Wayne County Fairgrounds — Local services in Wooster

If there were a negative star, I would hit it. MATT the fair secretary is horrible. 110% a horrible person. 200% unprofessional. He lied and lied some more, then lied to cover up lies. He was the WRONG choice to run the FG. Clueless. The administration under Pete Armstrong was bad before but now, it is sooooo much worse. Matt knowingly employs thieves, then has over 50 spigots stolen? Serious. The admin is not blind to the thieving. There has been a serious history of it. Pete Armstrong was aware and did nothing about it. Now Matt knows has openly refused to put surveillance in place. Its not the first time, or second, or 42nd.....hmm, Maybe they just like the insurance payouts? Matt will openly victim shame and tell you that a camera wont catch any one. "Cameras dont catch anyone, they only show what happened after the fact" quote, Matt 2021. The vandalism has cost people there thousands. Trucks, cars, stolen and burnt, barn break ins, office break ins, saddles and equipment stolen, money stolen from the office, maintenance building break ins, squatters,...... A child was abducted from the fair, and killed years ago - yet STILL no surveillance. WHAT! I have shown up three consecutive mornings to talk with Matt at 9.05, 9:08, 9:03 am, only to find he has not even shown up for work yet. I didnt wait around. It is a male dominated association. 1 woman, to 20+ men on the board. See the attached board photo. And there is not a list of board members on the web site - like other counties do. WHY? Richard Mairs DVM, a 20+ year board member and appointed "Race Secretary" is 100% is double dipping by employing his practice as the attending vet, during the fair. This has been happening for years upon years. Richard and his veterinary practice are financially benefitting from his seat on the board and he should be immediately removed. From a board standpoint, this should be unethical practice for a seat member. He and his late father have done this for years under the hat of Pete Armstrong, so apparently Richard getting his financial bump from the fairboard seat, was simply grandfathered in by Matt. After talking to other vet clinics - "you cant get the vet work over there Rich has that wrapped up," was the most common comment. Fair Vet, or board member/race secretary, but he should NOT be both. If the board is knowingly allowing this, then there is more unethical practice from the Ag Society than one could begin to realize. The same rules dont apply to everyone. Matt will allow one to do what he told another they cannot do. There is absolutely no consistency. He judges people , and make decisions based on gossip he hears. He has turned away good local business and THOUSANDS in income to the Ag Society, completely based on gossip. It is seriously a joke and a very sad joke at that. Matt has only been in his position a short time so his professional opinions should not be based on hear-say, if he was actually a true "professional". The Wayne county AG society, not an equal opportunity board. They do NOT support small businesses unless you are renting a spot. On the day to day basis, the fair ground is run by an individual opinion - like children, based on gossip. The grounds and board really needs a serious revamp. Better interviewing practices, and preference to minority owned businesses owned by LOCAL county residents. This is 2022, more equal opportunities for minorities and women. The board should also, choose to employ experienced, NON biased PROFESSIONALS to represent and manage the fair office and Ag Society. My prayers are...

The wayne county fair is the biggest disappointment of all of the fairs I have attended. First and foremost they do not mow the parking area so the mosquito population is absolutely ridiculous! If you were not short on blood before coming you will be by the time you leave. They obviously have not heard of bat houses. There is no rhyme or reason to the parking and if you are disabled get there early or stay home!! The handicapped parking is inadequate as well as the handicapped seating at the stands for any event. The handicapped seating is behind 8 rows of chairs not much lower than the handicapped row and the people seated in those 8 rows for the most part are the rudest I have ever seen. Some of the people behind the handicapped row asked the people in the front to sit down and their response was. I can't see unless I stand because these people in front are standing. The announcer should remind people they need to sit down! There is no reason one of the front sections could not be made handicapped and let those people sit where they may or put handicapped on the isles of the front sections. If you are on the board for the fair try sitting in the sections marked handicapped and watching an event, or at least try. And a main event in the middle of the week??? Wow. Maybe the future will be better. The entire fair grounds seemed disorganized and only specific restrooms had handicapped facilities. Better find them first thing so you know...

One of the best fairs to attend in Ohio. A true Agricultural Fair. Any Resident in Wayne County Ohio can participate in any of the competitions. But any person can enjoy the fair. General admission this year 2018 is $4 per person. Senior citizens (65+) with ID get in free on Wednesday. Veterans with ID get in free on Tuesday. School children get in free on Monday Fair Day. Children 6 and under get in free any day. season tickets can be purchased by anyone for $20 and that includes six tickets to the fair. If you get your hand stamped before you leave you can return on the same day for free. The fair itself is always Begins the next weekend following Labor Day. The fairgrounds are used for a multitude of other things during the rest of the year from auctions, community events and flea markets. The Wayne County Fair board does a great job of the event planning making this space well utilized...