Wesner receives Ashland County Fair Director of the Year honors

ASHLAND — Martin Wesner introduced Susan Stake, the 2025 Ashland County Fair Director of the Year, without knowing he would promptly be brought back up to the podium with her.

Stake was introduced to announce the 2026 Ashland County Fair Director of the Year award during Sunday’s opening ceremonies.

“Last year I had a wonderful year of being your Outstanding Director of the Year,” she said, leading into details of this year’s winner.

“This year’s Director of the Year is a very dedicated man, to this county, to this country, to our community and especially to the Ashland County Fair,” Stake said. “Along with his family and friends, they have been a part of this Ashland County Fair for many years.”

Wesner has participated in many fair activities over the years, including 4-H, FFA, shown animals, pulled tractors.

“(He) always had a place here,” Stake said. “He has served 21 years on our Fair Board. These last 11 years he has been our president.

“There are so many things I could stand up here and say about Marty (Wesner). He is excellent. He’s a good hunter, too, and a good person to talk to on the phone when he’s in the combine.”

Wesner was emotional as he accepted the award.

“I do love the Ashland County Fair. I couldn’t do it though without my family,” he said. “I just appreciate everybody that is here.

“It’s the thing everybody comes to. It brings everybody together.”

Local officials reflect on 175 years

Michael Welch still remembers showing calves 60 years ago at the Ashland County Fair.

Welch, an Ashland County commissioner, said his first year showing at the fair was 1966.

“I was dressed in whites and I was probably 4-feet-tall and about 3-feet-wide,” he said Sunday during the opening ceremonies of the 175th Ashland County Fair.

“I think the first show I got out there, before I even got there I got a good swat with a tail and had my whites a little on the dirty side. But I survived.

“I was so fortunate to be in 4-H. It helped teach responsibility and leadership and who knows, maybe there will be another one that spawns into a county commissioner that started out in 4-H down the road?” Welch said.

Wesner joked the first year Welch showed at fair was the same year he was born — eliciting laughter from the crowed gathered under the pavilion.

Other local dignitaries said a few words during Sunday’s opening ceremonies, including Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider, State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) and Ashland Mayor Matt Miller.

The state representative congratulated the county fair on its milestone of 175 years and presented fair officials with a celebratory proclamation.

“That really is incredible to think about (175 years),” she said, “all the people who have gone before us to make this an Ashland County tradition that brings people together to celebrate our number-one industry in the great state of Ohio which is agriculture.”

Wesner said the fair also received a proclamation from Gov. Mike DeWine.

Below are photos from opening day of the 175th Ashland County Fair. (Credit: Hayden Gray) This story continues below.

Fair managers highlight recent improvements

Ashland County Fair managers Cathy Rice and Barry Litten discussed projects and improvements made around the county fairgrounds thanks to a $200,000 state grant.

Those efforts included:

• Asphalt from Gate 1 to the cafeteria.
• New cement around the cafeteria.
• The drive by the Veterans Building was torn out and rebuilt.
• Renovations to the men’s restroom by Mozelle Hall.

Rice said projects completed through the fair board’s allocation this year included concrete floor in the Buckeye Barn, siding on the back of the dairy barn, new doors on the coliseum, a new transformer in Clouser Campground and the Grange Building will get a new roof after this year’s fair.

“The Ashland Cattlemen’s donation helped get LED lights installed in the beed and dairy barns,” Rice added.

Below are more photos from Sunday at the Ashland County Fair. Credit: Hayden Gray