The Great Geauga County Fair is Ohio’s oldest fair, featuring more than 65 performers, acts, shows and contests, including the annual Jr. Fair King & Queen Contest. It’s an ideal family-friendly destination over Labor Day weekend, September 1-5, 9 a.m. to midnight daily.
Since 1823, Geauga County residents of all ages have made their mark at the fair. In 2010, 14,000 exhibits were entered for judging in a variety of competitions and categories including livestock, horticultural and agricultural products, fine arts, domestic arts, antiques and collectibles, culinary and baked goods and many more.
Advance gate admission is $6; and an online advance sale five-day pass is $25 and can be purchased here. Daily gate admission is $8 for adults, while kids 12 and under attend for free. Also, parking is free at the fairgrounds. Thursday will be Youth Day, with admission free for those 18 and under; plus reduced ride prices from noon through 10 p.m. Friday will be Senior Day, Veterans’ Day; when anyone 65 and older, and veterans attend the fair for free.
Four sets of young men and women from Geauga County have been nominated by their 4-H clubs for 2011 Great Geauga County Fair royalty. Those vying for the King & Queen crowns include:
Katherine Baumgartner
Katherine is the daughter of Peter and Erin Baumgartner of Bainbridge. She is a senior at Kenston High School and is involved in the marching band and concert winds band along with “KGAP”, Kenston Gaming and Pop Culture. She is also a member of Girl Scout troop #71396, active in her church, and has volunteered at Burton Century Village, Bainbridge Library, and Rescue Village. Katherine has been a member of Giggles n' Stitches for 6 years and is the President of the club this year. She has represented Geauga County at the Ohio State Fair for her sewing project. Katherine has been employed by CVS Pharmacy as a clerk since May of 2013.
Sidney Cala
Sidney is the daughter of Kimberly and Charles Farone from Huntsburg. She is a senior at Cardinal High School and Auburn Career Center where she is a student in the Teaching Professions Pathway class, working towards a 4-year college major in early childhood development. She also belongs to Drug Free Clubs of American, the Cardinal Silks Flag line, and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Sidney has volunteered at the Humane Society and TLC Preschool, and has donated items to Women Safe and the Painesville Family Resource Center. In her 11 years as a 4-H member, she has belonged to two clubs, Geauga Prime Time and Flockmasters, and has shown pigs and poultry. She is employed as a farm hand at Quail Ridge Performance Horses and baby-sits.
Anna Montazzoli
Anna is the daughter of Liz and Todd Montazzoli and attends Kenston High School where she has participated in track and basketball. She has been in Geauga County 4-H since she was 9 and has shown rabbits, chickens, ducks, pygmy goats, and lambs. Anna also shows her lambs at the Ohio State Fair, where she won third place for showmanship last year. She has served in every officer role and is currently the President of Junior Fair Board, Secretary of The Pygmy Connection, and a member of Junior Leaders. Anna enjoyed working at Metzenbaum this summer through the Geauga Growth Partnership. She is also a talented pianist, playing for over 12 years and enjoys assisting the sick and disabled through music.
Meghan O’Reilly
Meghan is the daughter of Amysue and Kevin O’Reily of Parkman. She is a senior at Notre Dame – Cathedral Latin High School where she is involved in the Marching Band and Tech Club. Outside of school she is very involved in 4-H on the county and state levels. She is Vice President of Junior Leaders, Treasurer of Flockmasters, and Secretary of Breeders and Feeders 4-H clubs. For the past 3 years she has served as a Geauga County 4-H camp counselor. Currently she is Secretary of the Geauga County Junior Fair Board. On the State level, Meghan has served as an Ohio 4-H State Ambassador for 2 years and is currently serving a 2-year term on the Ohio State Junior Fair Board as the Farm Bureau representative. Meghan graduated in the 2016 youth Leadership Geauga class. When she has free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends.
Tyler Plants
Tyler Plants is the son of Sam and Tammy Plants and is a senior at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School. He has participated in the Science Olympiad and Science Fair, is editor of the school paper, and was nominated for the Chip Henry Memorial Humanitarian Award. He has been in 4-H for 9 years as a member of Geauga Beef and Swine, 1 year as a Junior Leader, is a member of GHPA and AQHA, and has been a member of Junior Fair Board for 3 years. Tyler has also been a 4-H camp counselor. He has worked with seniors at Briar Cliff assisted living, delivered Meals on Wheels, worked with the Kinetico Relay for Life benefit dinner, and participated in Operation Evergreen project by donating a fully decorated tree that would raise money to provide Christmas trees for veterans. Tyler is currently employed as a host at Cabana’s Island Restaurant in Chardon.
Daniel Takacs
Daniel is the son of Steve and Maria Takacs from Newbury and is a senior at Notre Dame – Cathedral Latin High School, where he has taken honors and AP classes and plays football, hockey, and lacrosse. He is a member of Greener Fields and Hare Raisers 4-H clubs, Boy Scouts (working on his Eagle Scout project), and Student Leadership Advisory Panel. Through all of the organizations he is involved in, he has accumulated 80-plus service hours since his freshman year. Currently Daniel is coordinating a food and fund raiser with Dr. Augie Kellis and his 4-H club through Geauga Hunger Task Force. Daniel has shown rabbits, chickens, ducks, and turkeys. Daniel works in marketing for Student Painters and as a file clerk at the Kellis Eye Center.
Trent Weber
Trent is the son of Ted and Donna Weber and is a senior at Chardon High School, where he is active in the Marching Band, and Auburn Career Center for Landscape Horticulture. He competed in the Landscaper’s Challenge in Columbus where he and his team placed second. Trent has been active in Boy Scouts for 10 years and has served in many leadership roles, attended camp-outs, and helped plan events. He achieved Eagle Scout rank in 2015. He has been involved in 4-H for 13 years and is a member of All Cooped Up, Thompson Ledge Dairymen, Junior Leaders, and is a member of Junior Fair Board. He has shown chickens, turkeys, and dairy cows. Trent is currently employed by The Pattie Group and plans to attend either ATI/Wooster or Penn State for Landscape Horticulture.
Max Wolf
Max is the son of Mike and Jennifer Wolf of Chesterland. He graduated this past year from Auburn School with honors, receiving a Construction Tech Certificate. While at Auburn, he was a project manager, overseeing the management and completion of 2 houses built through the school. Max is currently taking classes at Lakeland and finishing with an intent towards a business administration degree from Cleveland State. He is currently working full time and taking his summer classes. Max enjoys riding dirt bikes and fishing with friends. In the past, Max raised lambs, turkeys and ducks. This year he is raising hogs and chickens through his 4-H club, Feathers and Fleece.
This article is brought to you by The Great Geauga County Fair
