The announcement of Three Dog Night’s performance at the 2017 Wood County Fair was not the only major
news from Thursday’s meeting of the Senior Fair Board. The board also heard of the imminent departure of
the Wood County Fair’s manager and the plan to continue a long-running fair favorite event, despite
controversy.
Dick King’s resignation as fair manager was accepted by the board following an executive session. He will
continue to serve in that role through Dec. 1, including this year’s fair. Noting his age and desire to
spend more time with his family including his grandchildren, he submitted his letter of resignation.
“I will stay on the fair board as a director as long as I am able,” King wrote.
King said following the meeting that the job will be posted and applications will be taken to succeed
him.
He was elected in August for another three-year term, which runs through the 2019 fair. He has served in
his current post as the fair manager and secretary since the 2010 fair.
Meanwhile, Emily Keegan with the Wood County Humane Society visited the meeting to share with the board
that complaints had been filed regarding the perceived cruelty of animals at the annual Catch-a-Pig
event at the fair. They also had responded to a complaint regarding the petting zoo.
Keegan said it is their duty and responsibility to investigate all allegations.
“What we issued is not a complaint but a letter of opinion. Agriculture is not our primary goal,” she
said.
She said it was their opinion the event should not be held. King said, they had checked with both their
veterinarian as well as the state veterinarian and both gave their approval for the competition.
Several board members addressed the concerns and explained there is no harm to the animals. They also
touted the educational value in the youth raising the pigs and teaching them proper care for the
animals.
The fair board members stressed there is no abuse nor cruelty.
King told her “We plan to continue to hold the event.”
On the entertainment front, the grandstand entertainment of Friday of fair week will be a motocross show.

The entertainment committee also announced the addition of Mobile Glass Studios, which will provide
glassblowing demonstrations during the fair from Aug. 2-5. Similar to Dennis Beach’s creations with his
chainsaw carvings, the glass art creations will be auctioned off Aug. 6.
Also returning this year will be the large cat show featuring both lions and tigers. The petting zoo will
also return to the fair  
New this year will be The Marvelous Mutts, a dog show act featuring rescue dogs that provide a
sports-themed entertainment show.
All the canines were rescued from various shelters around the country. The show also gives messages about
the talents and values of rescue dogs.
The board also voted to allow the Otsego Band Boosters to set up shop during fair week in the Fair
Foundation Cafe to serve fresh doughnuts for its group as a fundraising effort.
Jobe McMillin, the grounds committee chairman, outlined some of the projects slated to be tackled before
the 2017 fair. Among those projects are fencing, siding on the horse barn that’s known as the red-roof
barn, despite its new, non-red roof; and a new roof and siding for the sheep barn.
There was also approval for participating in the rebate lighting program for the Junior Fair Building.
The cost of the LED lighting will be $2,700; however, the rebate program will cover $1,575 of the cost,
making the net cost $1,125. McMillin said that cost will be redeemed through the savings of the new
lights.
The board also voted to raise the camping rates by $26 for the 2018 fair. The new rates will be $176 for
the week, making the total cost $200, including with the required membership.
The fair is also looking to document historical records from the fair. Stories and pictures from past
fairs are welcomed. Releases are required for the information to be able to be used. For more
information contact Angie Swartz at 419-257-2079.
It was also announced the contracts have been signed for the Vintage Market to bring its shows to the
fairgrounds in both the spring and the fall. Further details will be announced on those shows at a later
date.
One of the issues raised was the discussion of release times for all exhibits at the fair. While not all
were in agreement, it was approved by the board that exhibits are not to be released until after 9 p.m.
on Sundays of fair week. This does not mean the exhibits must be picked up at that time, however, they
cannot be released prior to that time. This will allow those who are paying gate admissions on that day
to be able to see the exhibits for most of that final day of paid admission. There is no gate admission
on the final Monday of the fair.
The Fall Camping Spectacular will return for the second consecutive year with activities Oct. 6-8.
The board also gave the go-ahead for 4-H clubs to paint Ohio Department of Transportation plows and have
them displayed on the fairgrounds.