The Scoop - August 8, 2016
Posted by Heather Rutz on Aug 09, 2016
The new fair manager previews the Allen County Fair.
Bob Fricke understands why you love the Allen County Fair: He loves it too.
Fricke, newly tapped as the Allen County Fair manager, spoke with the Lima Rotary Club Monday, sharing what’s new this year and what he’ll always enjoy about the event.
“I love to talk about the fair, because I love to talk about things I’m passionate about,” Fricke said.
An Allen County native, Fricke met his wife through 4-H. His favorite part about the Allen County Fair remains the Junior Fair, “a chance for our youth to shine,” he said. The Junior Fair includes 1,200 exhibits. It is the main reason the fair board made the decision to move the annual Fair Parade to Aug. 14, before the fair begins. That will allow Junior Fair participants to participate in the parade, Fricke said.
The Allen County Fair draws more than 200,000 people. By comparison, the other off-season events at the Fairgrounds draw 250,000 people.
World championship rodeo returns for its second year, along with a pioneer demonstration from Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District. Nelly and Rascal Flatts will perform in the Grandstands, and there will be plenty of free entertainment as well, Fricke said.
Fairgoers will see an LED lighting upgrade, renovated speed horse barns, expanded wi-fi and a more level campgrounds. HCF Management Inc. is adding a shuttle service to the parking. Also, with the help of state funding and the Allen County commissioners, the fair board has purchased new bleacher seating to expand the capacity at the Grandstands.
And, then there’s the food. There will be 90 food vendors there, and Fricke guaranteed plenty of things fried and wrapped in bacon.
Fricke also mentioned Rotarian, Allen County Commissioner, former fair manager and farmer Jay Begg, who is being inducted into the Allen County Agricultural Society Hall of Fame.
Also on Monday:
The club celebrated anniversaries, including Bill Timmermeister’s 42 years in Lima Rotary Club. Timmermeister went on to give an update on the Lima Rotary Scholarship program.
Starting with the next round of 10, the scholarship will increase to $1,000 for every recipient. The program was started in 2001 by a group of past presidents charged with creating a program that would create a lasting impact on the community. The group created a scholarship program for non-traditional students attending local colleges and universities. The scholarship began as $500 and increased in 2005 to $750. Since the creation of the program, the club has given 845 scholarships totaling $580,250. It is funded with a voluntary charge on dues and the annual Rex Perry Golf Outing.
Allen County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Theresa Schnipke received her blue badge.
Club President David Frost reminded the group that the club is walking in the Labor Day parade. See Demi Burden for details.
The Lima Rotary Club Foundation presented a $3,865 grant to Lima Symphony Orchestra for three education and outreach programs: the Kidstuff program in partnership with the Lima Public Library, Young Peoples’ Concerts for school-age children, and tickets for clients of Marimor Industries.
