A visiting fair board member from Cuyahoga County gave the members of the board of the Wood County
Agricultural Society some food for thought at Thursday’s fair board meeting.
Jeff Collins, the 32-year member of the metropolitan county fair board, shared several ideas that have
proven successful for his board.
Collins, who first joined the board at age 15, was instrumental in coordinating the effort for the
Cleveland area fairgrounds to be among, if not the first in the country to have a commercial wind
turbine on its property. It should be operational by the end of the year.
The 285-foot turbine is being constructed in the infield at the fairgrounds. Collins told the board it is
not costing them anything as it is being totally funded through "stimulus money.’
The cooperative effort was approved in large measure due to the educational aspect of the project. A
special building near the turbine will allow students and other visitors to monitor the wind velocity
and amount of electricity being generated.
Collins boasted how their board was able to secure the funding for the project with no cost to them, and
will likely all but eliminate electric bills.
He also advised the board that selling beer during the fair was an "unbelievable source of
income." While board members questioned him about various problems that could be expected, Collins
said, in fact, it was the opposite. With four years of selling beer, they have yet to have any problem
incidents. Rather, he said it eliminated many complaints because they did not have beer sales.
Last year they made an extra $48,000 on beer sales.
Collins also studied and became certified to operate an apiary. He said the bee exhibit at the fair is
among its greatest attractions, with countless children and adults with their faces pressed against the
glass watching the hive and trying to find the queen who is clearly marked.
A bee club has been formed with nearly two dozen people now having their own hive.
The Cuyahoga County visitor also shared how they no longer stage their own concerts. Instead, a local
radio station is given the right to bring whatever artists they want to the fair. The radio station
handles ticket sales and covers the costs in hopes of making a profit. The fair board takes no risk, and
has virtually no costs for expenses, promotion, etc. What the fair gets is added gate admission, which
Collins says was excellent.
Different members expressed an interest in one or more of the visitor’s ideas; however, cautious
observations were raised as to how anything might work with the circumstances at the local fairgrounds.
Those observations included likely opposition to both the turbine and the beer sales, especially
considering the fairgrounds are located in a Plain Township, which is dry.
The session began as a joint meeting with members of the Junior Fair Board. The younger group met with
the various department chairs to further plans for this year’s fair.
After the two boards separated, Bill Kale, grounds chairman, sought and was granted approval to spend
$12,340 to improve and expand the asphalt drives in the area of the administration building and the
grandstand.
The entertainment chairman, Dave Nietz, thanked those that helped with the initial day of ticket sales.
He reported all the $27.50 seats were sold out for the Chris Young and Steel Magnolia concert at the
2011 fair. Nearly one-third of the available seats have been sold, which Nietz said is ahead of last
year’s pace.
Doug Michaelis notified the board he is aware of at least two Scouts who are seeking Eagle Scout
projects, and thought the fairgrounds might provide an opportunity. Michaelis asked the board to think
of something that might work to the benefit of both the Scouts and the fairgrounds.