2008 Lee Fair Takes Top Awards

The Lee Regional Fair, sponsored by the Sanford Lions Club, for the second straight year has taken top honors from the N.C. Association of Fairs for its 2008 event.
It is judged in the association’s division two which includes fairs up to 40,000 attendance.

Fair Director Ronnie Turner displayed four plaques at the club’s weekly dinner meeting Thursday, Jan.15 that were presented at the association’s annual meeting in Raleigh Jan. 7-9. “We cleaned house on awards,” Turner declared with a broad smile.

One was the Image Award which judges present to the fair that best represents all aspects of what an excellent agriculture fair should be—agriculture exhibits, entertainment, food, community participation, and all round appearance and cleanliness.

Turner said winning this award two years in a row means that other fairs across the state are now “gunning for us.” “But that’s okay, we’re just going to get bigger, meaner and better. We must keep moving up,” Turner said.

The local fair took the Agriculture Award meaning it incorporated more agriculture related exhibits than any other fair in its division. In addition, the Lee Regional Fair captured the Commissioner of Agriculture Award presented by Steve Troxler for being the best at showcasing farm products in North Carolina.

The fourth honor brought to Sanford was the Youth Award for being the best fair in terms of youth participation. Much of this is made possible by the partnership with the N.C. Cooperative Extension’s Lee County office headed by Susan C. Condlin. It entire staff and network of volunteers through 4-H and various area farm committees make up a vital part of the Lee Regional Fair.

At the statewide fair meeting, Turner was selected to serve on the board of directors of the N.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs. He said planning for the 2009 Lee Regional Fair is already underway by the Lions Fair Steering Committee. Many improvements at the fairgrounds in Sanford are being considered, but availability of funding will determine what gets done by the next fair.

Turner emphasized that even with the overall economic downturn, local fairs are considered affordable and convenient family entertainment for citizens. And the Lee Regional Fair will return this year with its best ever line-up of exhibits, shows, and rides.

President John Walden, Jr. presided and Bob Hughes delivered the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Glenn Stubits.