The PA Department of Agriculture Friend of the Fair Program (previously the Outstanding Fair Ambassador Program) recognizes and acknowledges the hard work and dedication put forth by fair volunteers. Friend of the Fair Award 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.
The George and Priscilla Chick Family,
2017 Friend of the Fair
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.