Commissioner Tim Bubb Judging at the 2009 Hartford Fair

The 151st Hartford Independent Fair was a record setter in terms of attendance. Officials say, some 42,724 fairgoers passed through the gates on August 12 breaking the Wednesday attendance total of 37,244 by a whopping 5,480. The arrival of basically dry hot summer weather seems to have helped, along with a strong list of grandstand events.

A Hartford Fair tradition was the annual Sweet Treats to Eat Contest in the 4-H Center. Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb, joined by Commissioner's Doug Smith and Brad Feightner, were the judges. In what must be considered 'tough duty' they spend some two hours judging pee-wee, youth and adult entrants in the pie, cake, cookie, candy and miscellaneous categories.

Above is a photo of (l-r) Commissioners Smith, Bubb and Feightner. They are pictured with Cheryl Lohrman who brought several successful entries to the competition, including the Best of Show award.

Lorman's black raspberry pie won the top prize from among 46 entries. Lohrman shared with the audience a bit of her Fair tradition, remembering fondly as a youth helping make chicken sandwiches in the Chatham Methodist Church booth. Holding the Best of Show gold plate, she also remembered, with a few tears, learning to bake at her grandmother's knee and watching her meticulously edge her pie crusts. She added, "Grandma always made wonderful deserts. She baked because of the love of it and that's how I bake - with love."

During Fair week, from August 9th through 15th, Commissioner Bubb and his fellow Commissioner's were on the fairgrounds greeting visitors both on the Midday and under the Grandstand, in the County Government area. In addition, the Commissioners also judged the annual 'wild turkey calling" competition for youth, and the annual 'wild game cookoff' for both youth and adults. These events were held in the Natural Resources area, a new area of the Fairgrounds that is growing in popularity.

A special congratulations to Johnstown's Caitlyn Dever who reigned over the Fair as Queen. The 18-year old was sponsored by Johnstown-Monroe High School FFA. Drew Neilley, age 19, of Baltimore was crowned Fair King, and joined Dever in a variety of activities during the week.