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Canfield Fair ribbon-cutting honors veterans, military members
By Kalea Hall
CANFIELD
The 168th Can- field Fair ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday was more than a celebration of the fair.
It was a celebration of veterans.
Troy K. Rhoades, a retired Air Force commander and chief master sergeant of the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, reminded everyone in attendance of the importance of recognizing veterans and active military members.
“Please don’t forget me,” he said. “When I [say] ‘me’ I mean soldiers, Marines, sailors and coasters [Coast Guard]. Say hello and thank us.”
Before his speech, the American pride was already in the air. Some people in the crowd sang along with their hands over their hearts as the Western Reserve band play “The Star Spangled Banner” and the Marine Corps League presented the colors.
Craig Myers, fair board president, jumped back in time to the first Canfield Fair in his speech.
“Did they have a ribbon-cutting?” Myers asked. “I don’t think so, but we are quite proud to be here.”
“Here” is a place, an icon, that is 168 years old. The Canfield Fair falls in a group with a number of other Valley icons, including Idora Park, Youngstown State University, Mill Creek MetroParks and others, Myers said.
“When you experience the fair for a day you experience the culture of the entire world,” Myers said.
“Where else can you pet a horse, milk a cow and ride a Ferris wheel [all in one day]? Not only does it represent all that is good in the Valley it represents the great traditions.”
Rhoades is no stranger to the fair. He grew up in Ashtabula County as a country boy and would attend the county fair there. He has lived in Canfield the past 14 years with his wife, Christine.
He said he was honored to be able to speak at the ribbon-cutting and to talk about the need to recognize and appreciate military people.
“If it wasn’t for the military I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Rhoades said.
Representatives from the governor’s, state auditor’s and state treasurer’s offices were all in attendance, as well as several local politicians.
Mahoning County commissioners conducted their weekly meeting near the fairgrounds in order to attend the openeing ceremony.
“Please have some home-grown fun,” Myers said to the crowd.
The fair had a preview day on Wednesday and continues its run through Monday, Labor Day.