Clark County man honored by state for support of the fair

Clark County resident Ed Kranz was recognized at the 94th Ohio Fair Managers Association annual convention for his outstanding service to the fair. From left to right: Dean Blair, Executive Director of the Clark County Fairgrounds; Brian Harbage, President of the Clark County Agricultural Society; Dorothy Pelanda, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture; and Ed Kranz. CONTRIBUTED

Clark County resident Ed Kranz was recognized at the 94th Ohio Fair Managers Association annual convention for his outstanding service to the fair. From left to right: Dean Blair, Executive Director of the Clark County Fairgrounds; Brian Harbage, President of the Clark County Agricultural Society; Dorothy Pelanda, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture; and Ed Kranz. CONTRIBUTED

A local resident was recently honored for his service and support of the Clark County fair.

Ed Kranz was one of 41 people who were recognized by the Ohio Department of Agriculture at the 94th Ohio Fair Manager Association annual convention for outstanding service to the fair.

“The part that means the most to me is the fact that the members of the Clark County Fair Board, the directors of the Agricultural Society, they considered what I’ve done to be significant and meaningful to them,” he said. “What I’ve done has been a betterment to the fair.”

Kranz started volunteering with the fair in 1965 after he graduated from Ohio State University and moved to Clark County.

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“I’ve worked with the fair all my life,” he said. “A point in time when there was turmoil and financial difficulties, as a volunteer I managed the fair for two years until they could get their things worked out and was able to get their financial footing and hire someone full time.”

The 15 members of the board “agreed unanimously” for Kranz to be nominated as an outstanding fair supporter, Executive Director of the Clark County Fairgrounds Dean Blair, said.

“He truly did save the fair. He played a major role in preserving it,” he said. “He is such an ambassador in so many ways for the forthrightness and the preservation and the advancing for the Clark County fair and fairgrounds.”

Kranz served on the fair board for two years, and is currently on the board of directors for the Heritage Center of Clark County.

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“I brought the two things together. I developed a strong working relationship between the Heritage Center and Clark County Fair board,” he said. “That’s very meaningful to me to bring them together.”

For the last five years, Kranz has put together antique display shows for the fair.

“I try to do things that enhance the fair. I put together a special show featuring antique tractors, and I’m planning on future shows that will always be different,” he said. “I like to do things that will be helpful to the community.”

The certificates were presented to each winner by Dorothy Pelanda, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

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