24 • The Beacon New Bedford Merchant Days May 12 , 2022
Roahrig named Concession Manager of the Year
By Jen Jones
The Great Ohio Showman ’ s Association chose Tom Roahrig as the Concession Manager of the Year recently .
“ I was attending the District 8 fair meeting in Zanesville . We had supper and few speakers , and an award was presented . Then my friend stood up with another plaque and said that he had another award for Concession Manager of the Year . It was quite a surprise — a very humbling feeling to figure that out of 88 county and independent fairs , it was me . It is quite an honor .”
Roahrig said being Concession Manager of the Year was something he strived to be , but he didn ’ t chase it . “ I just always wanted to do my best ,” he said .
Roahrig has been the
concession manager for the Coshocton County Fair Board for eight or nine years .
“ Since childhood I only remember missing one Coshocton County Fair , and that ’ s when I was in basic training . It ’ s just always been a part of my life — the excitement of the fair as a child , the excitement of 4-H . Then it was what ’ s after 4-H ? And Peggy ( his wife ) and I started doing the pony rides . Then I was on the fair board and then the concession manager , and now we are starting another adventure selling kettle corn . I just have this big passion for the fair , and Peggy understands that . I ’ m lucky .”
The concession manager is in charge of inviting , placing and overseeing all food and other
vendors at the county fair each year . Everyone who is selling something
Submitted
The Great Ohio Showman ’ s Association chose Tom Roahrig as the Concession Manager of the Year recently .
is part of Roahrig ’ s job , whether it ’ s a midway food vendor or someone
selling blankets under the grandstand .
“ Twenty-plus years doing the pony rides , I ’ ve met and dealt with a lot of concession managers , some really good ones and some not so good . I picked up a lot of what makes the good ones good just by dealing with them . I try to make everyone happy — the fair board and the vendors — but it isn ’ t always possible . So I do my best to make sure everyone is treated fairly ,” Roahrig said .
Roahrig said his job gets really busy about two weeks before the fair , but by Saturday afternoon , it turns into a monitoring position . “ Just little problems to handle here and there ,” he said . “ The few days leading up to the start , my phone dies early in the day because I ’ m using it so much .
“ I have some goals I want to do . As long as I ’ m in good health and am having fun , I ’ ll keep doing this . I really do enjoy it . I enjoy seeing the rewards and doing the best I can for everyone . The best is to see the happy faces at the fair .”
advertise with us !
call now to see your business here !
740-622-0244 ext 7701
NEW BEDFORD DAYS SALE Hours : Mon . - Fri . 7:30-8:00 • Sat . 7:30-3:00
1ST PRIZE $ 150 gift certificate
PRIZES
2ND PRIZE $ 100 gift certificate
10 % OFF
3RD PRIZE $ 50 gift certificate
ON ALL STOCK ITEMS
EXPRESS DELIVERY AVAILABLE Bikes • Headlights • Accessories
BIKE CHARGING STATION AVAILABLE
Sales & Service New & Pre-Enjoyed
33946 SR 643 • Baltic , OH 43804 ( In New Bedford ) • 330-600-2689 regular hours : Mon . & Wed . 7:30AM-7PM , Tues . & Fri . 7:30AM-4:30PM , Thurs . 12PM-4:30PM , Sat . 7:30AM-11:30AM
BF-31278