Minnesota Federation of County Fairs Holds Annual Meeting

The Minnesota Federation of County Fairs (MFCF) Annual Meeting was held Jan. 16-18, 2009, at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington, Minn. Nearly 1,375 fair officials attended the meeting. The theme of the meeting was "Minnesota County Fairs Shine in 2009." The convention was hosted by the MFCF, the Minnesota State Agricultural Society, and the Midwest ShowmenÕs Association.

A total of 14 workshops and 11 Information Byways were held, including a Consumer Protection Program workshop that hosted 71 representatives from 40 fairs. IAFE Director of Grants and Special Education Marla Calico presented "We're All in This Together" during the Director Breakfast. A total of 97 entries made up the Communication Contest.

At the Awards Luncheon, Joleen Brown presented "It's a Jungle Out There." Gene Girth of Mille Lacs County Fair received the 2009 Distinguished Service Award and the Life Member Award. Blue Earth County's Kent Thiesse was named the 2009 recipient of the Friend of County Fairs Award. The winners of the Fair Person of the Year Award were Fran Hoven of Goodhue County Fair, Zumbrota, Minn.; Mike Ahlers of Anoka County Fair, Anoka, Minn.; Dennis Beise of Wright County Fair, Delano, Minn.; Denny Baker of Kandiyohi County Fair, Willmar, Minn.; IAFE Zone 4 Director Ron Oleheiser of the Itasca County Fair, Grand Rapids, Minn.; and Michael Moore of the Polk County Fair, Fertile, Minn.

Robin Kinney of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture delivered the keynote address during the keynote luncheon on Sunday. The convention closed with the MFCF Annual Business Meeting.