Dear Editor,
History tells us the first Ashland County Fair was organized and held in 1851; several years following the establishment and/or incorporation of the 12 cities making up Ashland County today.
This was a full 10 years before the start of the American Civil War.
Just try to imagine the number of County citizens and, particularly, the young people who have participated in and enjoyed the activities and events over those many years.
The County Fair is the one event that brings all of us together and allows us to better understand the many roles we play in the County.
At least once a year, I believe city folks and country folks come together and, and like the crops in the field, grow to realize that we are dependent on one another.
In 2026, the Ashland County Fair will celebrate its 175th anniversary.
With the help and support of all County residents, businesses, corporations, and organizations, we will dedicate a new Civic Center facility that will serve the Fair and the County for many, many years to come. It will replace Mozelle Hall, the Hobby Building and the Restroom/Shower House on the west end of Mozelle Hall.
Mozelle Hall, built in 1955, served the Community as a Roller Rink, in its earlier years, and has been the Fair’s primary exhibition area since the 1980s.
It is a cement block structure with wooden flooring that holds moisture and causes the floor to swell, distort and emit a musty smell in the summer. In the winter, the four large overhead heaters are noisy and inadequate.
In short, it lacks ventilation, insulation, air conditioning and heating.
Likewise, the Hobby Building began as a grandstand for the Ashland Racetrack, then moved twice and ended up in its current location in the 1970’s. It has reached its limit for photography and hobby displays.
The Hobby Building does not have heating, air conditioning, or insulation. And, of course, the Restroom/Shower House lacks adequate heating and has to be shut down and drained when the temperature drops below freezing.
The new Civic Center will address these shortcomings and allow the Fair Board to better serve the entire County.
As a new and more modern exhibition area, it will definitely enhance the Ashland County Fair and will also provide additional opportunities throughout the year for the residents, businesses and organizations throughout Ashland County.
What we do now in 2024 and 2025 will clearly set the stage for the future. Together, we can make a difference.
As Charles F. Kettering, one of our most distinguished Ashland County citizens, said, “We should all be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there.”
Now, is the time, to make the new Ashland County Fair’s Civic Center a reality!
Gene Haberman
Campaign Committee Member