Message from the Executive Director
Dear Federation of Fair Members: The Spring Fair season is in full swing and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you…. Few people (unless they are in the Fair business) know what Fair
time really
means in terms of personal commitment. You basically give up your “life”
for six
weeks and “live and breathe the Fair.” And while the build up to the Fair is intensive the days of the Fair are a whirlwind of excite- ment and non-stop events and challenges from sun up until way past sundown. Only those of us that have been through it know how exhausting it can be. But in light of all that, your time and commitment makes an im-
pact on your community and the lives of so many youth that can never be measured. And for that – it is all worthwhile and we turn around and start over again for next year with the goal to make it even better! My “hat is off” to all of you for your dedication to this industry! The Convention and Zone II meeting will be here soon and I hope you will all attend - the opportunity to learn and share is unlimited! A special thanks also to all our Associate Members for their con-
tinued support of our organization. Our goal is to better our indus- try by working hand in hand. Hope we see you at the Convention – Zone II Meeting!
Lisa Hinton Come along with me………………continued
were available for any photo opportunities. I was supposed to visit my good
friend Dan West in Manatee County after my DeSoto visit, but the weather in Palmetto was just as freezing…so we decided to meet at 1:00 pm the next day even though the Fair didn’t open until 5:00 pm. The weather was now balmy and beautiful with the sun start- ing to deliver a radiant heat. As we walked through the very
clean and
manicured areas of the Fair, all I could notice were the various and very diver- sified food
booths...that’s because I think of food 24/7. Unable to taste the salmon or the steak made me woozy from food desire and I was left with only imagining myself sitting at one of the well atoned picnic tables. The deco- rated Hay-Bale competition was one of the best I had ever seen and the Arena left me jealous that we don’t have a similar facility in Jacksonville. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see the Manatee County Fair in action this year, but I will definitely go back next year… with an empty stomach! In early February, Lisa Hinton and I ventured out on a 330 mile, 12 hour “jaunt” to visit both the Charlotte County Fair and the Highlands County Fair in one day. We had the opportunity to meet Kam Mahshie, Manager of the Charlotte County Fair, and spent a great afternoon walking the grounds and tasting some of the local food specialties. The Char-
Dan West and Gayle Hart at the Manatee County Fair.
Charles Panacek, Belle City Amusements, visits with Gayle Hart at the Charlotte County Fair.
lotte County Fair was certainly a “WOW”! What beautiful grounds and a great layout. We also had a great visit with Charles Pana- cek with Belle City Amusements. If you ever get a chance I cer- tainly encourage you to make your way down to Port Charlotte and visit them. Our “jaunt” took us through back roads and rural Florida to the Highlands County Fair. By now it was already late, well after dark, and a little cold so we took a quick walk through the Fair and tracked down Richard McClain. Richard is a past Federation President who has stepped in to help the Fair through a staff change. As always, visiting with Richard was a delight! We had a wonderful visit with him—discussing old times and catching up with his new adventures. Richard took us around the Fair and introduced us to practically everyone we passed including Fair President George Whitehead. By now it was late so we said our goodbyes and headed back for Tampa. It was a great day visiting some great Florida Fairs! I hope to
visit many more Fairs before the Convention rolls around and my term as President comes to an end.
Kam Mahshie, Manager of the Charlotte County Fair & Gayle along the tree lined road of concessions, entertainment, and exhibits.
At the Highlands County Fair: Lisa Hinton, Richard McClain, Gayle Hart, and George Whitehead.
Great visits to some of our GREAT Florida Fairs…...
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