Family legacy lives on at Jefferson County Fair

New show arena dedicated

SMITHFIELD -- Monday’s opening of the Jefferson County Fair took on a special meaning.

The evening also marked the dedication of the Parkinson Show Arena at the Friendship Park fairgrounds.

Dedicated in memory of John and Judee Parkinson, longtime fair participants and supporters, the building marks a significant upgrade to the fairgrounds.

"This is a thousand times better compared to what we had," said Ray Hilderbrand, president of the fair board. "It has a nice sound system, better lighting and better ventilation -- and it’s twice the size of the one we had. It’s going to make the sale and the fair a lot better. It will be better for the patrons who come to bid on the animals -- it’s going to be a lot more comfortable for them."

"I just can’t say enough nice things about this building and this family that donated this," he added.

John and Judee Parkinson lived lives that were defined by deep faith, hard work, service and generosity, Amanda McKeon, one of their daughters, explained while speaking during the opening ceremonies of the 155th fair.

"As farmers, they cared for the land and livestock with dedication and respect," she said. "For many years, mom and dad opened our farm as a living classroom and were committed to the Farm-City Tour, even hosting on some occasions.

"Their Christian faith guided everything they did, shaping their character and their commitment to helping others," she continued. "Through their deep involvement in 4-H, they helped generations of Jefferson County youth develop responsibility, leadership, confidence and a strong work ethic."

Members of the Parkinson family, Hilderbrand and the fair’s sale committee helped cut the ribbon at the barn after the opening ceremonies. The family stressed that their work to make the barn possible was a tribute to lessons their parents had taught them while growing up on their farm in Adena.

"It means everything to our family, for our parents, in their memory, and what they gave to the fairgrounds and the kids who came here," McKeon, who now lives in Lakeland, Fla., explained after the ribbon was cut. "It’s about giving back and paying it forward and giving these young people a beautiful place to show their animals."

Her sister, Lynne Smith, who also lives in Lakeland, agreed.

"We grew up in the community," she said. "We were in high school, we were in middle school, we were in 4-H and we were on the farm youth council. It was the whole package, and that’s the way they taught us. We didn’t stay still -- ever.

"They left the legacy," she continued. "They raised so many kids in their life, whether it was with a meal, whether it was advice about something or someone. That’s the way we grew up."

Smith, who was the first queen chosen when the fair moved to the Friendship Park location, said her parents always donated to the fair, even after their children had left to go to college and then graduate school, got jobs, got married and had children. She added that she continues to come to the sale.

"Someone was there to purchase our animals, and it’s time to give back, and that’s what this is," Smith added. "This is what they would have wanted, and this is what we did."

Giving back and ensuring young people will continue to have the opportunity to show their animals in a modern facility is an important part of what the family wanted to do.

"This is a wonderful way to honor my parents," Anne Parkinson said. "It was an opportunity for our family to pay it forward. We enjoyed many years at the Jefferson County Fair, starting in 1971, I think, when I showed my first feeder calf. From there, we showed sheep, we showed cattle and we showed until we aged out.

"We wanted the youth of the county to have the same experience in a great new environment," Parkinson, a resident of Pataskala, added.

"We were able to do this, and we were happy to be able to do it, and our parents would be thrilled," Anne Parkinson said. "We hope it’s going to be here for many years to come, and people will come and enjoy it."

She added that they hoped to have a barn artist paint a mural on the building before next year’s fair.

"It’s about giving back," said J.W. Parkinson of Wintersville who, like his sisters, remembered lessons taught by his parents.

He explained that when they were growing up, money raised through the livestock sale was able to put them through college.

"We wanted to give back to the thing that helped us out," he added. "We all graduated from college with no debt because of this. We wanted to give back and do something good for everybody, and we hope people will follow and do the same."

He added he maintains the family farm, which was started more than 200 years ago and covers more than 200 acres. It’s been in the family for five generations, his sisters said.

Through all of the changes that have come in the last century and a half, the fair remains about providing a great experience for the young people of Jefferson County.

"They’ve worked hard all year, whether it’s raising an animal or some other skill that they’re displaying," said Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. "The fair was near and dear to the heart of my late father (Sheriff Fred Abdalla Sr.). He loved being out with these kids. Overwhelmingly, everyone is here to make sure these 4-H kids have a great week and enjoy themselves. Everyone should come out and support them."

Also during opening ceremonies, Hilderbrand delivered tributes to four people who had devoted time and effort to the fair board and the fair -- Betty Hasley, Joyce Wetherell, Carolyn Mercer and Bud Keeder -- and who had died in the past year.

Mahaela Petric performed the national anthem and Joann Jones performed musical selections.

Following the opening ceremonies, Katie Rivers was crowned fair queen.

The fair runs through Sunday.