COLUMBUS—The 2022 Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board has been announced. The Junior Fair Board (JFB) is comprised of brilliant young leaders from across the state who contribute to the success of the Ohio State Fair. Each member is selected to represent their respective organizations, including 4-H, FFA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts of America, Farm Bureau, and Tech Ed. The individuals from these organizations represent thousands of involved youth throughout Ohio.
An addition made in 2019 that will continue for years to come is the integration of members at large. Members at large are selected regardless of organization. This position affords all youth involved in the previously mentioned organizations an equal opportunity to be represented on the Ohio State Fair JFB.
The JFB’s contribution to the success of each Ohio State Fair is irreplaceable.
Virgil Strickler, general manager of the Ohio State Fair, recognizes the impact of these ambitious youth, saying, “The Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board is comprised of eager young leaders who have demonstrated their dedication to the state of Ohio through their respective organizations. This opportunity will help these youth expand upon their leadership skills and contribute to the success of this year’s Ohio State Fair.”
Throughout the 12 days of the Fair, July 27 – Aug. 7, 2022, the 19 JFB members can be spotted throughout the grounds in their blue polo shirts welcoming officials to livestock shows, performances, the daily parade presented by AAA Ohio Auto Club, and other exhibits. JFB members can also be found throughout the Fair helping with the Monster Mural, assisting with the Little Farmers exhibit, and selling Fair memorabilia. In addition to these tasks, the JFB adds an instrumental level of helpful customer service, friendly faces, enthusiastic personalities, and a fresh perspective to each day of the Fair.
This year’s Ohio State Fair Junior Fair Board is comprised of 19 highly accomplished individuals ages 16 – 20 from across the state, including a handful of second-year members:
Whitney Bauman, Vice President
FFA
Second Year
Otway (Scioto County)
Sia Bavishi, Public Relations Officer
At-Large
Second Year
Westlake (Cuyahoga County)
Riley Bronnert
Tech Ed
Second Year
Hamilton (Butler County)
Josie Burke
FFA
Waterford (Washington County)
Grant Dunn
Tech Ed
Second Year
Hamilton (Butler County)
Elizabeth Fannin
4-H
Jackson (Jackson County)
Carter Freeman
Boy Scouts
Grover City (Franklin County)
Haven Hileman, President
4-H
Second Year
Stout (Scioto County)
Marissa Johnston
Girl Scouts
Lewis Center (Delaware County)
Julia Joos
Tech Ed
Dublin (Franklin County)
Melina Matics
4-H
Marietta (Washington County)
Adrianna Meyer
Farm Bureau
Swanton (Fulton/Lucas County)
Sara Newsome
4-H
Hillsboro (Highland County)
Erica Patterson
At-Large
Findlay (Hancock County)
Zach Romero
4-H
McComb (Hancock County)
Emily Scaff
At-Large
McDermott (Scioto County)
Landon Shelpman
FFA
Springfield (Clark County)
Matthew Swearingen, Secretary
At-Large
Second Year
West Union (Adams County)
Zachary Zweibel
Farm Bureau
Second Year
Lima (Allen County)
For more information, visit ohiostatefair.com, call 1-888-OHO-EXPO or 1-614-644-FAIR.