The Adams County Agricultural Society is putting the last minute coat of paint on buildings and roof tops around the fairgrounds but the main focus this year is the grandstand.
A substantial donation from the Jack McCoy Family and McCoy Lumber Company have opened the door for a complete renovation on a much aging and deteriorating grandstand. Workers have started the process of tearing out the benches, replacing header boards, replacing floor boards, railings and much more.
Realistically, the grandstand will not see its final completion until late in 2015 or early 2016, but for the 124th Adams County Fair, a large middle section will be completed so citizens will be able to see what the finished grandstand will look like.
The Fair Board will once again hold a Grandstand Bonanza this year in order to continue raising funds for the completion of the grandstand and then electrical upgrades, much needed bathroom repairs, fencing and other needs.
So much of the grounds were in terrible condition and now that a clear vision is in place, repairs and renovations can be managed on an annual basis in order to restore the grounds entirely in the next five years.
The First Adams County Fair was held in 1888 and a nice hat has been created this year that features the outline of Adams County with lettering that reads “Adams County Fair” with 2015 stitched on the bottom of the county. “EST 1888” is stitched on the side. The hats will be given as Senior Fair Board awards for the Car Show Winners, the Motorcycle Mania Show, Adams County Born and Raised and various dirt track races.The hats will also be for sale in the newly restored Paging Booth for $10.
If you are thinking the math doesn’t add up for the 124th Adams County Fair, since the first one was in 1888, then you are correct. There was no fair for three years during World War II.
The Paging Booth was the original Adams County Agricultural Society Board Office. Paging will be available each day of the Fair from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Prices for paging will consist of one page for $1, one day of paging for $5 and the entire week for $25.
New windows have been donated by Adams County Lumber along with private donors and labor donated by John Chamblin, Cornerstone Remodeling. Many other people have helped to transform this building back to its original state. Corbett Phipps and Donnie McCarty are working on a counter and bench with help from Randy Mack and the East Tiffin Aggies 4-H Club. Painting is being completed by community workers and fair board members and signage is being provided by Jeff Roades.
Next week will feature new events coming to the 124th Adams County Fair.
