The McLean County Fair was deemed a success by fair manager, Mike Swartz. After a “minimal” fair last year due to COVID, Swartz was very excited to see the success that the fair had this year. Last year, the fair only consisted of a private junior livestock show and seven total vendors for a food fest. With less COVID restrictions this summer, the McLean County Fair was back and better than ever. Swartz said that “Saturday was the biggest Saturday I’ve ever seen in my 17 years as the fair manager.” 

Mike Swartz said he sees this year’s fair as a success all around. One of his favorite partnerships from this year's fair came from the Ya Bud Club. This was the second year that the Ya Bud Club partnered with the fair. The Ya Bud Club is a charitable organization that was established in honor of 2017 Tri-Valley High School graduate David D. Stiles. David passed away in a car accident in 2017 at the age of 19. The Ya Bud Club raises money for scholarship funds in his name. This partnership was great for both Swartz and David’s parents, so the Ya Bud Club can grow their fundraiser. 

Another successful partnership of the fair was all of the food vendors. What’s a good county fair without great fair food? There was no shortage of lemonade shake ups or funnel cakes at this year’s McLean County Fair. With a full court for the first time in two years, fairgoers and vendors were united again. Swartz says that the McLean County Fair’s vendors keep coming back, only having to replace one or two every year. 

As a part of the fundraiser this year at the fair, there was a concert on Thursday and Friday night. Popular country musician Jameson Rodgers played on Thursday night. On Friday, rock-n-roll artists Head East and Black Stone Cherry performed. On Saturday, the Demolition Derby took place and was the “biggest grandstand event” for yet another year. Swartz said there was, “standing room only,” at the derby. 

The McLean County Fair had a lot of participants, and one group that stood out in this year’s successful fair was the Olympia Pacesetters 4-H Club. The club participated in the opening flag raising ceremony, won best of class for their club display, worked at the Timeless Clovers Sundae booth, exhibited numerous award-winning projects and closed the fair with the flag lowering ceremony. The Olympia Pacesetters 4-H Club also had many members receive best of show, reserve best of show, best of class and reserve best of class on their project exhibits.

Some specific participants from the Olympia Pacesetters 4-H Club include Kaitlynn Whitecotton, Sierra Whitecotton, Lauren Burkhart, Anna Dawson, and Gavin Ballard. Starting with Kaitlynn, she was able to earn thirty blue ribbons, four red ribbons, four Best of Class ribbons, seven Reserve Best of Class ribbons, and State Fair Delegate. She was awarded on anything from a Wearable Art Tie Dye Shirt to a Photo Collage of Dream Garden. Kaitlynn who is 14 years old and from Danvers said, “This year’s fair was a great experience for me. I took over 30 projects and was very happy with the results and am looking forward to the State Fair.”

Sierra Whitecotton, 12 years old from Danvers, also had a great McLean County Fair. Winning twenty-two blue ribbons, four red ribbons, four Reserve Best of Class ribbons, and State Fair Delegate. Sierra earned ribbons in anything from photography to nut bread. Sierra had this to say about her experience at the fair this year, “It was a great fair. Some of the projects really challenged me this year but classes I took during the COVID shutdown gave me lots of ideas.”

Lauren Burkhart is only 8 years old from Stanford and is a first-year member of the Olympia Pacesetters 4-H Club. Lauren earned eleven blue ribbons, one Best of Class ribbon, four Reserve Best of Class ribbons, and State Fair Delegate. Lauren earned ribbons in many different areas ranging from Cake Decorating to Beef Cattle. Lauren said, “It was a really great and exciting first year for me.” 

Anna Dawson is 13 years old from Stanford and in her sixth year as a member of the Olympia Pacesetters 4-H Club. Anna was awarded with five blue ribbons, two Best of Class ribbons, two Reserve Best of Class ribbons and State Fair Delegate. She won awards such as Sewing Shorts and even Vegetables. Anna said, “It was stressful getting ready for the fair, as always, but it was worth the effort! I can’t wait for the fair next year.” 

Lastly, Gavin Ballard, 11 years of age from Danvers won five blue ribbons, two Best of Class ribbons, two Reserve Best of class Ribbons, Reserve Best of Show and State Fair Delegate. Gavin won awards in anything from Legos to Geology. Gavin said, “I had fun working on my projects and I learned a lot from the judges. I am looking forward to going to the state fair for my vegetable plates.” 

The McLean County Fair was a big success for everyone, especially the Olympia Pacesetters 4-H Club. The Club’s Display even won a blue ribbon and a Best of Class ribbon. The junior leaders of the club put together the display to reflect upon the club’s accomplishments. The McLean County Fair is all about accomplishments, and it was only right that the Olympia Pacesetters 4-H Club Display won the blue ribbon, after some of their members had so many exciting accomplishments at the fair.