Fair time right around the corner

NORWALK — Rain, rain, go away, don't come back until ... after the Huron County Fair. Fair Director Bob Morgan hopes that will happen, but he's been around long enough to know better. Morgan, now in his 36th year on the fair board, said things are falling into place for the annual fair, which is set for next week (Aug. 15-20). Move-in day is Sunday. "Pretty good, I guess. It's all falling together," Morgan said. "We had a meeting Thursday night and said 'what are we forgetting, boys?' We have all of the big things covered." Morgan said it is all of the little things, people don't think of. "We had somebody going around Saturday looking for bees," he said. "You look in the electric boxes and places like that. That is something you don't think about. Everything is looking good ... keep the rain out. "I hope this damn humidity goes away." The area on the north side of the fairgrounds was cleared earlier this year, but Morgan said he's not sure if it will be usable space next week. "It's probably going to be too fresh," he said. "If it stays dry we will be able to park on it. We want to get it seeded so we can use it to park on next year." What will be done with the space? "We have a lot of options," Morgan said. The board met last Thursday and also rescinded a motion that gave the OK for a new building on the fairgrounds. County commissioners heard a report on July 27 on the progress of the planned Huron County Fairground building honoring the Feichtner family. At that time, Roger Hunker, a member of the Feichtner Memorial Charitable Fund Committee, and long-time family friend, went before the board to detail plans to erect the structure. The building, estimated at $1.4 million and designed at 23,000 square feet, is to include an open main space of 100x200 feet, with an outside lean-to. The lean-to will put under roof an area for exhibitors to store tack and other items, Hunker had said. Hunker detailed that the buildings currently used for hogs, chickens and rabbits will be torn down after this year's Huron County Fair and that site preparation activities for the new building will begin in the fall. Construction is anticipated to begin next spring. After having had time to absorb Hunker's information, the board questioned the validity of establishing the building's plans, without putting the project out for bid, as the state of Ohio requires for all county construction projects of $50,000 or more. Hunker said the Huron County Fair board had approved the plan, based on the assumption that the action was prequalified because the building was sourced through Sourcewell, a state-approved community purchasing program. "We're still in limbo on this," said Huron County Assistant Prosecutor Randy Strickler, who advises the board of commissioners on legal matters. Strickler and the board expressed their continued support for the project, but said that the matter must be properly implemented. "I understand they want to get it done," said Strickler, adding, "It's got to be done right." Board Vice President Harry Brady echoed Strickler's comments. "I'm all about doing it, but I'm about doing it right," he said. Brady also questioned the plan's proposed timetable, noting that the destruction of the existing structures might be premature, given the tenuous nature of construction completions. Brady said that if the old buildings are gone and the new building is not completed on time for the 2023 fair, the results could be disastrous. Hunker said the committee and board have also considered slowing their approach. "We're checking on stuff as to what we have to do," Hunker said. "Half a million (dollars) of public money," Morgan said. "We rescinded that motion Thursday night. Do things a little differently. "Not right now," he added. "It still might happen, but there are still some I's to dot and T's to cross. Once we tear those buildings down we are committed. Still working on it. It will be a great addition. It has a lot eyes on it now." Back to this year's fair, Morgan talked about the grandstand entertainment. • Monday — pig scramble • Tuesday — Christian singer Matt Maher • Wednesday — OSTPA tractor pull • Thursday — motor cross • Friday — rough trucks • Saturday — demo derby "We have the Christian music on Tuesday," Morgan said. "This guy is supposed to be a good singer. You always want to see (the presale) go better. But the online sales have been good. What you hope for is good weather for a good walk-up crowd." The pig scramble is a new grandstand event this year. "That's been a big thing. It's a lot of fun," Morgan said. "We have had it in the Wilson Barn and it outgrew it so we moved it out front. Little kids chase pigs and catch them and keep them. It's pretty comical. It's fun to watch." The "No Vacancy" sign is up at the campgrounds. "They are all full. We could use more," Morgan said. "The new ones we put in last year (on the west parking lot) filled up last year and they are full this year. You can never have enough camping spots for the fair. You can always use more." The count-down is officially on. "We have a pot-luck dinner Saturday night for all of the people working on the fair," Morgan said. "We are working on getting bids for the livestock stales. Always last-minute details to work on. We think we've got everything. The thing of it is, if we forget, most people don't realize it ... we just make do with it. "It starts getting hectic Saturday and Sunday. Come Monday you have to roll with the punches. "Sunday is move-in day. Everything has to be in place by 11 or 12. The horses come in after that then the hogs come in later in the evening when it is a little cooler. They weigh them when they come off the trailer, so it is a little slow. "It's still hectic, no matter what." There are 31 directors on the fair board — one from every township (19) and 12 at large. Everybody is on a three-year term and a third of the board is us for vote each year. Morgan said he is proud of the work the directors put in every year. "Everybody should come out and enjoy the week," he said. "Everybody compares us to Lorain County all of the time. How big and how good Lorain County is. Huron County has a population of about 60,000. You know what the population of Lorain County is? 312,964 according to the 2020 census. That's five times more than us. "There is no comparison. Lorain itself is bigger than Huron County. They just have more people to choose from. We do good for our little county."