GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Board of County Commissioners honored the historical performance of last month’s Clay County Agricultural Fair staff with a recognition and brief presentation on Tuesday.

One thousand volunteers, fair and county staff, public safety and law enforcement officials who made it were recognized for their roles after a record crowd of 156,480 attended the 11-day event that ended on April 9.

Several representatives from the County Fair Association’s Executive Board, Board of Directors and staff were recognized, and all were invited to the stage. First responders, including Fire Chief Lorin Mock, Assistant County Manager and Acting Fire Chief David Motes, Sheriff Michelle Cook, Emergency Management Director John Ward, and several others, also were honored.

“This is just a small number of the many, many people that helped make the fair successful and safe. We appreciate you, and it was a great fair,” said Commission Chair Betsy Condon.

Fair Executive Director Tasha Hyder reflected on the records set and highlights made at this year’s milestone fair, despite a significant rainstorm during the event’s final weekend, $8,000 raised for the Picnic Project and $500,000 raised for local children during the record Livestock Auction.

“We had a great year. Most importantly, it was really safe and fun, and we didn’t get killed on traffic. Thank you, Clay County Sheriff’s Office,” Hyder said.

But the most integral part of the operation to a successful fair every calendar year is the volunteers, which Hyder quickly mentioned.

“I actually get paid for what I go through during the fair’s 11 days, but I want to take this moment to recognize those people who do not,” Hyder said, who then proceeded to call out a litany of names of volunteers serving on the fair’s executive board and board of directors.

Bob Olson, the Fair’s Chair of Daily Entertainment, said “The (Fair) is unique across the country. Every time we go to a convention and tell the other fairs that we are run by all volunteers with the exception of our three staffed employees, they just shake their heads and say, ‘How do you do it?’ We do whatever it takes to make the fair operate, and I am surrounded by a fantastic team. I get asked ‘How long does it take to plan?’ We’re already starting to plan for next year. It’s a whole year’s effort. I want to thank the county for supporting us.”

In other business, the council continued its conversation on the status of two companies who submitted bids for solid waste removal – Solid Waste Southeast and Waste Management.

A motion to delay a vote until the BCC’s next meeting on May 9 passed so commissioners could gather more information and find out whether multiple permits could be allotted.