Friends of the Fair

The “Friends of the Fair” program was started in 1997 by the Fair Board to show appreciation to several individuals for their exceptional efforts and contributions to the fair. Each year members of the board nominate and vote on 5 people who have helped make the fair successful. Those chosen are recognized at Opening Ceremonies and presented with a plaque, and also receive lifetime passes to the fair. In addition, their names are listed in a show case that hangs inside the fair office.

Below are the names of the recipients since the award’s inception. If you know any of these individuals, please congratulate and thank them for their contributions to the fair.

1997199819992000
Donald BraimJ. Dale GrimGaye HaasSteve Fetherolf
Delbert KochNaomi GrimRobert JohnsonHenry Gruber
John SchafferWilliam GeorgeRichard GrimHerman Handwerk
Clarence SchifferAbner KrumanockerPaul SemmelL. Thomas Kern
Nelson TysonEdwin ZieglerLaura SpitkoKeith Stahley
2001200220032004
Jason KernTammy BurdaHarlan BloseKeith Fenstermacher
Dennis HaasTodd KernLaRue BloseSusan Galinas
Rick HarringRobert SotakMary HandwerkJoshua Grim
Carol SnyderHomer WentzElton MinnichCarol Lichtenwalner
Jason ZellnerHarlan WessnerDaniel WehrLynn Litrenta
2005200620072008
Barbara WessnerViolet BaerSandra BodnykPeggy Bowman
Ronald HeintzelmanMike BodnykLucille PhillipsLeonard Houser
Sharon HardenbergLarue GuthLeRoy PhillipsMary Jane Sheckler
Gene HardenbergPat HorstmanChuck HorwithTed Rothrock
Elsie SchwarzNorma HouserKornfeind’s MarketNancy Kern
2009201020112012
Jim ReisHarold RemaleyDonald C. KuntzDarryl Kibler
Roma McKelveyArlene RemaleyRichard KochLeonard Nuss
Jean KrysiukJoann AdamsDoris DrabicLeroy Haas
Ginny SotakMark HoffmanEleanor ReynardBruce Stettler
Stephanie ReppertMargarie HoffmanDonavon BauerRobert Berger
2013201420152016
Kathy HaasKathy LichtenwalnerBarbara SoltCharles (Chip) Biegley
Terry DunbarLori WisserCarol BognorJessica Biegley
Keith PavlackFrank HeinDouglas HouserHenry Musselman
Roy DannerRonald StahleyKenny RexGeorge Burda, Jr.
Zach AicherSean HardingMarvin RexJim Wirth
2017201820192020
Brian HaasDarlene BroskyRay HammFair Canceled due to COVID-19
Kurt HaasJeffrey BroskyShirley Hamm 
Charles WeidaTom BurkhardtClarence Hoffman 
Ashlee SokeJohn LeiboldSandra Hoffman 
 Xavier FryslinIrene Reiss 
Rodney Reiss
2021202220232024
Fair Canceled due to COVID-19Diane GoodhilePatricia Hower
Beverly SchantzJames Soldridge 
Richard SchantzSusan Soldridge