Shelby County Reporter – Top Story Thursday, February 21, 2008
Fair brings home ribbonsBy JUSTIN AVERETTE / News Editor / Posted: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 3:52 PM CST
Handing out blue, red and white ribbons is nothing new for Shelby County Fair volunteers.But the tables were turned earlier this month when the fair won some pretty big awards at the Alabama Association of Fairs conventions.
The fair received the Grand Champion Award, beating out larger events like Dothan’s National Peanut Festival and the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery.“It’s a honor for all of Shelby County,” said fair manager John Jones. “People for all over the county come to this fair. It’s good, clean fun.”Fair judges looked at several categories, ranging from how clean the bathrooms were to how many community groups volunteered.“We were honored. We’re really proud of what we’ve done,” said Jones.
The Shelby County Fair also earned a superior ranking and was named most improved from 2006. Jones was named Fair Manager of the Year and inducted into the Blue Ribbon Club for his many years of service.
“It’s a total team effort. One person can’t do this,” said Jones. “We did real good this year. The weather was pretty, and we had a lot of help.”
The Columbiana Kiwanis Club sponsors the fair, but Jones the fair wouldn’t be possible with volunteers from all over the county.
He singled out the following groups for their contributions to the fair:
-Chelsea Kiwanis Club
-Shelby County Commission
-Shelby County Commission
-Shelby County Board of Education
-Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
-Shelby County Reporter
-Meyers International Midway
-Shelby County Extension System
-Numerous other school, church, civic and veterans groups
This year’s fair will be held Sept. 15-20, 2008.
