"BLUE RIBBON FAIR" AWARD TO CALHOUN COUNTY EXPO

Cresco, IA: The Calhoun County Expo, held in Rockwell City, has received the 2008 "Blue Ribbon Fair" Award by the Board of Directors of the Association of Iowa Fairs. The award was presented to the Board of Directors of the Calhoun County Expo at the Association's 2008 Conference and Annual Meeting, which was held December 5, 6 and 7 at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines, IA. The Calhoun County Expo was chosen to receive the award from all the fairs in the Association's Northwest District.


"One member fair in each of the Association's six fair districts in Iowa is presented this award each year." stated Thomas Barnes, Executive Director of the Association. "The fair that receives this award must have shown progress in providing service to the 4-H & FFA programs in their community, plus show distinguished service the community in both fair and non fair areas. My wife Sue & I have visited the Calhoun County Expo several times and we found it does indeed serve very well the community as outlined in the guidelines of this award."

"The Board of Directors of the Association of Iowa Fairs would like to extend to its sincere appreciation to the Calhoun County Expo Board and their spouses, led by President Kerry Scheidegger and Secretary Jessica Ross for their commitment to the Calhoun County Expo, and to the fair industry in Iowa." Barnes added. "We also extend our appreciation to the Calhoun County Extension Service, 4-H leaders and members, area FFA Chapters and to all the many other area volunteers that are involved with the Calhoun County Expo. They all combined make the Calhoun County Expo a Blue Ribbon Fair."


The Association of Iowa Fairs is the organizational body of the fair industry in Iowa. It has as its members not only the 106 county and regional fairs of Iowa and the Iowa State Fair, but also 130 plus associate members such as carnivals, entertainment agencies, festivals, chambers, concessionaires, special attractions and suppliers of the industry. Together, the members of the Association work together to promote and strengthen the fair industry in Iowa.


The 2009 officers of the Association are President Dave Hoffman of Le Mars in Plymouth County, First Vice President John Straight of Logan in Harrison County and Second Vice President Darwin Gaudian of Primghar in O'Brien County. The immediate Past President is Don Cain of Delmar in Clinton County. Thomas and Susan Barnes of Cresco serve as the Association's Executive Director and Executive Secretary/Treasurer respectively, and are associated with the Mighty Howard County Fair in Cresco. For further information on the Association of Iowa Fairs, visit www.iowafairs.com.