Cook remembered as Champaign County Fair opens

How to go

What: 2015 Champaign County Fair

Where: Champaign County Fairgrounds

When: Today through Friday

Admission: $7 daily, which includes all rides

More info: champaigncountyfair.com

The Champaign County Fair opened Friday with comfortable weather and a good crowd. But on the minds of many was someone who had done much to make the event what it is today.

Melvin Cook, who served on the fair board for 36 years, including 13 years as president, passed away in January. Tim Purk, the current president of the Fair Board, was already missing his presence Friday.

“Melvin was always looking to offer a hand wherever it was needed,” Purk said.

Many of Cook’s grandchildren sat in in the fair board office with Purk Friday.

“He was an important part of my life in every aspect,” said Emily Cook about her grandpa. “My fiancee even called him Poppa.”

Melvin Cook was one who got things done while keeping everyone happy.

“He was good with people; he was great for the kids, he was always the one who stood up for the kids,” said Brain Cordial, an advisor for the Junior Fair Board.

In was Melvin Cook who brought back the Junior Fair Board.

“I was on the very first Junior Fair Board that Melvin brought back,” said Levi Runkle, a Junior Fair Board advisor.

On Sunday at 10 a.m. the Junior Fair Board Melvin Cook Memorial Building will be dedicated in his name. The building came together just in time for the fair.

“All the contractors were willing to adjust their schedules to get it up in time for the fair,” Purk said.

The place where the building now stands was Melvin Cook’s favorite spot.

“When the fair wasn’t going on, it was Melvin’s favorite spot to sit in his truck and look out over the fairgrounds,” Cordial said.

Before the building, the Junior Fair Board didn’t have a place for storage or meetings.

“We met in the sales office, and all the trophies were stored in the kitchen of the 4-H building,” said Mary Jenkins, a member of the Junior Fair Board. “We were kind of all over the place.”

Donations completely funded the building. It has already seen a lot of foot traffic.

“I think this is going to work great,” Runkle said.

The weather certainly was great, and Purk said that is a good omen for the fair.

“We’ve got a pretty good forecast for the week,” he said. “We’re expecting a good crowd this year.”