By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent CINCINNATI, Ohio — What is a fair without the involvement of 4-H? That’s what concerns fair officials in Hamilton County, Ohio.
This summer the Hamilton County Fair near Cincinnati lost $40,000 and drew just 6,500 visitors, its lowest attendance ever. Attendance at this fair, which started in 1955, has been spiraling downward slowly the past decade. Poor location and lack of agriculture in this county are the key issues.
Those involved in 4-H have had enough and have plans of abandoning the fairgrounds in pursuit of a more promising venue.
“I do not want (Hamilton County Agricultural Society officials) to think I’m trying to undermine them, but I’m trying to do what’s best for my (4-H) family,” said Tonya Horvath, Hamilton County extension director and 4-H youth development director.
“At this point, because attendance is so low, we need something new, something radical. The crowd doesn’t come through the gates, which is unfortunate because then, kids can’t demonstrate the hard work they’ve put into their projects.”
Since Horvath took over 4-H in 1996, the program has grown from 75 active members to 175. Participants belong to one of seven clubs, which do projects ranging from raising livestock to robotics.
“An advisory committee was formed and suggested this move,” Horvath said. “I was one who didn’t vote on the matter. We asked the Hamilton County Agricultural Society to move with us, but they’ve not responded. The 4-H motto is to ‘make the best better’ and that’s what we’re going to do. We looked at a lot of other options and it wasn’t our goal to make any waves.”
It didn’t take Horvath and other 4-H backers long to find a new home. The group plans on moving the 4-H’s annual demonstrations to Stricker’s Grove, still in Hamilton County but adjacent to Butler County. Stricker’s Grove is a private amusement park, which rents to corporations and church groups for events.
Horvath said tentative talks have 4-H leasing Stricker’s Grove for an amount that hasn’t been determined, but she expects the cost will be covered by gate fees or sponsors.
By relocating to Stricker’s Grove there will be a need for barns and an arena, things Horvath said will be built “from the ground up.” Stricker’s Grove already has ample restrooms as well as room for food concessions and rides. The move could be completed as soon as 2011.
“The loss of 4-H could cripple the already struggling event,” said Patrick Ekardt, director of the Hamilton County Agricultural Society, which puts on the fair. “It would make the county fair pretty much just a festival.”
The amusement park would allow 4-H to build an arena and other needed buildings, which Horvath estimated at $500,000, for which she would get sponsorships. The new fair would move from August to July, but would not have a Saturday date for the first year. Most likely, the exhibits would be under tents.
Stricker’s Grove owner Jan Praechter said he’s interested in bringing a 4-H fair to his venue, which is located in rural Crosby Township. “Nothing is concrete, but I’m hoping it’s going to happen,” he said.
Hamilton County Fair officials are not pleased with the 4-H pullout. Many felt Horvath was working behind the board members’ backs in pursuit of another location. Board member Kim Hammond said Horvath should have approached the board before talking with those at Stricker’s Grove.
“Somebody had to get the ball rolling,” Horvath explained. “With 6,500 people coming through the gates, I don’t see a positive end to keeping it where it is. Some judges refuse to come because they don’t think it’s safe. There are 4-H families that won’t stay after 5 p.m. for the same reason.”
It’s unclear what will happen to the Agricultural Society. Horvath expects with the move 4-H will form as a nonprofit organization.
She said some members of the Agricultural Society are welcome to come along, but not all because “the bottom line is, I’m looking for innovators.”
If the Agricultural Society goes with 4-H, it would lose its lease on the Carthage land, allowing the county to sell it. However, it could let 4-H go and still put on a junior fair without 4-H. That would allow it to retain its lease. The county leases the fairgrounds to the agricultural society for $1 a year.
There are currently 236 registered participants in the Hamilton County 4-H program. Of those, 175 are active in showing at the county fair.
Anyone willing to help with the construction of barns or an arena should contact Horvath at 513-504-9106. |
