What kind of community-loving commitment does it take to make the Greene County Fair happen – year after year after year? Why not ask the managers?
“Our fair and the fair in Crawford County are the only two in Pennsylvania that are county-run,” Commissioner Jared Edgreen told me when I asked. “All the others are managed by separate organizations. So it’s up to us to make it great. When we go to the state fair convention [Pennsylvania Fairs and Showmen Convention] in January, we’re some of the only commissioners there.”
“The planning that goes into making a fair happen is its own amazing world. We go and learn from every one. This year was pretty exciting – we met ‘The Fair Chick’ Marla Calico [President and CEO of International Association of Fairs and Expositions]. Marla inspired us to change things up a little with scheduling, move things around to make it a fresh experience for the fairgoers. We’re keeping the tradition in novel ways while leaving room for new ideas to emerge for the future.”
When the fair board reorganized this year in January, commissioners Edgreen, Betsy Rohanna McClure and Blair Zimmerman knew they had something old and traditional, along with something new and exciting. New members recruited from the community ready to bring their expertise and enthusiasm to the table joined the commissioners, President Carol Adamson and Treasurer Courtney Hoy Hursey for a new year of action plans. Tammy Brookover was installed as secretary, and County Parks and Recreation Director Bret Moore took on the added role of Fair Manager. Pam Marisa, Molly Henderson, Kelly Morris, and Scott Hackenburg now make up the rest of the 11-member board.
“Our board members are in their zone and working on their specialty – they’re the experts.” Commissioner McClure said. “Our goal this year is to be bigger, better – and different. I feel we’re pulling together to honor the fair traditions that everybody loves and move forward to bring more of what people of all ages want today. Giving back to the community is critical and the willingness to share is absolutely at the top of the pile.”
“We’re getting the 4-H Horse and Pony Club back with a pre-fair rodeo on Saturday, like we used to have when I was in 4-H!” committee member (non voting) Greene County Chamber of Commerce director Melody Longstreth is very happy to report. Longstreth’s assignment since 2021 is the fair queen program. When the commissioners went to Harrisburg in January, so did Longstreth and others who accompanied 2023 Greene County Fair Queen Adysan Kern and Jacktown Fair Queen Marissa Tharp. Kern and Tharp were there to compete for State Fair Queen against more than 50 county queens from across the Commonwealth, with big points given for poise, confidence and the ability to respond to impromptu questions about everything – including agriculture.
“These are the skills that will last a lifetime,” Longstreth said. “We fair queen promoters from this corner of the state support each other. When Erica Teagarden of Washington County was chosen State Fair Queen 2024, I couldn’t tell who was cheering loudest! She’ll be joining us Monday for meet and greet when the Greene County Fair opens.”
During Fair week, board members will be everywhere they are needed, from taking tickets at the gate and parking duty to announcing winners and helping the fair’s newest events happen, Edgreen said.
“We’ve had many hurdles to clear, but with everyone working together with one mind and one voice, we think we put together a fair week that is bigger, better than ever. We’ll see you there – at the Greene County Fair!”
