OSWEGO — The Labette County Junior Fair Board continues to help make the Labette County Fair a success.
This year, the board has 16 youth members. Ava George is president, Lucy Pearson is vice president, Sierra Hill is secretary and Jaci Falkenstien is treasurer. In addition, Pearson, Hill, Brea Robison and Izabella Nash serve on the social media committee. Leigh Beeson serves as adviser for the Junior Fair Board.
She said in addition to events throughout the year, the junior board members work during fair week. As a fundraiser, the youth sell to animal exhibitors sawdust shavings for stalls and pens. This is made possible by the Bartlett Co-op, she said, which is a big supporter of the Junior Fair Board.
Another fundraiser is collecting parking fees during the demolition derby on the final Saturday of fair week. Money raised over the last four years has gone toward improvements at the fairgrounds, she said, including panels for the show ring, a new scale and helping with the large fans.
“They (large fans) make a huge difference. If we get lucky, we get good weather,” Beeson said.
During fair week, the Junior Fair Board buys Popsicles to hand out to exhibitors during the heat of the day.
The Junior Fair Board also puts on clinics during fair week to offer tips and direction to animal exhibitors, she said.
The junior board also has a dance during fair week that’s open to all kids.
The board also sponsors a high school spring beef show at the fairgrounds as a fundraiser. Participants come from the area, state and other states to participate. Last year, the event drew 60 participants.
“It’s a nice opportunity for the kids, and it’s local so they don’t have to travel very far,” Beeson said.
Some of the money raised also goes toward scholarships for junior fair board members.
“They are really a great bunch of kids,” Beeson said.
Labette County Fair Board president. Kayla O’Brien agreed, saying the Junior Fair Board members jump in and help with whatever needs done.
“They’re a huge, huge help. They’re just constantly doing stuff,” O’Brien said.
Beeson hopes the youth will return to Labette County to raise their families and remain active in the fair. Some who age out of 4-H and FFA will still come back in summers to help at the fairgrounds.
“The hope is that once they get to be young adults, they can come back and want to be on the fair board. Hopefully, it’s our next generation of fair board members that help with the fair. We just got to keep them coming back here for jobs and family, and it’s just a good volunteer activity when they come back, and something to do with their kids,” Beeson said.
