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2017 LOGAN COUNTY FAIR
LINCOLN DAILY NEWS
July 30 - August 6, 2017 Page 25
Heartland Beef Association, and a fully involved
4-H parent. On this evening he was present as one of
the volunteers who did the make-over of the barn.
As the group gathered for a picture, Maske and
the others took the opportunity to speak to the
volunteers and express appreciation for their hard
work.
Maske talked about the many visitors who come
to the Logan County Fair and those who claim
ownership of the fair and the fairgrounds. He noted
their value, but said that the real value came in those
who are the “care takers.” He said he was addressing
this group as care takers who invest their time and
efforts into the fair and the fairgrounds each year.
He said they were valuable to the fair and to the
community.
Maske went on to talk about the success of the
Logan County Fair, and how our fair and fairgrounds
are one of, if not the nicest and cleanest fairs in the
state. He said that while the visitors, and sometimes
even those who claim ownership, are the ones who
will drop their trash on the ground fair week, it is
the care takers who will walk by and stop and pick
it up, because they care and want our fair to be the
cleanest and nicest in the state.
It was also mentioned that having the building kept
in good order is particularly important when the
fairground is located right in town. Many people live
around the fairground, thousands drive past it, and
the impression left with those folks needs to be a
positive one.
Maske concluded saying that the Logan County
Fair is strong and successful, and it will be for
years to come. He said that he wanted to see the
Logan County Fair and the fairgrounds in place for
future generations so that those there on Thursday
would be able to enjoy seeing their grandchildren
participate in fair events.
Kurtz also spoke, talking about the financial benefit
of the work that had been done. He noted that like
many other entities within Logan County, the fair
has been negatively impacted by the State of Illinois
financial woes and budget crisis. He said that dollars
the fair should have received were not, and the
likelihood that the money will ever be recovered
from the past is next to none. He said that the fair
and the fairground needs people like this group who
give, and give time and again, and he wanted them
to know that it is greatly appreciated and never goes
unnoticed.
Bruns was the last to speak, “How great is it that
everyone helps!” Bruns went on to say that the
fair cannot keep on going without the people who
invest their time and volunteer to do anything that is
needed. Bruns talked about when he was younger,
when someone would say something needed done
at the fairgrounds, he would gather up people and
materials and get it done. He said that the volunteers
had a heart for the fair, and that people love to come
because it is such a great fair, and it is thanks to the
people who work to keep it nice. He ended saying,
“Thank you all…and keep paintin’!”
Maske and Kurtz also had additional comments
after the photo. The men talked about the work that
is being done by the fair board. Painting is going to
be done in the exhibit barns behind the grandstand.
Some new asphalt has been added, and of course, the
new shower house and restrooms were constructed
last year by the livestock barns. Much of what the
fair board is able to accomplish comes from funds
earned through the Logan County Fair Foundation.
Maske told the group that every year, the board
spends that money for fairground improvements. He
said he wanted everyone to know their donations
to the foundation are not sitting in a bank account;
the money is being put to work, to make our Logan
County Fairgrounds a well-kept facility.
Those on hand Thursday evening included Cole
Baker, Marcia Bregar, Keri Anne Short, Marc Short,
Marcia Short, Melissa Short and Herman Schwantz.
Other volunteers not available for the evening
included Dan, Amy, and Reed Naughton, Bruce
Davis and Carissa Akpore.
The 81st Annual Logan County Fair opens on
Sunday, July 30th with the Downstate Classic
Harness Racing and will run through Sunday, August
6th.
[By Nila Smith]