The PA Department of Agriculture Friend of the Fair Program recognizes and acknowledges the hard work and dedication put forth by fair volunteers. Recipients are individuals (or groups) who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, volunteerism and dedication, resulting in a significant contribution to the success of the local fair.
Earl James (Jim) and Florence Boop,
2017 Friend of the Fair
August 2018 — Jim had been a fair member for so long that no one can really remember when he started. Jim makes his way around the fair helping wherever he is needed including the construction of the stage roof and our beautiful show arena. He works with the Lions Club Bingo and enjoys “ruffling the ladies feathers” with his wonderful sense of humor.
Jim is dedicated to helping future agriculturists by attending the Livestock Sale and purchasing animals. His purchases have helped many children build their future in farming or with college expenses.
In the 1980’s, Florence (Floss) would help with the manual entry of exhibits and typing the exhibit tags and judges’ sheets. When the fair began using computers, Floss would help in the office, handing out tickets and answering phones. She always greets you with a lovely smile and kind words.
In addition to her office duties, Floss helped bake pies and cakes in the Lutheran Church Stand took orders and served food during the week of the fair. If her children couldn’t find her there, she was probably in the Mifflinburg Band Boosters stand when her 3 daughters were active in the band.
The George and Priscilla Chick Family,
2017 Friend of the Fair
August 11, 2017 — The Chick family has been involved with the fair for many decades. Both George and Priscilla served on the fair board in officer positions and as department superintendents. George’s love of sheep and lambs made him the perfect person to run that department. In the community, Priscilla was a 4-H leader. She inspired the children in her club to live by the motto “To Make the Best Better.” In the exhibit building, Priscilla was busy helping with entries and needlecraft. She also helped in the office until her health prevented her from doing so.
During this time, their children Brian, Linda and Steve were building a bond with the fair as well. They exhibited animals through 4-H and FFA and helped their parents where they could at the fair. Eventually, the Chick children would become adults and with jobs and marriages, they moved from the area. However, that bond with the fair didn’t end. Brian, Linda and Steve have kept their parents spirit alive within our fair community by creating 2 awards in George and Priscilla’s memory — the George L. Chick Best Breeding Sheep Award and the Priscilla S. Chick Best of Show Needlework award.
Betty Jane Mincemoyer, 2016 Friend of the Fair
August 5, 2016 — 2016 Friend of the Fair honoree Betty Jane Mincemoyer with her daughter Beth Mincemoyer Egan, daughter-in-law Claudia, granddaughter Hanna, son Tom and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture State Fair Coordinator Zachary Gihorski.
Betty Jane Mincemoyer, age 90, began her lifelong love of agriculture and Pennsylvania’s Fairs as a child in Blair County. She participated in 4-H until the time she enrolled in college. After college, Mrs. Mincemoyer took a job as a home economist with the Penn State Extension which brought her to Union County in 1953. She began volunteering at the Union County West End Fair while in extension and soon met her husband, Donald. The newlyweds moved from Union County for a few years but came back and purchased a farm to raise their young family. By 1971, Betty Jane Mincemoyer was teaching Home Economics in the Mifflinburg High School. When asked, Mrs. Mincemoyer has said her greatest achievement at the Union County West End Fair was getting the younger generation involved and interested in the fair.