Amador Fair History
Harold Colburn presided over the first Board of Directors, and held the position of President for some twenty years, then continued on as a member of the Board until his retirement in 1985, a total of forty-seven years of service. In the early days, Harold used to get on the old crank two-piece phone and call the Governor’s office direct, and the Governor would answer! They would then discuss board member appointments and finances for the fair.
Many community leaders have served on the Board of Directors, appointed by the Governor to serve 4 year terms. Included in the list of those who have served are Martin Lubenko; Ben Sanguinetti; I. P. Ostrom; Sam Bonneau; Al Dickerson; Lester Wheeler; John Yager; Charles Winter; E. J. Votaw; Archie Fancher; Walter Steiner; Loren Bamert; Elias Day; Johnny Manassero; Bob Cooper; Sharkey Begovich; Lewis C. Yager; Fred Geis; Lucian Vaira; Leslie Pantle; Fred Spruance; Miss Louise Hall; John Huberty; Frank Berry; Sheldon Rodman; Roy E. Mason, DVM; Janice Taylor Howard; Norman Dal Porto; Sandra Strohm; Don Whitney; Libby Littlefield; Gary Arnese; David Mason III; Hap Evans; Marlene Linn; Verna Bowman; James Graves; Richard Forster; Sandra Frey; Jeannie Deaver; Stephen Zalkind and the present Board is Tim King, Charles Simmons, Frank Halvorson, Michael Boitano, Ciro Toma,, Robert Manassero, Marilyn Hoopes, Janice Taylor Howard, and Connie Mason.
First Fair held on site of current Plymouth Elementary Playground
The day to day management of the Fair has been provided by a surprisingly small number of people. Jim Loyd was the named manager when the Board was formed in 1938 with Ruth Cooper serving as Secretary. Goula Waite managed the Fair in 1941 and intermittently until 1954 when she was permanently appointed to serve as Secretary-Manager until 1965. She then she accepted the position of Exhibit Supervisor for the State of California, traveling to all the Fairs to audit their premium records and casting fear into the hearts of all entry clerks. During her tenure at the Amador County Fair she scoured the countryside to gather the pieces of history used in the construction of Frontier Town. The beveled glass window, the marble barber sink, the spectacular breakfront are all the results of her efforts. Her creative talents are responsible for the layout of the Fairgrounds which are ideal in terms of pedestrian traffic, vendor access and livestock and carnival needs. Her friendship with Evelyn Bishop gave the Fair a consummate volunteer who tended the flowers, oversaw the Junior Building exhibits, promoted 4-H throughout the County, and established the standard for landscaping that continues to delight Fair patrons today. Evelyn gave of her time until the age of 90 when she finally retired. Although she departed this life in 1993, those who knew her well will tell you that stepping in the flower beds or wading in “Evelyn’s Pond” can still bring down her wrath.
Louise Hall, Home Economics teacher at Amador High School and long time member of the Board of Directors, was also extremely instrumental in the promotion of still exhibits for both adults and youth. Miss Hall’s legacy continues at the Fair and throughout the community in the volunteer spirit which makes the Amador County Fair so special.
Standing left to right: Martin Lubenko, Carelton Winter, Al Dickson, John Yager, and Jake kRoos
Seated left to right: Lester Wheeler, Harold Colburn (Chairman), Ruth Cooper (Secretary & mother of subequent manager Dick Cooper), Jim Loyd (Manager), Sam Bonneau, and I.P. Ostrom
In 1966 Dick Cooper assumed the reins of the Fair, overseeing the grounds and the event through 1971. His interest in antique equipment can be seen today during the Fair in the actual operation of the Saw Mill which he acquired. Dick today is a well recognized member of the Sheandoah Valley wine grape growers and vintners, participating in the Friday night Wine Tasting. His newly opened winery has already garnered an award winning reputation, an accomplishment he can add to his standing as a band leader, renown in the area.
Pete Scott accepted the position in 1972 bringing his extensive creative talents. The architectural facet was manifest in the original Wine Garden, a unique facility for a Fair, as well as the covered bridge, the “old well” drinking fountains, and the rustic Main Gate facade. The artist gift can be seen in the varied and distinctive posters produced by his hand. When he left in 1977 he took a position at the California State Fair where he continued to create unusual and provocative exhibits.
Ralph Clark followed in 1978 serving as Chief Executive Officer until his retirement at the end of 2004. During his management of 27 Fairs, he encouraged and facilitated community participation, the level of which is envied by all of California’s small Fairs. As a nationally recognized cattle judge, he was able to generated significant interim use of the Fairgrounds by the Livestock Stock community, bringing many shows and sales to the County. During his term, he served on the Board of Western Fairs Association, an organization established to protect and promote the Fair industry in the West. He was elected to the organizations presidency in 1989 and inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2003 for his distinguished service and leadership in the Fair Industry.
Director Ciro Toma, first appointed to the Amador County Fair Board of Directors in 1974 has also been so honored by the Western Fairs Association, serving as their President in 2001 and joining the Hall of Fame in 2004. He is only the second Board member to hold the position.
All of the members of the Board have given their time and talents and energy to the Fair, helping secure its position as a cherished element of the County. They continue to do so.