Volunteers at the fair enjoy seeing exhibits, visiting with people
Volunteers help answer questions, set up displays, and keep the art hall safe during the Coshocton County Fair. Pictured from left are Dorothy Dalton, Rhonda Rinehart, and Donna Rae Young. Photo by Josie Sellers
COSHOCTON – In less than 48 hours, the 167th Coshocton County Fair will commence with the opening of the gates on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 a.m., but the fairgrounds are already swarming with a team of people as they get ready for Friday’s grand opening. Rides are being tested, animals are being prepped for showing, and displays are being placed and finalized.
The Coshocton County Fair is a team effort presented each year by a group of dedicated people who have a passion for agriculture and for the fair. It takes a group of like-minded people to band together each year to make this fair happen.
A group of volunteers were helping to set up at the art hall on Wednesday, Sept. 26 in anticipation of the fair. Dorothy Dalton, Rhonda Rinehart, and Donna Rae Young are volunteering their time in the art hall this year to help people set up their displays before the fair.
“We take in exhibits and we assist the judges in scribing the results,” said Dalton. “Our job is to put up the displays and maintain them. Our big job is once the fair gets started, to monitor the hall and make sure people’s exhibits stay safe.”
Dalton has been volunteering at the fair since 2001 with Rinehart starting the year before. This is Young’s return to volunteering at the fair after caring for her disabled husband who passed away last summer.
“It’s fun to be back,” said Young. “I’m still involved with putting up the [Walhonding] grange display as well. My grandson is also in line for the fair king this year, so that will be fun.”
The three volunteers enjoy helping people to display their entries, but also look forward to the opening of the fair and seeing people come through the hall.
“It’s good to visit with the people who come through the art hall,” said Rinehart. “It’s also fun to watch the kids. They always have a ball, especially when putting in their exhibit. They always get excited.”
The three also reminisced about fairs gone by. Dalton remembers when she used to come to the fair as a child. She only got to come one day a year and it was always on Wednesdays.
“My dad used to say that people would put a sack of grain on the running board and that was your entry into the fair,” said Dalton. “That’s just hearsay though, but that’s what my dad always told me.”
She also remembers her first 4-H entry.
“My first year in 4-H, we did soups, salads, and sandwiches,” she said. “Harry Green was the judge that year and I remember I cried because I was so nervous.”
Young also remembers doing a project for the fashion shows that used to be held at the fair.
“I remember having a sewing project in 4-H and then we had the fashion show,” she said.
The three volunteers also field a slew of questions each year and are always happy to answer questions about the art hall, the exhibits, and the Coshocton County Fair.
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