South Carolina and North Carolina Fair Associations Convene in Myrtle Beach

The South Carolina Association of Fairs (SCAF) and the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs held their combined annual convention Jan. 9-11, 2008, at the Kingston Plantation/Embassy Suites in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The convention hosted 425 registered delegates. There were 64 trade show exhibitors.

A keynote address was delivered by IAFE Speaker John Webb, Jr., president of the Georgia Association of Fairs. Webb’s presentation was titled “You and Your Fair Can Improve, and Should.” Nancy Smith of the South Carolina State Fair delivered her presentation on sponsorships. An update on zoonotic disease prevention was also held. Table topic discussions included Developing Off Season Business, Midway Safety, Evaluating Your Fair, and Concessions and Fairs Working Together.

The SCAF recognized the significant accomplishments made by fairs at an awards ceremony. The 2007 Physical Plant Award was presented to the Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair in Florence, S.C., and the Western Carolina State Fair in Aiken, S.C. The 2007 Fair Program Award was presented to the Piedmont Interstate Fair in Spartanburg, S.C., and the Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair. Nick Datillo of Nick’s Kid Show was named the 2008 Friend of the Fair.  Pete Briscoe of the Anderson County Fair, Anderson, S.C., was named the 2008 Fairman of the Year.

The 2008 SCAF officers are President Thomas “Ed” Hudson of the Sumter County Fair, Sumter; Immediate Past President Joe Bolchoz of the Coastal Carolina Fair, Ladson; President-Elect Jerry Pitts of the Coastal Carolina Fair; Secretary-Treasurer Bob Jones of the Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair; and Executive Director Sherri Bouknight.

The 2008 SCAF directors are Bill Terry, Warren Lucas, Lloyd Ivey, Mel Curtis, Alan Gregory, Terry Chapman, Tom Bergen, and Wayne Harmon.