Ohio Fair Managers Association

Ohio Fair Managers Association
Name	Ohio Fair Managers Association
Formation	19th century
Type	Trade association
Headquarters	Ohio
Region served	Ohio
Membership	County and independent fair boards

Ohio Fair Managers Association is a statewide trade association representing fair managers, fair boards, and agricultural exhibition organizers across Ohio. It links local fair leaders with state agencies, fosters professional development, and coordinates statewide initiatives among county fairs, state fairs, and exhibition venues. The association works alongside agricultural institutions, civic organizations, and entertainment producers to sustain annual fairs and community events throughout the state.

History

The association traces roots to 19th-century county fair traditions that mirrored developments at the Ohio State Fair and national agricultural movements such as the American Royal and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Early convenings involved representatives from Franklin County, Cuyahoga County, Hamilton County, Lucas County, and other counties that hosted agricultural exhibitions. Over time the association formalized procedures similar to those adopted by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions and coordinated responses to crises that affected large events, including public health emergencies and major economic shifts that impacted exhibition agriculture and midway operations. Its history intersects with statewide institutions like The Ohio State University extension programs, federal initiatives such as the Smith-Lever Act, and regional associations including the Midwest Association of Agricultural Fairs.

Organization and Membership

Membership comprises fair managers, fair board members, and sponsoring organizations from county fairs, independent fairs, and agricultural societies across Ohio, including rural municipalities and urban exhibition sites. Affiliate relationships connect members with professional groups such as the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, National Association of Agricultural Exhibitors, and trade partners from the entertainment sector represented by agencies that book performers who have appeared at venues like Blossom Music Center and Nationwide Arena. Governance structures typically include an elected executive board, committees for finance, rules, and programming, and liaisons to state departments including the Ohio Department of Agriculture and legislative delegations from districts represented by members of the Ohio General Assembly.

Activities and Programs

The association organizes annual conferences, professional development workshops, and exhibit competitions that mirror practices at events like the Ohio State Fair, Brown County Fair (Ohio), and regional agricultural shows. Programs include safety trainings modeled on standards from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and partnership initiatives with The Ohio State University Extension for youth agricultural programs such as 4-H and FFA. Educational offerings cover livestock exhibition rules referencing breed associations like the American Angus Association, entertainment booking protocols similar to practices at Cedar Point and Kings Island, and vendor management used by venues such as COSI and county exhibition centers. The association also facilitates cooperative purchasing, insurance pools, and shared marketing campaigns promoting seasonal fairs in locales including Marion County, Stark County, Montgomery County, and Ashtabula County.

Advocacy and Legislative Involvement

Advocacy work includes lobbying the Ohio General Assembly and engaging with the Ohio Department of Agriculture on matters affecting carnival regulation, animal health protocols, and funding for community exhibition infrastructure. The association has testified on legislation involving public safety standards, tax treatment of fair activities, and grant programs administered by entities comparable to the Ohio Development Services Agency. It coordinates grassroots outreach with county commissioners, municipal leaders, and statewide coalitions tied to agricultural policy debates, aligning occasionally with national advocacy efforts led by groups such as the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Notable Fairs and Events

Members manage and support a wide range of fairs, from major state events like the Ohio State Fair to historic county fairs in communities such as Delaware, Ohio, Wooster, Findlay, and Lancaster. The association’s network includes fairs that host major livestock shows recognized by organizations like the American Dairy Science Association and entertainment lineups that have featured national touring acts known from the Grand Ole Opry circuit and national exposition stages like those at the Chicago State Fair. Many member fairs run competitions and exhibitions that feed into regional and national championships overseen by bodies like USA Poultry & Egg Export Council-affiliated shows and youth programs tied to National FFA Organization events.

Awards and Recognition

The association administers awards recognizing excellence in fair management, youth exhibition, and community impact, modeled on honors given by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions and agricultural societies. Categories include Manager of the Year, Outstanding Volunteer drawn from civic organizations such as Kiwanis International and Rotary International, and Best Agricultural Exhibit judged with criteria similar to national breed and commodity competitions. Award recipients often receive statewide publicity coordinated with partners like the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and academic outlets at The Ohio State University.

Category:Ohio organizations Category:Agricultural organizations based in the United States