,” he said.
Building a strong Ohio Farm Bureau orga nization for the broad spectrum that make up the members of today, and will make up the members of tomorrow, is key to the future success of Ohio agriculture, he said. Being able to tackle the issues facing farmers — tax es, regulations, broadband, water quality and much more — is going to take that custom ers-first/members-first approach. “We want to make sure (we’re) working together for Ohio farmers to advance agri culture and strengthen our communities. So we need to work together with everybody, whether they’re members or not,” he said. “Those issues that we have, we need to have everybody at the table. When we look at the issues of water, the issues of broadband, we need to be bringing everybody together. We also need to also be identifying what’s the next issue that we’re going to face. Working together is what formed us in the very be ginning, 102 years ago. And that’s been our strongest strength.”
Eric M. Parsons, M.D. Health Talk
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Location: Small Grandstand Registration opens at 11:00 a.m. RULES: The contest is open to any adult or child who enters a hen or rooster at 11:00 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for both hen and rooster winners. The winning hen and winning rooster will compete for an additional prize. Chicken must be brought to the fair grounds in a fresh coop made of either wire or slats and coops must be identified as to ownership.Please bring your papers to show that chickens are tested for Pullorum. Your chickens can be tested Wednesday, 5 - 8 p.m. at the Poultry Barn. Flights will be made from a pole high perch and distance measured from starting point to Limitedlanding.toknown chicken breeds or mix es. Decisions of judges are final.
Thursday, September 1, 12 p.m.
VIA WWW.GEAUGAFAIR.COM
Location: Bill Plants Pavilion Sponsored by Geauga County Farm Bu reau & Geauga County Fair Board. Contest run by Buckeye State Pedal Pullers: http:// www.buckeyepedalpullers.com.Letyourchildrenjoininthe fun and com pete to be the strongest puller! Kids ages 3 - 11 compete in their own age groups.
PRIZES: 1st class - $10.00 2nd class - $8.00 3rd class - $5.00 Chicken Flying Contest
PRIZES: Grand Champion winner: $50.00. First place: trophy and $25.00 cash for winning hen and rooster.
Kiddie Tractor Pulls
The Great Geauga County Fair Chicken Flying Contest takes place Thursday, Sept. 1, in the small grandstand.
RULES: Anyone can pull with our 12 and over competition - challenge friends and family to see who is the toughest puller! Frog Jumping Contest
Monday, September 5, 2022, 3 p.m. Location: Indoor Arena Registration opens at 2:30 p.m. One dollar ($1.00) to each contestant who enters a frog in the contest.
See Contests • Page A27
The Great Geauga County Fair 2022 Contests
Apple Pie Day Contest
Saturday, September 3 Public Auction 1:00 p.m. All proceeds are used to make our fair the most beautiful in Ohio! Open CompetitionNo prior entry required. Class 1 - 24 years and under Class 2 - 25 years to 50 years Class 3 - 51 years and over RULES: Must be made with fresh apples (only apples). Two crust pie required. No purchased, ready-made crusts. Must be baked in a disposable, 8 or 9 inch aluminum foil pan only (no metal or glass pans). Reminder: Aluminum foil pans require approximately 15 minutes longer cooking time. Past Grand Champion winners are eligi ble for competition after 3 years. Bring to and enter at the Domestic Arts Hall 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Satur day.Winners will be announced on PA system. Apple pies will be sold during a public auction at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday held at the Vernon Howard Band Pavilion. All proceeds to benefit the Auxiliary Fund. All winners will be given their awards during the public auction. Pies judged and sold at judge’s discretion of quality.
Monday, September 5, 2022
RULES: Frogs to be entered in the contest should be transported and held until jumping time in a suitable closed container (properly bedded down on wet grass or other suitable material). One frog per person. Contestants must be 18 and under. Frog can compete one time. Frogs will start their jumps from a desig nated starting circle.
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The Great Geauga County Fair Kiddie Tractor Pulls, left, run Monday, Sept. 5, in the Bill Plants Pavilion. The annual Frog Jumping Contest takes place Monday, Sept. 5, in the indoor arena.
PRIZES: First place: $30.00 Second place: $20.00 Third place: $10.00 BEAT THE WORLD RECORD! $250 to the person whose frog breaks the world record jump. World Record is 32 ft., 3 in. made at Cape Town, South Africa on January 16, 1954. Great Geauga County Fair Record is 14 ft., 8 in. Rooster Crowing Contest Sunday, September 4, 2022, 4 p.m. Location: Small Arena Registration from 3-3:30 p.m. RULES: Participants should bring roosters in cag es which may be covered until the contest begins at 4 p.m. Only one rooster will be permitted per cage.No other bird may accompany competing bird during the contest. A judge will be assigned to each rooster to tally the number of times the bird crows in 15 minutes after cages are uncovered.You may leave top of cage covered during con test.Rooster may be of any breed, any age. Provide papers proving roosters have been tested for Pullorum. Pullorum Testing: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. August 30, 2017 in the Poultry Barn Limit: 2 birds per owner. Owner to furnish cages and covers. Suggest that cage be twice as tall as rooster.
BEAT THE RECORD! An extra $5.00 for the first-place bird if he crows more than the Great Geauga County Fair Record of 49 times.
PRIZES: Awards will be made for bird crowing most times in 15 minutes as follows:
August 2022 Geauga County Maple Leaf & Middlefield Post
Diaper Dash Contest
Sunday, September 4, 2022 Location: Junior Fair Building Registration from 2-2:45 p.m. The cutest competition you will see at the fair! Watch as parents plead with their babies to arrive at the finish line first. Not the fast est competition but sure to make you ooohhh and ahhhh (and chuckle) as you cheer on the dashers to the finish line! There is no cost to participate, just a dia per full of "Dashers"fun! should be 8 – 13 months old and have a will to crawl NOT walk to their way to victory. "Dashers" placed into heats by age - listen for names to be called for each heat!The winners of each race will crawl away with a Sponsoredtrophy. by The Great Geauga County Fair and the Junior Fair Board.
First$1.00ThirdSecond$15.00-$10.00-$5.00foreachbird that is entered.
Did You Know? County fairs might be all about fun, but they’re also great for local econo mies. A team of economic analysts affil iated with the University of Minnesota Extension found that every dollar invest ed in county fairs provides a return in spending of $4.43. That’s a significant economic boost that can be especially valuable to communities looking to re bound from difficulties related to the pandemic.Theanalysts surveyed both vendors and fairgoers, asking each about the strategies that were effective and those that weren’t. The analysis also deter mined that the popularity of county fairs remains high, as 90 percent or respon dents indicated they were satisfied with their fair. The distance each frog jumps will be measured on a straight line from the starting point on the pad to the point the frog lands on the 3rd Decisionsjump.ofthe judge will be final. Owners may nudge frog to start first jump.Owner may not touch frog at any time thereafter until jumping is completed. Warning: Any frog found to have been ar tificially stimulated will be positively disqual ified.Area Frogs Only. No Imported Varieties.
Page A28 August 2022Geauga County Maple Leaf & Middlefield Post
