The Butler County Fair Board in Poplar Bluff asks for volunteers’ aid to make sure future events come to fruition.
“One of the things I’ve seen in my 12 years here is Poplar Bluff is a small community with a big city feel,” past Board President Jack Altman said. “We all like the advantages of a big city and the closeness of a small town.”
“It’s hard to get people to volunteer,” he added. “Without volunteerism and people helping out, we can’t go forward. It takes a community of people to build and keep events going.”
Altman served seven years as a director for the Butler County Fair Board, six of those as president, he said.
“I want to see the fair board take strides and see it grow in coming years,” Altman said. “It’s time for me to step down and for the next generation to step up and take over.”
“People don’t realize what it takes to organize an event like the fair,” he added. “I hope people educate themselves so they understand what it takes to put forward an event like a fair, or city breakfast or church social. Any event of any size requires a community of people to build it.”
Altman urged residents to do what it takes to acquire that understanding.
“Attend a meeting,” he emphasized. “Meet other like-minded people. Ask questions. There’s no such thing as a stupid question.”
Altman said volunteers aren’t the only group in short supply.
“Sponsors,” he noted. “I’ve appreciated all our sponsors over the years. And I understand their predicaments, too.
“Money’s tight. They want to help out all they can with all who ask for their help. But they have to pick and choose or the money gets spread so thin it’s of little help to anyone.”
Fair Board Vice President Jill Worley is a 20-year board veteran who has seen membership and volunteers dwindle lately.
“I hate it that we don’t have as much help,” Worley lamented. “When I first joined, we had 15 members on the board and it was great.”
Everyone had their own ideas, their own activities and would chair their own groups, she continued.
“I think people just don’t know how to get involved,” she said. “We have open meetings, typically monthly on a Wednesday. We announce the meeting times and dates on our Facebook page all the time and invite anyone who wants to attend to come.”
Worley places emphasis on tradition and said the fair is one such tradition that should be honored and advanced.
“The event is once a year,” she said. “It’s not like you’re strapped in or strapped down.”
“And this issue isn’t just Poplar Bluff’s,” she continued. “It’s all communities. Volunteerism is on the decrease. It would be really great to add some people to our board.”
Board by-laws state it must convene a 12-member board.
“We’re down to six members and if we can’t increase that we’ll probably have to dissolve,” she said. “It would be a real shame if that happens. A shame for us, but more so for the community.”
Worley also wanted to thank sponsors, but knows more are needed.
“I really want to thank our businesses,” she said. “If not for them we couldn’t begin to make a go of it. I can’t praise them enough for their generosity. They’re really the best.”
Although Altman gave up the leadership reins, he plans to help out during the two-day event Sept. 30-Oct. 1.
“I told the board I’d help out any way I can,” he said. “I reached out to a few sponsors and helped that way.”
Fair Board President Jerrica Fox echoed her colleagues’ sentiments.
“We do need all the help we can get,” Fox said. “We understand it takes time and willingness to volunteer.
“Everyone’s time is valuable,” she added. “But the payoff is wonderful. It’s gratifying to see what the fair does for the community. It adds quality and a sense of well-being to our lives.”
Fox urged residents to get involved for the community’s benefit.
“We hope people are inspired to attend a meeting and see how much effort it takes to make something like this happen,” she said. “It’s really worth it.”
Further information is available by accessing the Missouri Butler County Fair Facebook page, Worley said.
Schedule of events:
Sept. 24 — Beauty pageant, 9 a.m. Holiday Inn
Sept. 30 — Rodeo by Chalk Bluff Rodeo, food trucks and vendors, Ray Clinton Park. Discount night, tickets are $5. Gates open at 5 p.m.
Oct. 1 — Gates open at 4 p.m. at Ray Clinton Park. Kids Zone opens 4 p.m. to dark. Antique tractor show in memory of Melvin Lewis starting at 4 p.m. Open invitation to buskers to perform from 4-5 p.m. Bo and the No Shows perform from 5-7 p.m. Truck and tractor pull by USA Pullers starts at 7 p.m. Family Fun Day, including food trucks and vendors. Tickets are $10.
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