Manager calls the 2009 county fair a success

I was very happy to see the ICA rodeo back during fair this year that is a thumbs up but having a DJ to try to replace the band was not a good idea. Normally we leave the rodeo friday and saturday night and head over to the dance. We did that this year but the DJ was playing ice ice baby and when i asked for him to play chris ledoux... he had never heard of him. RE THINK having a DJ next year.

I am the Fair Manager. We had a DJ this year because it was less expensive. Not sure if you noticed all of the improvements with the bathrooms and the property but capital improvements are expensive. I agreed that the music was NOT what we wanted so I called the DJ early Saturday morning and told him that he needed to play country. He said he didn't have a lot of country, so I told him that there was a WalMart in Mountain Home and to go buy some or not to come back. Saturday night was MUCH more country. I'm sorry you missed a live band but with the county budget, as they say 'ya gotta do what you gotta do'.

Oh, I forgot to thank Kelly Everitt for his review of the Fair. For your information Mr. Everitt, A 'Norman Rockwell painting of a moment frozen in time' is EXACTLY what we are going for in Elmore County. Seeing the children with thier animals is what THIS Fair is ALL about. I have told MANY people that I worked ALL year for the children to have a place to display thier animals and to give them the accolades that they deserve. A county fair IS all about the children and the farmers and the competition of it all. I feel like a HUGE success to be a moment 'frozen in time'. If you want the 21st Century, the State Fair is right down the road. But, if you want to see true down home, kids who put thier heart and soul into an animal or a project, parents and friends who couldn't be prouder of the responsibility and pride instilled in a child who works so hard all year, and a Fair Manager that is TOTALLY HAPPY with the way this years fair turned out...then next year, go to the Elmore County Fair. Where the COMMUNITY is what matters, not what the 21st Century demands!!

I spent many days down in Glenns Ferry during the fair. I can tell you, being my first experience with the everything that goes into a county fair, I was amazed. There were dedicated people working hard in 100 degree weather for these kids. Most people have no idea the amount of work that is done all year long. Shae did a great job pulling it all together. MaryAnn, our 4-H Assistant always goes above and beyond. The volunteers worked hard and all of them should be commended. This is Elmore County and we are an agriculture farming community. The fair is a time for the people of the county to come together and share their talents; show off their best and re-connect with each other.

When good-down-home Americans suffer through another year of terrorism from afar and within; of bad politics; the stress of the rising cost of living with an economy in trouble and negative news pushing down on us, we gather together and celebrate the traditions of our sacred values and enjoy the passage of time for a change at the county fair. There isn't a place in our country where you can't find one this summer! And though State fairs and big cities have more money and more carnival rides, vendors and bands; those are just perks. It is not what the county fair was meant to be.

There are always plenty of people who have alot of negative criticisms and think that they can build a better mousetrap, but as history shows, those people are not to be found when it's time to do the design work for that trap! Furthermore, if there are people who would like to contribute to helping put the next fair together, then show up to the meetings in order to give your support and talents. I'm sure that it would be appreciated.