Support the Canfield Fair; give school kids a break

Support the Canfield Fair; give school kids a break

EDITOR:

For several years I have been an adviser to the members of the Junior Fair Board at the Canfield Fair. We have 46 of the better young people of this area working on the Junior Fair Board. They are taught responsibility, teamwork, management skills, communication skills, and pride in their community. The reason for this letter is to ask area schools to support these young people by excusing them for a day or two to work at the fair.

Some of the local schools already do that, but others do not. One school even went so far as to tell a student that 10 points would be deducted from the final grade. I find it hard to believe that missing one day of school would have that kind of impact on a student’s learning. Students are given an excuse from the Junior Fair Board Manager to prove their participation in the fair events.

The Mahoning County Fair (Canfield Fair) is one of the largest county fairs in the United States and we should be very proud that we have it here. I have attended Senior Fair Board meetings in Columbus and know the respect afforded our Fair. The Junior Fair is an opportunity for young people to exhibit and show their livestock, to sell their livestock, provide guides for the senior citizen shuttles within the fair, and to contribute in countless other ways. Participation in the Junior Fair Board activities is a valuable teaching lesson for the young persons involved.

Let’s be proud of and support the Canfield Fair!

GEORGE L. GRIM

Boardman