Outstanding Fairs Honored at 92nd Annual Convention
- Fifty-six awards were given to top agricultural fairs -
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson recently presented awards to 56 of the state’s top county, regional and state agricultural fairs. They were recognized with the Merit Award for outstanding achievement during the 2013 fair season. More than 900 people attended the Fairs Merit Awards recognition dinner during the 92nd Annual Convention of the Tennessee Association of Fairs (TAF) held January 16 - 18 in Nashville.
The top award went to the Overton County Fair in Livingston when it was named the Champion of Champions Fair for 2013. The Overton County Fair was also recognized by Johnson and TAF President Stephen Potter, with the “Award of Merit” based on overall operations, educational value and promotion of local interest in agriculture and community spirit.
“Fairs are a wonderful way for families to bond and create life-long memories while experiencing the best our farms and communities have to offer,” said Johnson. “Our Tennessee fairs have a positive impact on local economies as well as on agriculture and education.”
The annual awards are sponsored by TDA and TAF, the state organization representing Tennessee’s fair industry.
2013 Fair Winners
Division A
State Champion: Sequatchie County Fair
1st runner-up: Fentress County Agricultural Fair
2nd runner-up: Trousdale County Fair
Most Improved: Benton County Fair
Division AA
State Champion: Rhea County Fair
1st runner-up: Hardin County Fair
2nd runner-up: Middle Tennessee District Fair
Most Improved: Dickson County Fair
Division AAA
State Champion Williamson County Fair
1st runner-up: Greene Country Fair
2nd runner-up: Wilson County Fair
Most Improved: Anderson County Fair
Premiere Awards (Previous Winners’ Category)
Champion of Champion: Henry County Fair
Division AA: Cocke County Fair
Division AAA: Sevier County Fair
In the Regional Division, the Appalachian Fair and the Tennessee Valley Fair received “Award of Merit.” The Tennessee State Fair also received “Award of Merit” based on overall fair operations. The regional fairs and the State Fair are not in competition with the county fairs for awards.
In 2013, almost three million visitors attended county, regional, and state fairs in Tennessee. Fairs in Tennessee generated more than $12 million in gross receipts last year. More than 14,700 volunteers from 63 fairs in the state devoted valuable time, resources and energy to fairs which had more than 130,000 agricultural exhibits, and more than 32,000 agricultural exhibitors showcasing livestock, farm crops and other agricultural exhibits.
The 16th Annual Fair Showcase, a statewide competition held during the convention, consisted of more than 400 entries from 38 fairs in 39 categories. Fairs competed for prize money, trophies and ribbons sponsored by the TDA and the TAF. Categories ranged from fair catalogs, websites and educational displays, to promotional videos, posters, scrapbooks, creative ideas and free-standing & table-top exhibits. To see a list of these winners, visit www.picktnproducts.org or www.tnfairs.com.