No families to receive fair honor

Outstanding Fair Families might be recognized again at the 2004 fair.
By MATT BIXENSTINE
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- For the first time in 40 years, this year's Canfield Fair will not honor Mahoning County's Outstanding Fair Families.
Ohio State University's Mahoning County Extension Office and the Mahoning County Extension Advisory Committee have sponsored, selected and recognized families every year since 1963 for their involvement in the fair and service to the community.
This year, however, the extension office did not receive any public nominations to submit to its volunteer committees for selection.
"We've had this program for a long time, and sometimes things just run their course," said David Goerig, OSU extension horticulture agent.
Goerig said at this point it is too late to submit fair family nominations for this year because of the time necessary for ceremony preparations, including designing plaques for the honorees. The original deadline was July 1.
Honor to return
The extension office hopes to resume honoring fair families at the 2004 Canfield Fair, Goerig said.
"This is not to say it [Outstanding Fair Families] won't happen next year," he said.
Canfield residents William and Susan Phillips, one of two Outstanding Fair Families from a year ago, both said the cancellation was unfortunate.
"I think that's kind of disappointing because there are a lot of good families active in the community not getting enough publication," Susan Phillips said.
William Phillips said bestowing honors like Outstanding Fair Families is important to maintaining relations between urban and rural areas.
"I think it would be good for Mahoning County [to continue Outstanding Fair Families]," he said. "The economy of the county is changing, but agriculture is still significant."
Still, William Phillips said he understands the lack of nominations.
"It's difficult -- people are busy," he said. "There are plenty of outstanding families out there. It's a matter of taking the time and effort to nominate them."
The 157th Canfield Fair takes place Aug. 27 to Sept. 1.
mbixenstine@vindy.com