Past Fair Board Honored

Editor

CANTON—In honor of their golden anniversary, the Van Zandt County Fair Board honored past fair board members with a reception Saturday afternoon in the Todd Berry Building.

"We are here to honor the legacy that was started," Van Zandt County Extension Agent Brian Cummins said in opening remarks of the ceremony. "We want you to know we have continued that legacy that was started."

"It was a pleasure and very interesting to me to dig into the Van Zandt County Fair books," he continued. "The idea for a fair started at the Farm Bureau in a board meeting."

Cummins said the first fair was in the triangle at State Highways 64 and 243.

"We’ve come a long way since then," he said; adding that the livestock auction set a new record this year.

Jack Mallory was instrumental in getting things organized and was the first fair board president.

Past fair board members who were present at the reception were Jake Slaughter, Oscar Brown, Wick Wilkerson, Todd Berry and Liston Barber. Also present were family members of past fair board members.

"These are some very large footsteps to follow," current fair board president David Berry said. "It’s all about what we do for the kids."

"It’s an honor to carry on a tradition you started for us," Berry continued. "…We are out here to inspire and educate our youth."

Cummins mentioned cosmetic changes to the fair grounds over the years and new events that have been added to the fair over the years.

He went on to talk about the Food Challenge which was a new event introduced this year, stating that six out of the seven schools in the county participated.

"Agriculture is very dear to my heart," Cummins said. "I applaud you for getting the fair started and showcasing it 50 years ago."