Tennessee Association of Fairs Meets in Nashville

The 2008 Tennessee Association of Fairs (TAF) convention was held Jan. 17-19 at the Nashville Marriott Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. A total of 777 fair delegates and 70 associate members registered for the event. The convention’s theme was “Preserving the Past/Exploring the Future.”

Delegates were able to take advantage of a number of educational opportunities. IAFE Speaker Ron Beckey, retired from the North Florida Fair, Tallahassee, presented “Secrets on How Fairs Can Get Along Better With TV, Radio, and Newspaper.” Allyn Walker of the Dale Carnegie Organization presented “The Story of the Big Potato: A Lesson in Customer Service.” The Williamson County Fair, Franklin, demonstrated their event “Little 1’s Farmer.” Break out session topics included How to Be a Bad Official Visitor, Emergency Planning for Your Fair, Attracting Sponsors to Your Fair, and Rules for Concessionaires.

The association presented the Thornton Taylor Memorial Award to Johnny Bruff of the Obion County Fair, Union City. The Jimmy Floyd Memorial Award was presented to “Four on the Floor.” Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens presented Champion Fair and Most Improved Awards to many fairs at the association. Also at the convention, Tara Lee Zolfagharbik of the Henry County Fair, Paris, was crowned the 2008 Tennessee Fairest of the Fairs. The fair showcase featured 26 different categories of competition.  A total of 37 fairs participated with 297 entries.

The 2008 TAF officers are President Paul Finley of the Dyer County Fair, Dyersburg; Immediate Past President Richard Shadden of the Appalachian Fair, Gray; First Vice President Bill Phillips of the Middle Tennessee District Fair, Lawrenceburg; Second Vice President Lynn Tollett of the Cumberland County Fair, Crossville; Third Vice President Tommy Wheatley of the Obion County Fair; and Executive Secretary Emily Pitcock of the Lincoln County Fair, Fayetteville.

The 2008 board members are Shelly Stricklin, Ed Cuthbertson, Mike Evans, James Spears, Kim Mullins, Sally Wells, Everett Bolin, Stephen Potter, Karen Marshall, Scott Suchomski, Bill Whitson, Jim Rout, James Roy Pope, Rick Clark, and Charles Panacek, Jr.

The 2009 TAF convention will be held Jan. 15-17 at the Nashville Airport Marriott.