Logan County Fair 2022

2022 LOGAN COUNTY FAIR LINCOLN DAILY NEWS JULY / AUGUST 2022 Page 9 Generally there are around 75 to 100 people who are in attendance for the meal and it is a great “family get together” to end the day. Again, there is a lot of work that goes into getting a show like the sheep show underway and successfully concluded at the end of the day. John Coers said there are around eight official volunteers who help with the show, but it is really a group effort that involves everyone there to make it good. In addition to the three superintendents, official volunteers include spouses Annie, Erin and Mindy who keep the books and classes straight, and Steve and Pam, who oversee the success of the meal. The fair is a tremendous amount of work for every superintendent, every fair board member and every staff person from the Logan County Fair organization and from the University of Illinois Extension. Without all these people, we would not have a fair, and without their devotion and best efforts it would not be as good as it is every year. So, why? Why do people give so much of their time and their heart to something that comes along only one week a year and then is gone? While John and Annie Coers were the ones who answered this question specifically, it stands to reason that the answer they gave is a reflection of what each volunteer or staff member feels. “All this is done for the kids,” said the couple. “We are all about making memories and since we have “spiced” up the show, the kids remember.” The Coers’ also explained some of the other things they do to make it more about the kids and promoting the community feeling of the fair. “We are constantly asked in weeks before the fair what John was going to have them do to get the lil’ gift that we provide to the 4-H sheep participants. It is usually an “info” hunt, like a scavenger hunt, only the kids have to go around the fairgrounds and find out who won visual arts, who is the queen, name a cattle or swine exhibitor, and so on. It helps them to get out and see other areas of the fair that they may not have taken an interest in before. We have given gifts like T shirts, thermal cups, Indian blankets, etc. We just want the kids to have fun and want to come to the fair or at least take an interest. I believe we have achieved that and look forward to it ourselves every year. To us, we feel it means more to them to be a part of something and to look forward to it from year to year.” John concluded with a personal note, “We have raised sheep for over 40+ years, and dad raised them long before that. We have a vested interest because it is our passion. We have seen what our children have gained from it. Whether it be responsibility, talent, or friends from near and far, they have something to remember as well as what they have achieved or gained from raising and showing sheep. So Thursday of the Logan County Fair is where the action is. We encourage all to check it out!” The above are all valued and important to what makes the Logan County Fair great. There are many paid and volunteers who work hard and with passion to help others have a great fair experience. We hope you will see the efforts put forth and find some pleasure attending our Logan County Fair too. [Nila Smith]