DARKE COUNTY – The Darke County Agricultural Society Board of Directors met Wednesday evening during their Monthly Meeting.
During Public Comment, Darke County Agriculture Society Member Amber Schlechty addressed the board regarding the extensive revenue loss the Society suffers every year due to the open shows held in all departments.
Schlechty explained how the payouts compared to the entry fees are quite large and are usually significantly higher payouts. She encouraged the Board Directors to reevaluate their open shows with their secretaries.
Also in attendance was Jason Blackburn, regarding interest in adding additional grandstand events for his contracted Food Truck Rally Events. He is now in his 8th year of holding these well-attended and successful events.
Blackburn once again suggested hosting a Demolition Derby in May 2025. However, many Board Members are concerned about the Demolition Derby’s competitiveness, which is held during the Great Darke County Fair. Blackburn shared that he believes he would attract a different audience, especially due to the difference in dates.
The board decided to table the discussion and discuss it further at a work session with a special meeting to follow and hopefully come to a decision.
Another item of business involving pending contracts was the contract for the Home and Sports Show with an amendment made which will allow the sale of alcohol with the correct and appropriate licensure.
“They want to allow alcohol at their event based on getting proper licensing and there’s a whole process they go through. Similar to the humane society and how they do their wine show. It’s the same process. You have to have a license and the sheriff has to sign off. We have to sign off, so that’s the amendment they want to take to that,” said Laura Ahrens, Secretary.
Directors congratulated the 2024 Darke County Fair Queen Sophia Aultman as she just recently got back from competing at the 2025 Ohio Fairs Queen Contest.
“I had such a great time,” said Aultman as she thanked the board. “I learned a lot and now have skills that I will be able to use in the future.”
Director Craig Bowman shared that there will be a Jim Buchy Trot held during the 2025 Great Darke County Fair.
Bowman explained that they’ve been wanting to include Buchy in the program and are excited to get the opportunity to do so.
Buchy was a state representative from the Darke County area. He has since been an asset to the community and has supported it in many ways throughout the years and continues to do so.
The Darke County Agricultural Society Board of Directors will hold a work session on January 16, 2025, at 6:00 pm. Following the work session, at 7:30 there will be a special meeting held as well.
The Darke County Agricultural Society Board of Directors will hold its next regular monthly meeting on February 5, 2025, at 7:00 pm.