COLUMBUS—The Ohio Fair Managers (OFMA) Committee inducted the late, longtime Darke County Fair Board member Dave Niley into the Ohio Fairs Hall of Fame on Sunday, at the OFMA Convention in Columbus.
During a special fair board meeting in November, Board Vice President Jim Zumbrink announced the news.
Niley was nominated by the Darke County Fair Board for his commitment to the fair.
He served on the Darke County Agricultural Society Board of Directors consecutively from November 2001 to November 2022. Niley was also on the building and grounds committee from 2006, to 2022. He served on the following committees during his time as a board member: audit and budget, capital improvements, safety and security, parking, Anderson’s Grant, executive legal, race, vendors, equipment, senior citizens and building grounds.
Niley lost his battle with cancer on Nov. 24, 2022. He was aware of the induction, and was honored by the award. His family attended on Sunday, and accepted it on his behalf.
Niley is the second nominee from Darke County to be selected, with Francis Byers from Darke County was also inducted into the Ohio Fairs Hall of Fame in 1994. He was acknowledged for his work in displaying fruits and vegetables at The Great Darke County Fair for over 50 years.
Video courtesy of Brian Rismiller.
