Clinton County Community Foundation recognized as ’24 ‘Friend of the Fair,’ receives state and federal commendations
By Christopher Miller
MACKEYVILLE – Representatives from the Clinton County Community Foundation were on hand Saturday afternoon to receive the 2024 Friend of the Fair Award from the Clinton County Fair Board and commendations from PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, State Senator Cris Dush, State Representative Stephanie Borowicz, and Senator Bob Casey.
“On behalf of Secretary Redding I am giving the Friend of the Fair Award to the Clinton County Community Foundation to honor their outstanding volunteers and community supporters for supporting the fair which would not be able to happen without their dedication and the dedication of our volunteer fair coordinators,” said Tracy Barone a representative of Secretary Redding’s office.
“With 107 fairs statewide, we are so very grateful for your support which is so very critical as the fair works to modernize infrastructure and continues to maintain public water lines, electrical, various outbuilding renovations, and continues to bring new things to help the fair prosper over the years such as the entrance sign, billboard electric, portable bleachers, fencing, public restrooms, and even the ceiling above our heads here in the Main Stage. We appreciate it, and we appreciate you.”
Speaking on behalf of the Community Foundation, board member Elizabeth Arnold thanked the fair board for bestowing the coveted Friend of the Fair Award on the Foundation.
“We are so very honored. This award means so much to so many of us especially for those who have grown up coming to the fair, including my daughter who is now showing for the first time in 4-H, and this goes to show that fairs carry on throughout the generations which is so very special to me and to all of us,” she said.
“I saw a gentleman in the crowd wearing a shirt that shows a cornfield as seen from the front windshield of a tractor with the words “this is the view from my office.” This reminded me of the importance of hard work and the sacrifice of our farmers and yes, I am a very proud farmer’s wife, and we must applaud the work of our farmers and the businesses that support agriculture in our county, state, and country…bravo.”
“The Community Foundation and the Fair have grown up together, this is the 51st fair and the 55th year of the Community Foundation, and we have a very important partnership, thank you to those who have provided ‘forever gifts’ to the fair especially the Kyle Family and the Gummo Family, whose gifts to the foundation support the fair today and for years to come,” Arnold concluded.
State Senator Cris Dush and State Representative Stephanie Borowicz also presented the foundation with commendations from the state senate and house, respectively. As well, a representative of Senator Bob Casey’s office provided the foundation with a letter honoring the foundation and congratulating them for the work they have done in the community and for the fair.
Philip Courter, the Fair Board President, also thanked the Community Foundation for supporting the fair and their generous donations throughout the years.
