By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Laura Westgate may be new to the role of Wood County Fair manager, but she is not new to the Wood County Fair.
Growing up in Bowling Green, she–then Laura Friess–was not a 4-H member, but her family was involved in the open class entries at the Fine Arts Building at the fair for as long as she can remember.
She has always loved the sense of community that encompasses the fair each year and is eager to have a hand in the main event that brings thousands of people to the fairgrounds. She also envisions becoming more active in outreach for the fair and fairgrounds with a goal of expanding the reach beyond Bowling Green and to other communities in the county.
Westgate has seen the value of the fair for her own children as well as the many youths who have been in the Klassy Kids 4-H club that she advises. Three of her four children–Lilly, Maddy and Hunter–have been involved in the junior fair. The oldest, Alyssa, gained her leadership skills through the pageant system, but Lilly, Maddy and Hunter all have benefited from junior fair activities. Lilly, now in college at the University of Findlay, and Maddy, studying to be an audiologist, both participated in 4-H, junior fair board and were members of the Honor Court. Hunter is a high school freshman who is active in 4-H.
When the position came open, she thought about it and talked to some of the fair board directors who encouraged her to apply.
“They told me that I know so many people in the community and know the fair, at least from the outside looking in, that I could be a great fit. I think I can make a difference, and that’s why I’m here. I hope I can help everyone go forward.”
She brings strength in communication and public relations to the job. “Those will be key for this position. Coming into it with a friendly face is a big deal and getting out into the community will be important,” Westgate said.
She and Kathy Panning Thomas, who was hired to assist in the fair office, are just starting to gain an understanding of what tasks need to be done.
Currently, they are wrapping up year-end reports and working with fair directors to finalize plans for the 2023 fair. With direction from the fair board directors, Westgate hopes to bring back some of the traditional fair activities and free entertainment, such as a fair band, jugglers and fair acts throughout the midway.
The plans for the fair are director-driven through committee work, but everyone works together. She and Thomas are often tasked with helping finalize details, in addition to organizing the camping and running the facilities behind the scenes.
“The directors are so good about being open to ideas and suggestions,” she said.
Westgate hasn’t had as much time to do the outreach to the greater community as she had hoped, but that will come in time, she said.
“I’m so fortunate to have Kathy here. She has been incredible and has had some experience helping with open class entries during the summer,” and she also has a good understanding of the fair since her two sons were involved in FFA and junior fair when they were in high school.
Westgate is excited to be a part of this year’s fair, which happens to be the 150th Wood County Fair. “Who doesn’t want to be a part of that?” she said.
