Fair board welcomes new member

WAPAKONETA — The Auglaize County Agricultural Society members welcomed a new member onto the board Monday during the regular monthly meeting.

Jacob Vogel will now represent St. Marys Township.

Fair manager Ed Doenges was holding the St. Marys Township seat and resigned that position so Vogel could be appointed after paying Agriculture Society dues on the spot.

Vogel said his interest came from being active in 4-H, a camp counselor and a 4-H volunteer.

“It’s just the next level getting involved with the fair,” Vogel said.

In other business, Doenges made board members aware he had a discussion with Auglaize County Veterans Service Director Rob Wiss about the Veterans Service offer to fund construction for new building that they would use exclusively during the week of the fair. The rest of the year the fair board could rent the building out.

Mark Ruppert was against the idea.

“We can hardly get along the week of the fair,” Ruppert said.

Building specifications have not yet been discussed; Doenges said he will continue to meet with Wiss to finalize a proposal.

Fair board members approved a contract for bleacher rental from the Turner family for four units for $6,400. Board members Steve and Kevin Turner stepped out during the discussion and vote. Board President Steve Bushman said competing bids were about 25 percent higher.

The cost of renting a modular trailer for the sale committee increased to more than $10,000 for the week of the fair. Fair board member Toby Lee suggested building something temporary for half the price. The board took no action.

Sponsorships will continue to be important as the fair board will need to accept a higher golf cart rental rate — at $700 per cart for the week. The board also saw slight increases in mowing costs and

the fair book contract.

Although the money isn’t counted yet, Ed Doenges said the reverse raffle brought in well over 2019’s haul of $51,000.

Fair board members also discussed moving toward digital ticketing and scanning.

Doenges said it was time to get serious about moving to a digital system; however, Lee said he sees more pros than cons, although they weren’t enumerated.

Other board members wanted to make sure cash would still be accepted.

Treasurer Dennis Dicke said he sees a need for more staff at the gate during fair week with or without a digital system.