Out Around the Barn

It is that time of year again and the work has begun.  The fair grounds are being prepared for the eight days of events that is about to take place here in Marion County, Salem, Illinois.  There is so much work to be done that if you are not involved in the process, you would never know how much work really does go into the actual planning. 

These members of the fair board meet once a month, all year long, to plan and prepare for just this event.  It isn’t like a month before and all falls into place, it takes time and planning to organize and arrange for every detail to work.  From my understanding, members have specific and different areas in which they plan their events.  For example, each event has a supervisor in which to oversee the details.  At the meetings, everything is discussed from the price of the event to the price of the tickets to be sold, rules are gone over and updated, any changes, layout of the fields for the events or any kind of promotions that need to be done.  Then come the day of the event, the supervisors oversee the preparations and get everything ready to go.

At the fair you get to see all the old and new models of farm equipment that has had an impact in our county and across the nation.  Farmers from all over bring tractors, new and old, in for the week for folks to view and watch when they are in an event.  Other equipment is brought also but, the tractors are a big attraction.

Same goes for the 4-H livestock shows.  There are those that cover this area as well.  Today is the day that they are setting up barns for the 4-H kids to begin bringing in their livestock projects.  There will be cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, maybe some chickens, dogs and even a kitten or two.  We usually always find a stray kitten left behind to bring home at the end of the week. 

Getting ready for these events takes a lot of hard work and organization.  Pens have to be set up, separate barns for the different breeds have to be readied, water supply must be working, areas for feed, hay and straw have to be made available, and of course, a place for all the owners to stay as well.  Then finding Judges to judge each event is a job within itself.  They must have knowledge and experience in the field that they are judging.

There is so much to get done, that it is hard to list every little thing, like making sure the vendors arrive on time, that plenty of food and beverage is available, that there is adequate facilities for the crowds and plenty of working restrooms. 

I am proud of our Fair here in Marion County.  Mr. Ron Wilkins, President, and all the members do an excellent job.  Come for a visit, you are sure to have a great time.

For more information on the fair and events go to www.marioncountyagfair.org.