After the midway lights go down and the last animals leave the show ring, the planning begins for the next McKean County Fair.

It’s a yearlong cycle of meetings, phone calls, painting, cleaning, organizing, booking entertainment and coordinating groups of people and animals. Each fair is a massive undertaking that relies on volunteers who are willing to put in the time and effort.

This year, a new group is helping to shoulder that responsibility as several young people have decided to join the McKean County Junior Fair Board. They are President Jaidyn Goodman, Mallory Craig, Kayla Burrows, Leah Burrows, Cole Walker, Calvin Bell, Melissa Burton, Sarah Beaver, Hailey Farr and Jenna Goodman.

“As soon as the fair is over, we start planning for next year’s fair,” said Jeff Spencer. He is a longtime member of the fair board who has stepped up to lead the juniors. “It’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears.”

The Junior Fair Board is made up of members ages 16 to 21 who work alongside the senior fair board members to bring fresh ideas and extra hands to the fair’s operation. These young people pitch in wherever they are needed, assisting with setup and manning key posts during the fair itself.

For Sarah Beaver, the announcer’s booth has been a front-row seat to the action.

“I get to announce everything that is happening and meet all the people who come by my booth to chat or buy merchandise,” said Beaver. “It has been a great new way to enjoy the fair.”

She said the fair is important to her because it brings our community together in a unique way.

“It shows the importance of our local agriculture and the work that goes into it,” said Beaver. “Many people don’t get to see that until they come to the fair.”

One of the new ideas the young people have started this year is a coloring contest for children as old as 13. Winners will be selected for up to age 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and 10 to 13. Coloring pages can be picked up at Save-A-Lot in Kane and Bradford or at the McKean County Fair office. Entries will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday.

The Junior Fair Board is also planning an appreciation dinner for the senior fair board.

Beyond the fun, members see their role as essential in keeping the fair alive for future generations.

“The fair brings everyone together,” said Jaidyn Goodman, who helped spearhead the creation of the Junior Fair Board after seeing the idea work well for other counties. “It’s an important tradition and we need younger members to help keep it going.”

The McKean County Fair Board of Directors has several members well into their 80s, as well as people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Passing the torch is a priority to ensure that the fair continues and the important agricultural skills that it celebrates are not lost.

“Agriculture is the biggest part,” Spencer said. “It’s about getting people involved and passing those skills on to the younger generation.”

For many, the work has been eye-opening.

“I didn’t know how much planning went into this,” said Jenna Goodman. “I was only here to show or do my entries, I didn’t realize all the work going on behind the scenes.”

Many members have been involved in 4H or FFA programs since they were young, helping to instill a lifelong interest in the fair. Calvin Bell had been showing pigs, steer and lamb in 4H since he was 14 years old. He said the program was good for him.

“It taught me responsibility and taught me how to set goals,” said Bell.

Melissa Burgoon has been showing horses, lambs, goats, pigs and steers for many years. This year, in addition to her Junior Fair Board responsibilities, she is showing four sheep and a horse.

Other members joined at the urging of friends — specifically Jaidyn Goodman. Cole Walker chuckled when asked why he signed on.

“I am here because Jaidyn told me to be,” said Walker. “But it has been great getting to meet everybody and working together.”

Walker noted that he has many family members who have been on the fair board, specifically mentioning a beloved uncle, Andy Barr.

“He is a great guy and I strive to be like him,” said Walker.

Being a member of the Junior Fair Board is an intense commitment. It includes monthly meetings, multiple work days before opening day and long hours during fair week. But they are also building relationships, learning leadership skills and gaining behind-the-scenes knowledge of an event that has been a cornerstone of McKean County life for 119 years.

“People age out of FFA and 4H programs and I think the Junior Fair Board is a good way to stay connected to the back end of the fair,” said Mallory Craig. “If we don’t keep that connection, we risk losing it.”