Henry’s Cindy Salisbury named 2023 Friend of Illinois County Fairs

Salisbury helped create the M-P fair’s annual Family Fun Night Shaw Local News Network

At the 112th annual convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs, volunteers were acknowledged for their service to agriculture, county fairs and youth and Cindy Salisbury of Henry was selected to be a 2023 Friend of Illinois County Fairs.

In the spring of 2011, Salisbury approached the board of the Marshall-Putnam Fair with the idea of a Family Fun Night during the fair. It was her dream to offer an event where local families could come to the fair and enjoy an evening of fun activities at little or no cost.

The annual Family Fun Night has grown every year since and the Marshall-Putnam Fair said it is “very lucky to have such a devoted volunteer willing to undertake so many roles to help promote agriculture.”

Salisbury donates countless hours of her time to the event, including canvassing local financial support, scheduling various activities, advertising the events and soliciting volunteers to supervise the happenings.

The event attracts hundreds of families from several neighboring counties each year.

“Salisbury’s energy is never-ending,” Marshall-Putnam Fair officials said. “Each year she brings back family favorites and adds additional attractions to reach more age groups. Her dedication and love for the fair keeps improving our family-oriented event yearly.”

Salisbury also often takes on the responsibility of designing and creating a float for the local Fourth of July parade to advertise the fair. She has organized workdays for the float and recruited volunteers to pass out fair information flyers along the parade route.

The Marshall-Putnam Fair Board directors hosted a surprise reception in Salisbury’s honor Feb. 4 at the fair office.

Rod Rumbold, M-P Board vice president, presented Salisbury with the IAAF award, an engraved glass cookie jar. The directors presented her with a floral arrangement and served desserts.

The Marshall-Putnam Fair congratulated Salisbury on receiving the award of IAAF Friend of Illinois County Fairs.