Certifiably one of the best: 100th Holmes County Fair opens with dignitaries and proclamations

MILLERSBURG — As Auditor of the State of Ohio Keith Faber said while addressing the gathering of folks at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Holmes County Fair Monday evening in the Expo Center at Harvest Ridge, his office certifies things for the state, and he was in Millersburg to certify that the Holmes County Fair is one of the best fairs in all of Ohio.

Faber was one of many dignitaries on hand from the federal and state government to help celebrate the 100th Holmes County Fair.

"It was my honor to serve with your state legislators and representatives, who made it very clear to me just how important this county fairgrounds project is to your community," Faber said. "If our county fairgrounds (Mercer County) had suffered the trials and tribulations that your old fairgrounds did, we would certainly have wanted help from the state to help bring it up to speed.

"It was really the leadership of people like (former State Representative) Dave Hall and former State Senator Larry Obhoff, who made the difference for you," he continued. "If you see them out on the grounds, thank them for helping make this a possibility."

Congressman commends county fair

Congressman Max Miller, State Representative Darrell Kick, representatives from US Senator Sherrod Brown and Congressman Troy Balderson were on hand, as well as retired US Congressman Bob Gibbs and former State Rep Larry Obhoff.

"I'm here today to congratulate all of you on 100 years for this county fair," Miller said as he read a proclamation.

"In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Holmes County Fair, one of the few remaining fairs without open exhibition livestock shows. Instead, the focus is put on 4-H and FFA youth," Miller added. "Through education of modern agriculture and its history, you are able to inform and inspire Ohioans about the importance of agriculture to this great state. Congratulations on 100 years and I want to wish them another prosperous 100 years."

A five-minute video presentation about the history of the Holmes County Fair was presented on the large screen in the expo center, providing a wonderful lesson about dedication and perseverance.

Fair Board President Kerry Taylor thanked Bronson Allison of LiveMore TV who produced the video with the help of Holmes County Historical Society Director Mark Boley and his crew.

Allison said he was really excited to see people's reaction to his video, and was grateful for the opportunity to work on the project.

"I learned a ton about Holmes County doing this," he said. "There were a lot of struggles to make the fair happen over the years. I had no idea how much work went into putting on the fair every year. I thought the video was pretty cool and I hope everyone enjoys it and learns a little bit."

Boley added that it was a team effort the way it all came together, getting Mark Lonsinger to provide the soundtrack and Allison to put it all together.

A great celebration

"What a great event this is to celebrate 100 years," Kick said. "Watching that video was pretty amazing. For me, while I was working for Congressman Bob Gibbs, we got to watch this all happen. We got to watch the collaboration that was Holmes County all come together to make it happen. On behalf of the Ohio House of Representatives, I wanted to present a proclamation honoring this day and hope for many, many, many more."

Kick added that when he is out and about visiting other counties, they are all pretty envious of the fine facility Holmes County has put together at Harvest Ridge.

Taylor also thanked the Holmes County Commissioners for the bed tax dollars they have generously committed to the fairgrounds and a lot of things the board is doing, including the 100th celebration.

The 100th anniversary celebration also included a presentation of former fair kings and queens, along with recognition of former junior and senior fair board members and a couple nonagenarians, 91-year-old Jerry Strouse and 97-year-old Ruth Brenley were also recognized.

Strouse remembered having to swim his brother's pig out from the old fairgrounds because of a flood back in the 1936 or '37.

His daughter, Beth Crone, pointed out that her father hopes to be around for the next presidential election. Crone teased him, telling him maybe Donald Trump was going to be one of the special guests at the 100th anniversary celebration.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Auditor among dignitaries to commend Holmes County Fair