DARKE COUNTY – The Great Darke County Fair, known for its Jr. Fair, events, vibrant rides and bustling crowds, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to unveil a new sensory room and changing table area, a sanctuary for those needing a moment of calm amidst the excitement. You will find it on the North side of the Grandstands with the only building to have a blue roof.
The journey began before last year’s fair, thanks to the initiative of Elizabeth Brewer, the 2023 Darke County Fair Queen, and Andrew Wuebker, the 2023 King. They launched a campaign called “Fair for All,” aimed at making the fairgrounds more inclusive and accessible for everyone. Their vision was clear: to create an environment where all attendees could fully enjoy the fair’s offerings.
Former Sr. Fair Director, Ed Erisman was also instrumental in bringing this sensory room discussion to fruition.
This Fair for All Sensory Room and changing table is the first permanent one in Darke County.
Brumbaugh Construction, led by Jason Willis and his team, played a crucial role by donating all their time to the project. The Greenville and Versailles students were deeply involved, conducting research to understand what a sensory room entails and selecting the appropriate colors to create a calming atmosphere. Under Jason’s guidance, the Greenville students began the transformation with demolition and framing, while the Versailles students focused on designing the room’s interior.
The community quickly rallied around the project, with local businesses stepping in to offer their support. Businesses donated or gave significant discounts to materials for this building and its unique sensory-friendly elements. The spirit of collaboration was palpable.
The project also benefited from a significant boost in funding. Kim Hauck, director of the Department of Disabilities, worked closely with Governor DeWine and the legislature to allocate funds aimed at increasing accessibility across Ohio. “Darke County applied and received one of our larger grants, and we’re really excited to see what they’re doing with these funds,” Kim Hauck remarked, highlighting the impact of this financial support on enhancing accessibility and inclusion at the fair.
Darke County is receiving $550,000 in grant funding and this is just one of the projects that is being done with that. There’s been paved walkways added to the fairgrounds, and there’s been inclusive meeting equipment purchased.
Tonya Clark, the Darke DD Superintendent, emphasized the broader vision behind the project: “We want to make sure not only people with developmental disabilities but people of all abilities have the opportunity to fully participate in anything they want to participate in.”
Jason Willis reflected on the collective effort… saying, “It was very important to be a support to the community and provide resources where they were needed.”
As the fair approaches, anticipation grows. The students, alongside Jason and the team from Brumbaugh Construction, put the finishing touches on the room, adding sensory-friendly furniture and interactive features. On this opening day, the sensory room was a resounding success. Families express gratitude, and children who once struggled to enjoy the fair now have a place where they can relax and recharge. The changing table area will be helpful to families who need an adult changing area as well.
Marla Werner, Sr. Director of the Darke County Fair expressed her enthusiasm saying, “A grandparent told her that this will allow their grandson to be able to spend more time at the fair, where he can diffuse, where in the past, they would have just had to take him home. I think comments like that tell us this is a need and I’m just excited that we’re going to be able to offer it to the community and not just the people in Darke County but also to those who come and visit us. At the fair, we get people from all over and this will allow those to come to our fair and use this room as needed whereas in the past, maybe they wouldn’t have been able to attend because they didn’t have the opportunity to use this space being so far from home.”
Importantly, this building will not only be open for the fair but will also be available during any large event held on the fairgrounds, ensuring ongoing accessibility for all.
The project not only enriches the fair but also leaves a lasting impact on the students and the community. They learned the power of collaboration and the importance of creating inclusive spaces. The sensory room and changing table stand as a testament to their hard work and compassion, a beacon of hope and understanding at the heart of the fair.
And so, The Great Darke County Fair continues, now with a new legacy of inclusion and community, thanks to the hands and hearts of those who believed in making a difference.
