GREENVILLE – The Darke County Fair Board met on July 16, 2025, to address several important issues concerning upcoming events, grounds policy updates, and future planning initiatives.
Horse Arena Fundraising Plan Approved
At the prior meeting, the board was presented with fundraising materials from the Horse Arenas Committee regarding the development of a covered horse arena. Curtis Yount made a motion to approve moving forward with the committee’s proposed fundraising plan, seconded by Christoph Keller. Yount commented, “They put this together really well. I have no issues.” The motion passed unanimously, signaling board support for the project.
Pet Policy Clarification
The board reviewed and reinforced its pet policy: no dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds unless they meet the criteria of a service dog or are actively participating in a show event. Emotional support animals do not qualify under this policy.
Board member Heidi suggested that this policy be clearly included as a disclaimer during online entries to avoid confusion. The discussion also covered the potential need for health documentation for animals claimed to be service dogs and the legal complexity of identifying legitimate service animals.
Ultimately, the board agreed that proof of vaccinations will be required for any animal identified as a service animal. A motion to implement this vaccination policy was made by Craig Bowman and seconded by Dean Neff. The motion passed. The board will begin social media outreach to remind the public of this policy prior to the fair.
Golf Cart Regulations Tightened
The board emphasized that golf carts must not exceed 50 inches in width, with a designated measurement area set up near the fair office. Only vendors with the appropriate paper work are granted permission to use golf carts at the fair and they must be off the midway by 10am, no exceptions.
“Touch-a-Truck” Event Planning
Planning for the popular Touch-a-Truck event at the fair is underway. Madison Werner was tasked with creating and sending out invitations to potential participants. The board also discussed awards for the event and expressed strong optimism for its success this year.
Water Line Damage Policy
A new policy was adopted regarding accidental damage to water lines on the fairgrounds. If a line is struck:
- The responsible party will be charged $250.
- If the incident occurs during a rented event, the event renter will be held accountable for the fee.
This motion was brought forward by Dean Neff and passed by the board.
Adjournment and Next Meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 PM.
The next board meeting is scheduled for August 6th at 7:00 PM.
