20 couples celebrate 60 plus years of marriage at Clark County Fair

Paul and Martha Patrick were just one of the hundreds of couples that were on hand at the Golden Wedding Celebration for couples married more than 50 years. The Patricks have been married for 60 years. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Paul and Martha Patrick were just one of the hundreds of couples that were on hand at the Golden Wedding Celebration for couples married more than 50 years. The Patricks have been married for 60 years. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Roughly 20 couples who have been married for 60 years or more were celebrated at the Clark County Fair’s Golden Wedding party on Tuesday.

The Golden Wedding celebrates Clark County couples who have been married at least 50 years. The event was sponsored by United Senior Services and Kiwanis Club of Springfield.

“To see the mass of people who are committed to loving each other for many, many years, is an inspiration,” said Springfield state Rep. Kyle Koehler. “You are an inspiration to young people today. Take the time to explain how marriage works to your children and your grandchildren, so that they can have what you have.”

NEWS: 2nd Springfield medical marijuana dispensary wins state OK to open

Grober and Hui Suk Butler are one of those couples. The Butlers celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary at Golden Wedding party on Tuesday.

“We are blessed by God,” Hui Suk Butler.

If the two could pass along marriage tips to the next generation, they would tell them to focus on team work.

“You have to understand each other,” Hui Suk said. “You have to support each other.”

According to Maureen Fagans, Chief Executive Officer at United Senior Services of Springfield and Clark County, nearly 1,500 invitations were sent out to couples who qualified to attend the party.

Of the 1,500, Fagans said they received 660 confirmation RSVPs.

RESTAURANT NEWS: Chick-Fil-A food truck to make multiple visits to Springfield

This was the first year the Golden Wedding did not crown a King and Queen, Fagans said. Last year’s King and Queen were Robert and Ruth Pencil - who had been married for 73 years.

“It was hard to find the couple that had been married the longest in the county,” Fagans said. “Instead, we were just selecting from the couple that had been married the longest and could make it to the fair, which we felt wasn’t fair.”

This year’s party instead honored 20 couples who had been married for 60 years r more, with one couple being being married for 75 years.


Today at the fair

Kid’s Day

General admission is $6, and includes free parking and admission into all concerts. Admission is free for children five and younger.

Ride tickets and wristbands require separate purchase.

Gates open at 8 a.m.

Midway opens at noon and closes at 11 p.m.

Famous Amos Mechanical Bull Ride is from noon -11 p.m.

9 a.m. Market Goat Showmanship-Cattle show Arena

Breeding, Fancy & Egg Production Chickens Show-Cattle Show Arena with Showmanship to follow

Junior County Farrowed Show-Swine Arena

Meat Chicken Show-Poultry Barn with Showmanship to follow

11 a.m. Kids Make & Take - Arts & Crafts

11-2p.m. Sales Office open

Noon Bear Hollow Wood Carvers - Arts & Crafts

Kids Cut Flower Contest-Arts & Crafts

Walk/Trot Contesting-Outdoor Horse Arena

1 p.m. Dog Agility Demos - Dog Barn

Exchange Club Kids Day Games & Contests - Grandstand

Market Goat Show - Cattle Show Arena

Smoke & Mirrors- Hub Stage

2 p.m. A Grizzly Experience-Midway

3 p.m. Grand Illusions Magic-Hub Stage

Bear Hollow Wood Carvers - Arts & Crafts

3-5 p.m. Blaine Bowman Trio-CTC Shelter House

4-7 p.m. Skid Steer Registration -Grandstand Infield

Sales Office open

4:30 p.m. A Grizzly Experience-Midway

5 p.m. Grand Illusions Magic-Hub Stage

Bear Hollow Wood Carvers - Arts & Crafts

Market Steer Show-Champion Center Arena

Contesting Fun show-Outdoor Horse Arena

6 p.m. JF Dog Costume, Silly Pet Tricks, Dog Maze and Fun Show - Dog Barn

6:30 p.m. Dish of the Day Judging -Arts & Crafts Building

Eric Kand Hypnosis Show -Hub Stage

DinosaurXperience - Strolling Midway

7 p.m. Fuse @the Fair-First Christian Church

3rd Annual Salvation Army 5K Run/Walk - Grandstand

Mac Barrels Show-Outdoor Horse Arena

7:30 p.m. Skid Steer Rodeo-Grandstand Infield

8 p.m. Grand Illusions Magic-Hub Stage

Bear Hollow Wood Carvers - Arts & Crafts

A Grizzly Experience-Midway

Kate Hasting & Company with Madeline McDonald-Entertainment Tent

9 p.m. Eric Kand Hypnosis Show -Hub Stage

About the Author