Commissioners pay seniors, vets way to fair

Thursday

free again

FREMONT - Senior citizens and veterans will be visiting the Sandusky County Fair free on Thursday, which is also Whirlpool Day.

Chris Farson said Monday that the Sandusky County Commissioners agreed to pick up the tab of having the seniors and veterans attend. Normally, 1,500 senior citizens and veterans attend on the free day of the fair, she said.

After articles ran in area newspapers last week that the Sandusky County Ag Society board was going to charge a $2 admission fee for seniors and veterans for the first time, the Sandusky County Commissioners announced on Aug. 14 that they would provide additional financial assistance to the fair.

"The board of commissioners has always supported seniors and veterans in our county in many ways, and we felt this was something we could step up and offer to do in order to honor these county residents who have contributed so much to our community," noted Brad Smith, president of the board of commissioners, in a press release.

While the Sandusky County Ag Society is an independent organization, the commissioners have provided small contributions to the Ag society including insurance, Community Development Block grant funding, the use of the Inmate Work Program and other services, according to the release.

"To end this tradition would be a disgrace," Commissioner Dan Liskai noted about charging senior citizens and vets on their special day at the fair, "and I am proud that we might be able to help keep that from happening."

"We've had a good working relationship with the Fair Board, and hope our offer will assist Sandusky County in putting on another great fair this year," Commissioner Terry Thatcher said.

Other admissions also increased this year at the fair.