Fairgrounds buzzing with activity
Jennifer Gress works on setting up displays in the agriculture hall with her sons Gavin and Colton Gress. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Even before the fair starts the grounds are alive with excitement. Booths are decorated, barns are prepared for livestock, vendors set up shop, and competitors bring in entries they hope will win them a blue ribbon.
The Gress family has 72 entries in this year’s fair and 60 of them are in the ag hall. On Thursday, Sept. 26, Colton and Gavin Gress were busy helping their mom Jennifer Gress set up those items. Their favorite entries were in the potato and pumpkin creation classes.
“I like it because you can do whatever you want,” Gavin said. “I tried putting teeth on mine.”
He had a pumpkin entry and Colton’s was a potato. They also were excited about their chickens and eggs they were bringing to the fair.
“It’s fun to go get the eggs because you don’t know how many you are going to get,” Gavin said.
The boys said their family also had entries in the art hall.
“I can’t wait to see if we won anything,” Colton said. “It’s fun to go in and see what you get.”
Debbie Gaumer, superintendent of the agriculture department, was happy to see an increase in youth entries this year. She believes there were 20 entries in the pumpkin creation class and 22 for the potatoes.
“They are really cool to see,” Gaumer said. “I got the idea from another fair and it’s been a hit. Youth are what make this building.”
Another class attracting attention in the ag hall is the big squash competition.
“It seems like they are all coming from the Fresno area,” Gaumer said. “Neighbors must be sparking a competition.”
Jake Stiteler has won the friendly competition for three years, but Gaumer said there was one heavier than his this year.
At the other end of the hall members of the Coshocton County Herb Society were putting the finishing touches on two booths. One was a display just for their club that will be judged and the other was to provide education about herbs to the public.
“We want to educate the public, especially the younger generation, and get them involved with herbs,” said Reta Grewell, from the herb society. “Herbs are good for your health.”
The education booth will be manned by members of the club and give people the chance to sign up to join.
“Every farm family used to have their own herb garden in their kitchen,” said Marsha Duling, from the herb society. “That’s not as popular now and we want to encourage the use of herbs.”
Displays in the education hall also were almost complete with a few people buzzing around putting finishing touches on them.
“I like seeing all our hard work on display,” Jaelyn McGee, a senior at Ridgewood High School.
She and fellow senior Aleeah Cabot helped their teacher Carissa Dickerson finish the art department’s setup.
“My family always enjoys coming and seeing what is on display,” Cabot said.
Category: Multimedia, People & Places, Photo Galleries
