From the Editor: Community enjoys return to state fair traditions

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HARRINGTON — Of the quotes from our Delaware State Fair coverage in the past 10 days, this editor’s favorite came from Delaware State Grange President Jim Correll.


His words spoke to the tradition, community spirit and resilience of the fair.


The Grange’s food stand did not open last year because of the pandemic. But it was back — like most of the annual treasures of the fair — in 2021.


“What’s really gratifying is to hear people say, ‘We come every year,’” Mr. Correll said. “They’ve been waiting two years for that chicken dinner.”


The Grange is a fraternal organization that supports local agriculture and education. It is an all-volunteer effort in preparing and serving chicken platters.


Not all of the fair traditions returned. But most did.
It will take a few days for fair staff to compile final numbers, but it appears they will be good.


“If you can circle it, highlight it and showcase it, the community participation would be a big part of the response to this year’s Delaware State Fair,” said Danny Aguilar, its assistant general manager.


A walk through the ice arena included an extraordinary number of entries from the young people involved in 4-H and FFA programs.
And the barns were filled with smiles and livestock — though animals were brought in at different times, unlike being there for the duration of the fair, as had been done in the past.


“We were more in a recovery of participation in the exhibits, but we’re anticipating 2022 will fully return to the offerings,” said Mr. Aguilar.


As fair weather goes, it was hot some days. But it was dry, and that always boosts attendance, Mr. Aguilar added.


The July 24 attendance was just shy of 50,000, he said.
In 2019, the fair had a record Saturday, with 54,000 admissions.


***


One of the lingering stories of the pandemic, for pretty much all businesses, has been finding workers.


Mr. Aguilar said it was a challenge for the fair staff and for several vendors, too.


Many members of the fair’s team worked double shifts.


“We really prioritize the cleanliness of the grounds and the maintenance,” Mr. Aguilar said. “Oftentimes, those are the two categories that take the first hit.”


An additional challenge for the event, he said, is the wages.
“As a 501(c)3 (nonprofit), we have a finite budget, and we’re not able to move into the $15 to $18 dollars an hour,” he said. “We have to (work) within the parameters.”


***


There were reminders that the fair has not fully stepped away from pandemic concerns.


At the grandstand shows, pods — with four chairs in each — looked like baseball on-deck circles.


Saturday’s concert, headlined by Christian artist Zach Williams, was canceled due to the singer contracting COVID-19.


“The live-entertainment industry is going to be back and forth between bus drivers and crew members,” said Mr. Aguilar.


***


While awaiting a kettle corn order, I asked Henry Towner, the owner/operator, how it felt to be back at fairs and traveling again.
He said he never really stopped.


“I’m from Florida,” he said, pausing, “ … or another name for it, Freedom.”


***


One of the joys of the fair is its nostalgia.


The Grange feature we published last Sunday brought back some fond memories for Carolyn O’Neal.


Her mother, Mabel O’Neal, came up with the idea of a stand for the Grange in the early 1960s. She shared the photo accompanying today’s column.


You can see the sodas they sold on the counter.


“My father, Andrew, was deputy state treasurer at the time and worked at the State House on The Green in Dover,” she said. “We lived in Laurel. I remember he would stop back at the fair after work and load up all the empty Pepsi bottles from the day. The next morning, he would take them to Salisbury (Maryland) and exchange them for full cases.”


Mrs. O’Neal worked there late into the night. Aunts were babysitters for Carolyn in the camping area.


“In the evening, I would fall asleep on the huge back seat of our black Buick and wake up in my bed the next morning,” she said.
Carolyn’s parents were members of different Grange chapters — her mother with Capital in Dover and her father with Broad Creek in Laurel.


“That is how they met,” Carolyn said. “After a six-week courtship they married on Dec. 7, 1952. The reception was at the Capital Grange Hall.”


Andrew West is executive editor of the Delaware State News. He makes daily reading recommendations with the “Daybreak” newsletter. Sign up at BaytoBayNews.com.

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