Walhonding Valley Grange celebrating 50 years of displaying at the fair
Wayne Young is pictured working on the Walhonding Valley Grange display at the Coshocton County Fair. This is their 50th year of displaying at the fair.
COSHOCTON – Walhonding Valley Grange #1751 is celebrating its 50th anniversary of displaying at the fair.
“In 1969 there was a huge 4th of July flood and water got into the Monroe Grange building near Blissfield,” said Wayne Young, a longtime member of Walhonding Valley. “They decided not to put anything up at the fair that year. Albert Young, Charles Marlatt, Earl Cooper and LE Tarrh decided we would take their spot.”
The grange’s display hasn’t changed much over the years. It still features sheaves, fruits, vegetables, canned items and a variety of crafts including quilts, doilies and more. The goal of the display is to showcase the work of farm wives and items that come from local gardens and fields.
“We aren’t judged, but we are evaluated to make sure we meet the minimum requirements for our display,” Young said. “If you do that then you get your premium.”
Young grew up around granges and has fond memories of putting displays up at fair time.
“I remember one year we had a chipmunk that was going after the nuts,” he said. “It was running up and down and through the corn. Our biggest fear is chipmunks and mice getting in the display.”
Walhonding Valley Grange has 46 members and around 15-18 of them typically attend meetings.
“Not all of the items we display come from our members,” Young said. “This is a total community effort. We appreciate all of our friends, families and neighbors who have given items to us over the years to use.”
While 50 years of displaying at the fair is quite an accomplishment, this year also is a little bittersweet for the grange.
“We don’t own our own hall,” Young said. “The Newcastle Township does and there has been some talk of it being sold. That is still up in the air though. We have to talk to the trustees after the fair to find out more. Nothing is set in stone.”
If the grange does disband, they will merge with Tiverton Grange.
“They are the closest one in proximity to us and we already do a lot with them,” Young said.
Category: Clubs & Organizations
