VW Fair Board director candidates sought

Van Wert County Fair Board information

This year, Van Wert County residents again have the opportunity to become a Van Wert County Fair Board director.

Those people who have ideas for the fair or would like to be a part and have a vote on the board to make the fair happen can now pick up petitions at the Fair Board office. Petitions are being accepted for representatives for Hoaglin, Tully, Union and Washington townships, as well as an at-large board member, for the 2015 term. Those interested must be a county resident to be a voting member or to run for the Fair Board.

A Fair Board director serves on the Van Wert County Agricultural Society board for a term of three years. Meetings are generally held the third Wednesday of every month, starting at 7 p.m., at the fairgrounds. This is volunteer position.

Unsure of the process or the commitment? Call the Van Wert County Fair Office at 419.238.9270 or attend the next Fair Board meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 19.  County residents can request a petition at the fair office anytime between now and September 1, but must have the petition with signatures returned to the fair office by 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 1.

The next step after pulling a petition is to acquire 10 signatures from fair members in the appropriate township. Fair members are those people who have purchased a fair membership ticket ($25) and have voting rights. Membership tickets are only available at the fair office or can be purchased from Fair Board directors or petition holders.

Five dollars of the $25 membership fee goes directly into the Long-Term Maintenance Fund for the fairgrounds, and it allows people to vote during the election held during the fair on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the fair office. Ticket holders also can vote during the annual meeting election to determine proposed constitutional and bylaw changes held the first Saturday in November at the Fair Office (remember to keep tickets, as they must be presented at the time of voting).