Charles and Irene Meade, Washington County Fair, Abingdon, VA
Presented January 9, 2010, Virginia Association of Fairs Conference
Portsmouth, VA, by Jane Thornhill, Russell County Fair (VAF FPoY 2009)

“The recipient of tonight’s award has given over 70 years of service to their local fair.  During this time many hats have been worn – ranging from treasurer to fairgrounds rentals; from maintaining the fair books to securing sponsors; from planning and development to advertizing; from school day coordinator to fair president.

In addition to a 12 month commitment to the fairgrounds, tonight’s recipient is well known for their professional ethics’ in business; and respective for over 25 years of honesty and integrity in sales, auctions and appraisals.  Also, admired for their involvement in the community and for their work in their church, including serving on the board of deacons for the church.  If you call on tonight’s recipient, as I have done many times, they will go out of the way to help you.

Tonight’s recipient faithfully attends Virginia Association of Fairs meetings and serves as a director.

Ms. Phyllis Griener says “working with this type of folks is the reason she will never retire.”

When I ask locals what they would say about tonight’s recipient and I quote, “the fair just wouldn’t happen without them”  ;  “They are a team”; “He’s a true gentleman”  “She works like a dog”  were echoed over and over.

I am honored tonight to award the fair person of the year award to a real team and my dear friends “Charles and Irene Meade” of Washington County Fair.