By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The elephant ear stand at the Wood County Fairgrounds will be transformed from a food stand to a covered shelter for this year’s fair.
The Bowling Green Christian Academy for many years operated the food stand to sell the popular crispy, cinnamon and sugar-covered fried bread as a school fundraiser. The school has not sold the elephant ears for several years.
At the May Fair Board meeting, Director Brock Abke, reported no businesses or organizations were interested in renting the building during the fair.
The elephant ear stand, which is located near the Administration Building, already has a covered concrete pad with space for tables. The fair board approved plans to remove the sides and turn it into a covered shelter area with picnic tables. They will tear out the kitchen area in the building, level out the concrete, and enclose an electrical panel that can provide power as needed.
The roof is fairly new and the trusses are in great shape. “It will look really nice,” said Paul Perry, second vice president.
Kathrens Insurance has agreed to give $5,000 toward the renovation project in exchange for naming rights for five years, Perry announced.
Elephant ears are still on the fair food menu, sold by one of the concessionaires. All the concession sites are full for the 2024 fair, Perry said. New this year are Scotty’s Subs, Deet’s BBQ, Tamale Guy, and Wood Fired Pizza.
Camping registration policy
James Grant questioned the Fair Board’s policy about camping spots. He’s been camping during the fair for 11-12 years in the same spot.
He got busy and did not renew his spot by the end of February, which is the deadline for existing campers to reserve their same spaces. When he called the fair office to see if he could still reserve his spot, he was told if he was in line on the first day of open registration, he would be able to get the camping site.
“I arrived at 6:30 in the rain and when I was ready to register, I was told the spot had been taken and not by the person in front of me,” he told the board. He learned a fair board member had requested the site, which is permitted per a new written policy.
“I don’t understand if the policy changed why weren’t we notified on something other than Facebook? I’m not on Facebook except to see my grandkids. I don’t feel that was right,” he said. “I just wanted to bring it to your attention.”
After further discussion later in the meeting, the board voted to offer Grant the opportunity to reserve the campsite.
Also during the meeting, the board:
– Agreed to allow the Northwestern Ohio Tractor Pullers Association to complete the fence project around the fairgrounds at their cost. At a previous meeting, Dave Schultz, NWOTPA president, asked the board to pick up the fencing costs for an area that is on the fairgrounds rather than on the association’s property. The board indicated the project did not fit into their budget this year. Because the project is a priority for the pullers, they decided to cover the fencing for the fairgrounds’ section.
– Heard there are 20 candidates for Junior Fair Queen and 18 for Junior Fair King.
– Approved $22,000 for fair advertising including $10,000 for radio, $7,000 for digital and television, and $5,000 for print, banners and signage.
– Learned the Fair Books are printed and will be distributed to various locations throughout the county, including the Fair Office.
– Heard the Commercial Tent will be located near the Champion Barn, on the north side of the sidewalk. “We’ve tried the tent in multiple locations, including near the grandstand, but we can’t pull people to that side of the track,” said Perry.
