Fair Enough
Community involvement is at the core of a successful fair. The best county fairs in Michiana are successful because they have integrated the community into their activities. When visitors go to the fair, they see not only the 4-H'ers but also local businesses, civic groups, nonprofits, churches, schools and even firefighters and law enforcement. Their representatives march in the fair parade, hand out free goodies in the commercial building and sponsor the grandstand events.
With the involvement of these groups, the fair becomes a community event.
Over the years, I've noticed how some county fairs make this happen. They invite the movers and shakers from the community to be part of the fair board. They also reach out to law enforcement, attorneys, customer service professionals and skilled workers. They offer them a seat on the fair board, and these folks serve as liaisons between the fair board and their respective industries. That's a smart idea if you want to have a big fair with hundreds of thousands of people.
Here are some examples:
Need Main Street to be closed for the fair parade? It helps to have the police chief or county sheriff serving on the fair board. Deputies are also needed to direct traffic in and out of the fairgrounds.
How about a biosecurity plan for the thousands of animals at the fair? It helps to have a veterinarian serving on the fair board.
What about logistics? Fairs rely on experts in that field to make sure food and beverage deliveries, electricity and other services are provided.
Some fairs have a medical office on the fairgrounds. This is a place to bring someone with a medical situation. Having a physician on the fair board helps the fair be prepared for those situations.
Not all county fairs want a lot of people pouring through the gates. About 10 years ago, I spoke with a fair board member who said that their fair board wanted to have a family atmosphere—no carnival, no grandstands. They didn't want large crowds. As he put it, the fair is for the 4-H'ers and their families.
As I've said before, fairs are a reflection of their respective communities. If the leaders want to keep things simple, I applaud that.
Regardless, if you want a small fair or a large one, it's wise to invite people from the greater community to serve on your fair board. Doing that will increase your fair's impact in the community and aid in educating non-farm leaders about agriculture.
The more people involved in planning the fair, the more the excitement and anticipation in the community. That's a great thing to have.