08/29/2025
This is a long report from the events director, Haley, at the Hancock County Fair. It is a long read but there is a section that is about the Hancock Gospel Pavilion that I wanted you all to see. I am excited about how things are coming together for the Pavilion!
Fair-Side Chats: Open and Honest
Welcome to Fair-Side Chats. I’m Haley Reese, Fair and Events Manager for the Hancock County Agricultural Society. This is my fourth Hancock County Fair as Manager. From my first fair—navigating with a newborn strapped to me while learning the behind-the-scenes details—to today, still immersed in the best of Ohio agriculture, the journey has been incredible. There have certainly been bumps along the way, but I remain grateful every day to serve in what I truly consider my dream job.
We’re now on day three of the fair, and things are running as smoothly as the State Fair butter cow. From livestock shows and FFA displays to Grange and open class entries, our youth exhibitors put in countless hours and deserve to be celebrated. Beyond the barns, the fairgrounds are alive with food vendors, rides, and nightly grandstand entertainment. And who would have expected hoodie weather at an August fair? You won’t hear me complain.
As you explore the grounds, don’t miss:
- Bear Hollow Wood Carvers (Thursday–Sunday, auction Sunday at 2 PM in the Mini Park; proceeds benefit Honor Flight and scholarships)
- Antique Roadshow in the Grange Building
- Live music in the Gospel Pavilion
- Bang Whiz Science Show in the Mini Park (a hit with the kids!)
- Daily youth programs in the 4-H Pavilion
- Merchants Building, redesigned with 68 vendors and a new layout to make shopping easier. 35 vendor spaces have been relocated with a “goods” focus up front and a “services” focus on the other end. Make sure to keep an eye out for your favorite vendor’s new spot!
Looking Back
During opening ceremonies, I shared how proud I am to represent Hancock County as Fair Manager. Looking back at the past four years, we’ve accomplished a great deal, guided by the 2022 strategic plan with support from The Community Foundation. Highlights include:
- Junior Fair Building: A renovated former poultry barn, now a dedicated home for our Junior Fair Board and youth groups.
- Restroom renovations and new shower house near the North Grandstands, praised by both fairgoers and off-season renters.
- Buckeye Building expansion: Now 26,000 square feet under roof, with new concrete flooring for both fair use and community rentals.
- White Food Building renovation (the “McComb Building”), improved for both school and community use.
- Beautification projects, including murals, flower beds, and expanded seating thanks to bottle-cap recycling efforts.
- Safety and accessibility upgrades, with new concrete pads, paving, and smoother transitions across the grounds.
- New property acquisition adjacent to the fairgrounds to support future growth.
- Grange Building upgrades: New fans were installed this summer to improve air circulation and comfort for exhibitors and visitors in the building that houses photography, art, baking, and farm displays.
- Racetrack lighting: New lighting has been added for safety and visibility during evening events at the South Grandstand.
Looking Ahead
Small Animal Barn
The Board of Directors recently voted on and approved several major projects:
- A new Small Animal Barn, ending the long-standing need for costly tents and providing a safe, climate-controlled space for poultry, waterfowl, and rabbits—one of our fastest-growing departments.
- Upgrades to the Legacy Pavilion, including heating and insulation, to expand year-round use.
- Paving and striping improvements for the Sandusky Street parking lot and Restaurant Row.
My role as Manager is to carry out their vision and ensure its successfully implemented, but the decision itself rests with the Board—not me alone.
The Gospel Pavilion
After years of faithful service to our fairgrounds and community, the Gospel Pavilion building became structurally unsafe. The Board of Directors made the difficult decision to remove it, always keeping safety first.
But this is not the end of the Gospel Pavilion’s story—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. Together with the Gospel Pavilion Committee, we are committed to not only creating the best possible fair experience today but also planning for tomorrow.
The vision? A new structure that stands as a community cornerstone—one that honors tradition, inspires faith, and creates a legacy for generations to come. The Gospel Pavilion committee has been a fantastic group to work with through this pivotal time and we appreciate their willingness to change plans so quickly. I look forward to collaborating with them in the future.
Shop Talk
In light of recent rumors and reports, I want to share clear, accurate information:
Leadership: Our Board President, Levi Beagle, has been elected repeatedly because of his integrity and dedication. His countless volunteer hours and leadership have directly shaped the fairgrounds’ success. I am proud of his growth in his leadership position, and I’ve never met a harder working individual who truly has a love for the Hancock County Fair.
Audit: Claims that the Ag Society “failed” its 2023–2024 audit are false. The audit has not yet begun. Past findings, as with any audit, were addressed and corrected. With new financial policies in place and the dedicated work of our Office Manager and Treasurer, our financial position is stronger than ever.
Bed Tax: The County Commissioners have temporarily held the second-quarter bed tax payment until after the audit is complete. Once finalized, funds will be released and the agreement will return to normal. We value our strong partnership with the Commissioners and appreciate their continued support.
Media Coverage: Recent articles in The Courier contained inaccuracies both audit and fair related and were published without direct interviews or requests for clarification. While disappointing, we remain committed to transparency. Fair results are posted daily on our page and will continue to be publicly available. The Courier has utilized our Facebook posts from previous years for the most up to date and accurate results, and I’m confident they will continue to do so. Also of note, historically our advertisements and publications in The Courier for the fair-related articles alone cost well over the $10,000 mark, and therefore we’ve revamped how we advertise to be fiscally responsible.
Lawsuit: I do not have a lawsuit pending against Lauren Burner-Kitzler, our local 4H Extension Agent. Lauren and I have a great working relationship with a shared vision and value of 4H’s rich heritage and contribution to the county fair.
In Closing
My door is always open. If questions or concerns arise, please reach out directly to me or our leadership team for honest, accurate information. I am proud to serve as your Fair and Events Manager, proud to represent Hancock County, and grateful for the opportunity to continue building on our fairgrounds’ tradition of excellence.
Signing off this Fair-Side Chat,
Haley Reese
Fair and Events Manager
