Even as some 4-H kids are likely still sorting through the pictures and memories of the 2018 Berrien County Youth Fair, the organization’s leaders are hard at work forming strategies for the 2019 version of the Midwest’s Largest Youth Fair. In fact, they already have a custom theme for the New Year: Country Nights & Carnival Lights.
More than 90 association members, advisors and guests gathered to recap the Berrien County Youth Fair Association’s 2017-18 fiscal year on Tuesday night at the annual meeting held at the Youth Memorial Building in Berrien Springs.
President Bruce Foster welcomed everyone to the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Berrien County Youth Fair Association, Inc., saying “We had a very successful fair again this year.” He added, “With the help of all the volunteers and board members, we were able to showcase more than 11,000 exhibits from over 2,000 youth of Berrien County between the ages of 5 and 20.” Foster also thanked the board of directors for their input and the contributions of the volunteers.
Susan Coulston, Board Treasurer for the Fair, presented the annual financial report, reflecting total operating income of $1,414,605 and total operating expenditures of $1,307,834 resulting in an increase in unrestricted net assets of $106,771. Coulston said, “Overall we had a nice solid year,” adding, “All obligations have been paid in full. The association remains in sound financial position.”
Secretary Karen Klug provided the Youth Fair’s Year in Review, reporting that non-fair events kept the grounds busy from April through October. She notes, four new roofs were completed during the fiscal year along with new sheep pens, acquisition of a used John Deere 1570 front mount lawn mower, and new pig show pens.
The Berrien County Youth Fair was presented with a unique opportunity to open up the grounds for camping, overnight and overflow parking for the Motocross of Nations at Redbud Motocross in Buchanan at the beginning of October. Additionally, three successful fundraising activities raised enough money to cover the premiums paid to youth exhibitors.
The 2018 Berrien County Youth Fair theme was “Passport to Adventure” and the associations says it truly was an adventure. They say the weather forecast called for bad weather, “but none ever really came up.” A scavenger hunt for all youth was well received in its first year with 400 kids participating and 50 completing the hunt vying for a chance at one of six prizes.
Attendance at the Fair this year was 104,129, a figure that was down about 17,000 from the previous year. They had 2,134 exhibitors, which was a slip of 38 from the previous year, and 11,427 exhibits, some 364 fewer than in 2017.
Each year six members of the Board of Directors are elected for a three-year term. The following were nominated and elected for three-year terms:
- Rob Christner of Berrien Springs
- Bruce Foster of Berrien Center
- Ken Kuespert of Niles
- Cathy Reifschneider of Stevensville
- Noreen Soos of Berrien Springs
- Jill Lozmack-Mollberg of Galien.
The Outstanding 20 Year-Old Exhibitor award winner was Kevin Mitchell of Buchanan. Selection of that award is based on a point system covering Youth Fair participation and volunteering other than Fair week over the last six years of exhibiting. Mitchell received a trophy and $300 scholarship award provided by the D. R. Potts Memorial Scholarship Fund. Second place and receiving a $200 scholarship award was Sami Strauss of Three Oaks and third place and receiving a $100 scholarship award was Madison Lohraff of St. Joseph. Austin Soos also was recognized as a 20 year-old exhibitor.
The Friend of the Fair award was presented to Jim Shank and Richard Mann. That award is given annually to those individuals, families, and/or businesses that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help with the many activities at the Youth Fair. Shank is shown in the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market. He was the only award winner present at the annual meeting.
Following the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors met to select officers for the 2018-2019 year.
2018-2019 Officers elected:
- President, Corey Burks of Berrien Springs
- First Vice President, Tiffany Rydwelski of Buchanan
- Second Vice President, Cathy Reifschneider of Stevensville
- Secretary, Karen Klug of Eau Claire
- Treasurer, Susan Coulston of Niles
The 2019 Berrien County Youth Fair dates will run from August 12th to the 17th.
