Longtime fair photographer named to hall of fame

A Concord Township man who has helped document the Lake County Fair through photographs for more than three decades has been inducted into the fair’s Hall of Fame.

According to the Lake County Fair Board, Ed Krause for years would take a vacation from work to spend the week at the fair as its photographer. According to the board, which inducted Krause at its July meeting, Krause would typically start early in the morning and take pictures all day. He would briefly return home for dinner then head back to the fair until closing.

Krause said he likes seeing the people around the fair and likes to see the kids’ projects and their competitions

“I like taking pictures and I like helping out,” Krause said.

According to the fair board, Krause is known for his “impromptu, surprise photos.” Much of his work is used in the fair’s advertising and publicity efforts, winter newsletter and annual fair book.

“His most prized shots can often be seen on the cover of the annual fair book and have helped Lake County to be recognized as having the best Fair Premium Book cover in Ohio, 15 years running,” the fair board stated in a news release.

Krause said he first started taking photos at the fair as part of its photography contest. One of his fondest memories of the fair comes from this time, when

he won “Best in Show” in the photography competition.

“Since then I’ve dedicated a lot of time trying to help out, taking pictures for them each year,” he said.

Another memory that stands out for Krause is Johnny Cash’s headlining appearance at the Lake County Fair in 1993. In addition to taking photographs, Krause said he also got to meet the country music legend and get his autograph.

Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 fair is proceeding as a modified Junior Fair Livestock

exhibition only. Krause will be formally inducted on July 26, 2021, opening day of next year’s fair.

“Ed Krause has been and continues to be an important contributor to the ongoing success of the Lake County Fair,” the fair board stated. “He is a true Friend of the Fair and a worthy candidate for the Lake County Fair Hall of Fame.”

Krause has been the fair photographer for 31 years and is continuing to document the fair.

“I still do it every year and I enjoy it,” Krause said. “It’s not like work.”

Krause