August 1, 2017
County Fair Time
County Fairs are an opportunity for our youth to showcase their accomplishments. To show and educate others on what they have learned in their projects. It is also an event where the whole community gathers for fun, excitement, and comradery. For many citizens, this is their main connection with Extension and we want to make a good impression and encourage them to visit and explore all that Extension can do for them.
The last three weeks, I have had the greatest opportunity to visit agents at their county fairs. To see them in action; solving problems, offering advice, orchestrating activities and soothing shattered nerves. Their performance was encouraging to me. I was impressed with their positive attitudes and enthusiasm that carried over into the youth’s behavior as well. I saw youth unselfishly encouraging other youth that they were competing with. I saw 4-H members competing in their first fairs and being so excited to win a ribbon. I sat with a girl who had just shown for the last time and shared how much she is going to miss this and would give anything for just one more year. I visited with groups of families who were camping out at the fair and this was their summer vacation. These devoted parents were enjoying watching and helping their children to grow and learn from their participation in the fair.
Agents introduced me to county commissioners and board members attending the fair. It was encouraging to hear them talk with pride about their Extension unit and their 4-H youth.
At some fairs, not all things went as planned, not all exhibitors followed the rules, not all parents were happy and cooperative and not everyone got along. I did experience a little of this also. Most of these conflicts were easily resolved with education on the rules and calm understanding individuals. However, for those conflicts that escalate and continue, a plan needs to be in place. One key in these conflictual matters is to have a grievance plan. If someone feels they are not being treated fairly, they can write a formal grievance and submit it to a grievance committee. Having this procedure in place allows all parties to be heard. Sometimes when the person is required to write down their complaint, they cool down and think it through and decide it wasn’t that important. The issues raised need to be addressed after the fair in your evaluation and solutions for next year.
Executing a county fair is no small feat. It requires cooperation between the Extension staff, volunteers and your local fair board members. Building a good working relationship together is crucial to the success of your fair.
It is with great pride and appreciation that we congratulate our agents, office professionals, volunteers, and fair boards on the job they have done to make their county fairs successful or will in the coming weeks.