Opening ceremonies held at the Coshocton County Fair

Drew Tumblin and Josey Richard are the 2022 fair king and queen. (Marianne Austin)

“The Coshocton County Fair is the best fair in the state, as we all know,” said Mark Fortune host of the opening ceremony for the fair, which was held in Hunter Arena on Sept. 30.

The event began with our National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer offered by Bob Buxton. Fortune introduced honored guests State Representative for the 72nd District Kevin Miller, County Commissioners Dane Shryock, Gary Fischer, Rick Conkle and Mayor Mark Mills.

Senior Fair Board President Mike Woodward presented opening remarks. “Forty years ago, my dad and I pulled in the fair with pickup truck and a 30 foot horse trailer packed full of my stuff for my first 4-H show. Back then our family showed horses. When I say we showed horses we stayed with four or five county fairs, three state fairs and 25 to 30 haul-in shows. It was standard for me to bring only one calf to a fair. It was my 4-H project, and nothing was going to stop me. I remember like it was yesterday, my family and 4-H advisors were so proud that I went out of my comfort zone of showing horses and completed my feeder calf project. It didn’t matter what place I got; I had fun. I wanted to show at the fair again and again and it was awesome. I know these kids today are just as proud to show their projects and they are making memories just as I did. If you know my family, nothing has changed in 40 years. We still show horses all over the US and Europe. Now, we have added turkeys, ducks, goats and it still holds a special place in our hearts. And it means so much more when we can show at our county fair in front of our friends and family. We would win some and lose some, we were making great memories with everyone. As a 4-H advisor and fairboard president I am so proud of all the exhibitors that get out there and do their thing. I will always do as much as I can to support them. I wish the best of luck to all this year’s exhibitors in all of your competitions.”

Woodward thanked Brett McCoy and Conner Webster for representing the county across the state this year. “They have both done an outstanding job being ambassadors for our county,” Woodward said. He thanked ODA, Montgomery Foundation and the Coshocton Foundation for their assistance with the pavement project, the fairboard directors and all of the junior fairboard and advisors, the  FFA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, for working together to  present the 171st Coshocton County Fair.

“Also, thank you to the House of G A Fisher, The Garden Patch, Mary Lou Schwartz, Linnets Flowers, Jane Waters our MC Mark Fortune,” Woodward said.

Rick Williamson partnering with the Jon Ianniello Agency presented the Community Service Award to Debbie Gaumer and Friends of 4-H award was presented to Sarah Jane Lindsey.

The opening ceremony also included the crowning of the 2022 queen and king Josey Richard and Drew Tumblin.

Richard is a very busy River View High School senior. She is president of the National Honor Society, a member of the student council and secretary of her class. She is a 12 year member of  Keene Kountry Kids 4-H Club where she is currently president,  secretary of the Junior Fair Board and a two year 4-H camp counselor. She is a 15 year member of Miss Jennifer’s Dance Studio and is part of the competition team. She is also employed at a business sin Roscoe Village and has a small business with her sister. Richard said she is honored and very excited to be chosen queen.

Tumblin thanked everyone for coming. He is a senior at River View and attends the Coshocton Career Center. He has been in FFA for four years and has been to the Coshocton County Fair every single year of his life. He is a four year letterman in cross country and track and a one year letterman in swimming. He went to leadership camp from the Ivy League Foundation for two years  and got his Animal Science Certification. He is active in FFA, Earth Day and Ag Day. For his 4-H his project he likes to show dairy cattle.

“I want to gain more knowledge of the ability to speak in front of large crowds, to represent my title at other fairs and show them what it means to be  from the Coshocton County Fair,” Tumblin said.

Last year’s king Conner Webster said, “It’s hard to believe that one year ago I was standing right over there waiting for the results to come back. There were four of us running for king and it just took forever. I was at McDonalds, and I thought, tomorrow is my last day as fair king and I reminded myself of bawling my eyes out because I didn’t want to go to my first 4-H meeting. But now, 10 years later, it was one of the best decision my parents ever made for me. I have done so many things, from going to the state fair, earning a trophy in public speaking, completing my speeches to become a master speaker. When I had the opportunity to run as fair king it was a no-brainer. When I was crowned fair king last year I didn’t realize the endless opportunities that it would give me.”

Last year’s queen Britton McCoy from Magic Makers 4-H club said, “Tonight is not only the end of my reign, but it is the end of my 4-H career. When I think about my experiences in 4-H and how I have grown as a person, it is breathtaking. Sometimes I wonder who I would be without 4-H. This organization has truly had an impact in helping to shape me into the person I am today. 4-H has given me the greatest opportunities as well as the greatest memories that will last a lifetime.”

The queens court included Brieanne Hughes, Abigail Lorenz, Cayla Shrimplin, Emma Ward and Kyra Weaver. Also vying for King was Trace Davis.

Category: People & Places