4 • The Beacon October 6 , 2022
Opening ceremonies held at the Coshocton County Fair
By Marianne Austin
Coshocton County Fair is
“ Tthe best fair in the state , as we all know ,” said Mark Fortune , host of the opening ceremony for the fair , which was held in Hunter Arena on Sept . 30 .
The event began with the national anthem , the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer offered by Bob Buxton . Fortune introduced honored guests : Kevin Miller , state representative for the 72nd District ; county commissioners Dane Shryock , Gary Fischer and Rick Conkle ; and Mayor Mark Mills .
Mike Woodward , senior fair board president , presented opening remarks . “ Forty years ago my dad and I pulled in the fair with a pickup truck and a 30-foot horse trailer packed full of my stuff for my first 4-H show . Back then our family showed horses . When I say we showed horses , we stayed with four or five county fairs , three state fairs and 25-30 haul-in shows . It was standard for me to bring only one calf to a fair . It was my 4-H project , and nothing was going to stop me . I remember like it was yesterday , my family and 4-H advisors were so proud that I went out of my comfort zone of showing horses and completed my feeder calf project . It didn ’ t matter what place I got ; I had fun .
“ I wanted to show at the fair again and again , and it was awesome . I know these kids today are just as proud to show their projects , and they are making memories just as I did . If you know my family , nothing has changed in 40 years . We still show horses all over the U . S . and Europe . Now we have added turkeys , ducks , goats , and it still holds a special place in our hearts . And it means so much more when we can show at our county fair in front of our friends and family . We would win some and lose some . We were making great memories with everyone . As a 4-H advisor and fair board president , I am so proud of all the exhibitors that get out there and do their thing . I will always do as much as I can to support them . I wish the best of luck to all this year ’ s exhibitors in all of your competitions .”
Woodward thanked Britton McCoy and Conner Webster for representing the county across the state this year . “ They have both done an outstanding job being ambassadors for our county ,” Woodward said .
He thanked ODA , Montgomery Foundation and the Coshocton Foundation for their assistance with the pavement project and the fair board directors and all of the junior fair board and advisors , the FFA , and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for working together to present the 171st Coshocton County Fair .
“ Also , thank you to the House of G A Fisher , The Garden Patch , Mary Lou Schwartz , Linnets Flowers , Jane Waters , our MC Mark Fortune ,” Woodward said .
Rick Williamson , partnering with the Jon Ianniello Agency , presented the Community Service Award to Debbie Gaumer , and the Friends of 4-H Award was presented to Sarah Jane Lindsey .
The opening ceremony also included the crowning of the 2022 queen and king , Josey Richard and Drew Tumblin .
Richard is a very busy River View High School senior . She is president of the National Honor Society , a member of the student council and secretary of her class . She is a 12-year member of Keene Kountry Kids 4-H Club , where she is currently president , secretary of the junior fair board and a two-year 4-H camp counselor . She is a 15-year member of Miss Jennifer ’ s Dance Studio and is part of the competition team . She also is employed at a business in Roscoe Village and has a small business with her sister . Richard said she is honored and very excited to be chosen queen .
Tumblin thanked everyone for coming . He is a senior at River View and attends the Coshocton Career Center . He has been in FFA for four years and has been to the Coshocton County Fair every year of his life . He is a four-year letterman in cross country and track
Marianne Austin
Sarah Jane Lindsey won the Friend of 4-H Award .
and a one-year letterman in swimming . He went to leadership camp from the Ivy League Foundation for two years and got his animal science certification . He is active in FFA , Earth Day and Ag Day . For his 4-H project , he likes to show dairy cattle .
“ I want to gain more knowledge of the ability to speak in front of large crowds , to represent my title at other fairs and show them what it means to be from the Coshocton County Fair ,” Tumblin said .
Conner Webster , last year ’ s king , said , “ It ’ s hard to believe that one year ago I was standing right over there waiting for the results
to come back . There were four of us running for king , and it just took forever . I was at McDonald ’ s , and I thought , ‘ Tomorrow is my last day as fair king ,’ and I reminded myself of bawling my eyes out because I didn ’ t want to go to my first 4-H meeting . But now 10 years later , it was one of the best decisions my parents ever made for me . I have done so many things , from going to the state fair , earning a trophy in public speaking , completing my speeches to become a master speaker . When I had the opportunity to run as fair king , it was a nobrainer . When I was crowned fair king last year , I didn ’ t realize the endless opportunities that it would give me .”
Britton McCoy , last year ’ s queen from Magic Makers 4-H Club , said , “ Tonight is not only the end of my reign , but it is the end of my 4-H career . When I think about my experiences in 4-H and how I have grown as a person , it is breathtaking . Sometimes I wonder who I would be without 4-H . This organization has truly had an impact in helping to shape me into the person I am today . 4-H has given me the greatest opportunities , as well as the greatest memories that will last a lifetime .”
The queens court included Brieanne Hughes , Abigail Lorenz , Cayla Shrimplin , Emma Ward and Kyra Weaver . Also vying for king was Trace Davis .
Drew Tumblin and Josey Richard , center , are the 2022 fair king and queen . The queens court includes Brieanne Hughes , Abigail Lorenz , Cayla Shrimplin , Emma Ward and Kyra Weaver . Also vying for king was Trace Davis .