Success StoryMercer County Fair



Mercer County Fair

Author: Linda McClanahan

Planning Unit: Mercer County CES

Major Program: Economic Development

Plan of Work: Agriculture and Horticulture

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

In light of COVID-19, Mercer County Cooperative Extension Agents and staff teamed up with Mercer County Fair & Horse Show Board and Mercer County FFA to develop a plan that would allow Mercer County to continue with its long standing, rich tradition of the county fair.  Mercer County 4-H and ANR agents worked diligently with Mercer County FFA advisors to develop a set of guidelines which would allow the livestock shows to happen safely for exhibitors and staff alike.  Then they worked with the Mercer County Health Department and Mercer County Judge Executive to get the plan approved.  One of the key pieces of this plan was requiring pre-registration of all entries (livestock and floral hall).  Pre-registration was handled through an online entry company which allowed shows to run more efficiently, keep staff/volunteers/exhibitors safe and increase transparency of recordkeeping.  In addition, this system allowed results to be published faster and allowed needed reports to be completed faster. The Mercer County Fair & Horse Show collaboration is a major part of economic development efforts completed by the Mercer County Extension Office and is an important economic driver for our community. This was one of the few county fairs conducted and even with necessary restrictions numbers of exhibitors and entries from most of the shows matched or exceeded previous years.






Stories by Linda McClanahan


Homesteading Series

about 5 months ago by Linda McClanahan

As a result of requests for specific programming, the ANR, FCS and HORT agents teamed up to start a ... Read More


Field Day Follow-Up on Composting

about 6 months ago by Linda McClanahan

Do we make an impact when we have educational activities like field days? First consider that impact... Read More


Stories by Mercer County CES


Beekeeping 2.0

Beekeeping 2.0

about 5 months ago by Jessica Bessin

The Beekeeping 2.0 educational class series, developed in response to community feedback following t... Read More


Pumpkin Fun

Pumpkin Fun

about 6 months ago by Tara Duty

The Mercer County FCS Agent partnered with the Mercer County Horticulture Agent and Senior NEP Assis... Read More