Francis still enjoys exhibiting very much but he stated he is not getting along as he used to. His Darke County Fair awards also include: Best Display of Vegetables and Best Display of Fruits. At the Ohio State Fair, Francis received the distinction of Grand Winner of All Displays.
Francis’ children, Donna Jeanne Christian and Merrill Lee Byers also enjoy gardening and participating in the farmers markets, to which Francis replied “who knows, maybe they will take my place at The Great Darke County Fair”.
Francis has many great Fair memories but he mentioned much has changed since 1939. Francis has not missed an annual Fair yet. Francis noted that the first contest he participated in was held in a building southeast of the Grandstand. Over the years, the event moved to the Grandstand, then to the Coliseum, where it continues to be held today.
Francis is a 1940 graduate of Monroe High School, grew up on a farm in Van Buren Township and now lives on Erisman Road. Francis was inducted into the Ohio Agriculture Hall of Fame in 1996. Francis was selected to be the Parade Marshal of the 2001 Fair, but the parade was cancelled due to rain. In 2002, Francis rode in the Parade with the Marshals for that year, Frank & Louise Sheffer.
The 2014 Parade that will honor and include Francis is scheduled for Thursday, August 21st beginning at 10am in front of the Grandstand.
FAIR DATES: 2014 AUGUST 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 AUGUST 2014