Florida Fair News Indian River County continued


vendors. At the same table was longtime partner Touch of Class Cleaners who provided “Lost Kid Tags.” Here, parents filled out neon col- ored tags with the child’s name, age and the guardi- an’s cell phone number. This was then tied to the child’s belt loop or another part on their clothing. If the child was to get separated from the guardian, security or oth- er staff members could assist in locating that guardian. Our indoor exhibit building housed 40 local and regional


vendor spaces that were available for the public as they strolled through this air conditioned facility. Old Florida Bonsai provided demonstration and educational classes during the Fair each Saturday and Sunday. Florida Broadband was on site providing free Wifi access to visi- tors. All proceeds from this event benefit the Indian River


County Burn Fund, Local High School Scholarships, Fair Ground improvements, other various charitable organiza- tions, and for the benefit of Public Safety. The Vero Beach Firefighters Association in cooperation with the Indian River County Fair Board has sponsored this event since 1980. We wish to THANK all our corporate partners, Fair volunteers, committee heads, the Indian River County Administration, all Indian River County 4-H Youth and


Parents, as well as our visitors for making “Their Fair” possible. Next season,s 10 day event is scheduled for March 13th – 22nd, 2015 and is themed “All Directions Lead To Fun.”


INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — For 19 consecutive years, Toby


Turner stood at the gate of the Indian River County fairgrounds, on every single night of the Firefighters' Fair at closing time. As general manager of the Fair, Turner said watching attendees leave the grounds with smiles on their faces was his biggest re- ward. For over a decade prior to his 19-year stint as manager, Turner


waved to Fairgoers as they filed out in car loads from the parking lot. In fact, Turner has been heavily involved in the Firefighters' Fair since it's inception in 1980. Though this year's exceptionally successful Fair will not be the


last Turner participates in, he will be passing his general manag- er torch and all of the responsibility that goes with it off to for- mer concessions manager Wayne Howard. “He's been with the program for a long time and is a Lieuten-


ant with the Fire Department,” Turner said of his successor. “He has the managerial skills, business skills and leadership skills it takes.” But when asked if he thought Howard was ready to take on the


massive task, Turner laughed and said, “Ready? I don't know if anyone can be ready. He'll figure it out when he gets started.” Turner's long-standing assistant manager Rod Johnston is re-


tiring from his position at the Fair as well, turning his title over to Steve Graul, a former committee member, board member, and Indian River County native who grew up attending the Firefight- ers' Fair. “This is a bittersweet end for me,” Johnston said of his Fair


retirement. “I really, thoroughly, enjoy doing this. We may get 25


four to five hours of sleep each night, our feet may hurt, knees hurt, and back hurt by the end of it, but what we're able to give back to the community makes it all worth it.” Howard and Graul say they are both prepared to pick up right


where Turner and Johnston are leaving off. The group of four worked tightly together for years up to this point. And, this year in particular, Howard and Graul shadowed their predecessors in order to soak up everything they could. “I don't think you can ever say you're really ready for some-


thing like this,” Howard said. “But there has been a lot of learn- ing for me. We have a great team working with us and that's all we can really ask for.” According to Turner, planning usually begins eight to nine


months before opening day of the Fair, making the event a near- ly full-time responsibility. Even though each year brings changes and adaptations to the Fair, Turner said it has been his top prior- ity to keep the event family friendly. “Toby's shoes are big ones to fill,” Graul said. “But Wayne and


I will work together to continue what Toby has done, and build in areas that we can.” He added that the focus on keeping the Fair family friendly and


community oriented will not change just because the baton has been passed. Turner and Johnston are leaving their leadership positions on a


high note. The first Saturday of this year's Fair smashed every record in the event's history attracting more than 9,000 people. The prior record was around 6,100, according to Turner. Even though they will be able to kick their feet up a little more


often in preparation for next year's Fair, Turner and Johnston both said they will still be involved. But as the lights went out at the Firefighters Fair this year, Turner was able to say he was happy to hand over the reigns.


The Firefighters’ Indian River County Fair held March 14th – 23rd was a time for the


past general managers to gather and reminisce. Here in the photo are (L-R)…Bill Tripp the Fair’s first manager from 1980 to 1988, next is Joe Earman who held the position from 1989 – 1995, George Weston Jr. manager of Strates Shows carnival midway who made it all happen 27 years ago bringing Strates onboard to support the Firefighter’s Fair as their midway provider and current Fair manager Toby Turner who has served from 1996 to present. Coincidently, George and Toby retire this season from their respective roles.


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