Alan Aichholz honored in Columbus for his support of the Attica Fair
By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator
Attica Independent Fair Board Member, Alan Aichholz, was honored for his tireless volunteerism by Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Director Brian Baldridge, Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague at the 100th Ohio Fair Managers Association annual convention at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Jan. 3. Aichholz was among a group of fair volunteers from across the state who were recognized as Outstanding Fair Supporters.
Aichholz has been active with the fair since he showed his first feeder calf at age nine. He also showed steers, entered refinished antiques and helped with club projects. He joined the Attica Jr. Fair Board when he was a sophomore in high school and served as board president and vice president.
Aichholz continued to help the Jr. Fair Board for two years post-graduation before joining the Attica Senior Fair Board.
“I’ve been on it for 33 years,” he said.
He is a former fair board president and has served as the board’s treasurer since 2011. While many people view fair board duties as a few-week commitment in the summer, it is a yearlong commitment.
“As soon as the fair is over, we have to get started on the next year’s fair,” Aichholz said.
But he doesn’t just sacrifice his time and effort for fair week. Aichholz helps any way he can, all year long. He works fundraising duties during the sprint car races at the fairgrounds. He helps with maintenance and operations of the grounds and of the social hall throughout the year.
“We’re always making improvements. We replaced the waterlines and electric to the campground last summer,” he said. “There are a bunch of events at the fairgrounds, and I do what I can to help.”
To recognize Aichholz’s tireless work for the fairgrounds, the fair board chose him as the 2024 recipient of the Irene Martin Service Award, which is presented to individuals or organizations in recognition of their dedicated support of the fair. According to the Attica Fair website, the award “symbolizes the countless hours of work needed towards making the Attica Independent Fair one of the top Independent Fairs in the State of Ohio.”
Attica Fair Board President Jason Darling said it was a well-deserved award.
“The fair board chose him because has been a big supporter of the Attica Fair Board for a very long time,” Darling said. “He does a lot of volunteer work to keep the fair going. He’s on the fair board, but he also volunteers his time doing all the other events as well. Without him doing all that volunteer work, we would not be able to do what we do.”
Service comes naturally for Aichholz, who finds enjoyment in the countless hours he sacrifices for the fair.
“I just love the fair. I like to help out, and I want to see it survive for the kids,” he said.
In his decades with the fair, Aichholz has created countless memories, made many friends and experienced unique opportunities that came only because he was volunteering, like meeting comedian Jeff Foxworthy.
“Some of my best memories are of the big-name entertainment we’ve had here, like Jeff Foxworthy,” he said. “I never thought that would happen. To hang around him and find out what a great guy he is – that was memorable.”
Because Aichholz was the Irene Martin Service Award recipient, his name was submitted by the fair board to the ODA, where he was among other volunteers from across the state who were honored on Jan. 3 by Baldridge, Husted and Sprague. The Seneca County Commissioners also want to recognize Aichholz for his dedication to the fair.
“On behalf of the Seneca County Commissioners, I would like to congratulate Alan on this prestigious award for all his hard work and dedication to the Attica Independent Fair,” Commissioner Frankart said.
Aichholz was surprised to be honored with the Irene Martin Service Award and as an Outstanding Fair Supporter.
“I was floored. I was honored,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I deserved it. I don’t do it for the recognition. It was very humbling.”
As he was honored for his volunteer work, he reflected the praise onto the many other people who also help make the Attica Fair so successful.
“We definitely couldn’t do it without Attica Raceway Park being on the grounds. They really help us out with maintenance and grounds. It makes it easier, being helped by people like that,” he said. “And I love working with the fair board. We’re like family more than friends.”
Aichholz is grateful for all they have accomplished together.
“I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve grown. We have a grounds that I’m very proud of. The grounds always look nice,” he said. “For a small community, we have a great fair.”