Hugh O. Pugh received a certificate of recognition from Interim Director Tony M. Forshey, DVM of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, at the 87th Annual Ohio Fair Managers Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Pugh, nominated by the Van Wert County Fair, was chosen as the Outstanding Fair Supporter of District 2 which includes eleven counties in North Central Ohio.

Hugh is a lifetime resident of the county and a former Crestview High School teacher and principal for 34 years. He has a long association with the Van Wert County Fair, many of the neighboring fairs and the State Fair. Hugh was a 4-H Advisor and a member of the Van Wert County Dairy Service which helped build and maintain the Milking Parlor and Milk Tent at the Fair each year. He was a member of the Committee that built the Farm Focus Show Arena in 1974. Hugh has represented the Van Wert County Fair at many District Dairy meetings and has been instrumental in bringing many district shows to the Van Wert County Fair. Hugh was honored at the 2011 Fair for continuously showing Jersey cattle for 65 years.

Hugh and his wife Evelyn are the parents of four children and eight grandchildren. They are active members of Salem Presbyterian Church in Venedocia. Hugh’s leadership and participation are qualities that make him a true Fair Supporter.

The Van Wert County Fair was the recipient of two Communication Awards presented at the 87th Annual Ohio Fair Managers’ Convention on Sunday, January 8, 2012. Paul Oechsle received the plaques, for the Society, for 1st Place Newspaper Flyer Award and 2nd Place 2011 Fair Premium Book Cover for Medium-Sized Fairs in Ohio. The presentations were made by Jerry Knappenberger of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and Madison Weber from Stark County, the Ohio Fair Managers’ Queen for 2012.


- The Van Wert County Agricultural Society would like to remind the public about the new Fair Board Office hours. Effective immediately the office will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM and Fridays 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. If you have any questions please call 419-238-9270.

- The public is welcome to the next Van Wert County Agricultural Society Board meeting that will be held in the Van Wert County Agricultural Society Boardroom on Wednesday February 15 at 7:00 PM. In addition, the Van Wert County Agricultural Society Board is having a Public Meeting Saturday, February 11th at 10:00 AM in the Van Wert County Agricultural Society Office Room. If you would like to address the group, you will have up to 10 minutes before the meeting to register or you may call the office at 419-238-9270 to sign up for a time to speak. We hope to have a good attendance and to speak about any feedback which you may have.

- The "Mayor's Gold Cup" 100 lap go-kart race has unfortunately been CANCELLED. It is a NO GO for the scheduled May 11-13, 2012 dates. The needed financial support was NOT obtained and so the 100 lap, $5000 to win go-kart race had to be cancelled and at this time NO future date or future event of this type has been scheduled. We apologize for any and all inconveniences and at the same time we want to THANK all (and it was many) businesses, vendors, media, Van Wert County fair board members and Van Wert County fair manager and staff and many other individuals who contributed to a positive effort to make this event come to a positive outcome, even though it DID NOT happen! IT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!