William Holbein knows a thing or two about the Butler Farm Show. He has served as treasurer of its board of directors for more than 25 years.

The Butler Farm Show, the 63rd annual edition this year, draws crowds from all over.

Visitors come to enjoy food, entertainers, rides, animals, and to see people they haven't in a long time. But how many of them realize how much hard work it takes to put all of these events and activities together? And how many stop to consider the people responsible for doing that work?

There are a number of people responsible for putting on such a large event, according to Kevin Loomis, 47, vice president of the farm show board of directors.

Loomis has been involved with the farm show since he was in high school as a member of Four H showing animals. He got more involved as he got older.

In 1995 he became an adviser to the board, and two years later he was elected as president, where he served for four years.

He's been the vice president for two years, and has a great appreciation for what the farm show brings.

“It's one of the shows that has been a part of our community for 63 years,” Loomis said. “It's like a hometown homecoming.”

He said the farm show is a great event for families because it's affordable and has entertainment for everyone.

His family is more involved with the farm show than most, with his father being an adviser, and his wife and two sons volunteering.

“It's a show that's close to the heart,” Loomis said, “and will always be a part of the family.”

While most of the farm show visitors like the entertainment or the food the best, Loomis finds the most enjoyment somewhere else.

“(I enjoy) when I'm closing up the gates at night and see families leaving with smiles on their faces and food in their hands,” Loomis said, “knowing that they enjoyed themselves.”

Someone who's been just as involved with the farm show as Loomis is William Holbein, an 82-year-old retired contractor who has lived in Butler his entire life.

Holbein has served as the treasurer for more than 25 years, and has a great relationship with many county residents.“Being raised here my whole life I know a lot of people,” Holbein said.He knows better than anyone all of the hard work it takes to make the farm show run smoothly all week long.“The week of the farm show we're busier than the devil,” Holbein said. “We have to make changes every day.”While the farm show keeps him and the rest of the board of directors busy, Holbein does enjoy himself.“It's been great,” Holbein said. “It's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun too.”The president of the board is Ken Laughlin, a 46-year-old AK Steel worker who has lived in Butler his entire life.Laughlin has been involved with the board for 21 years, and started off by working on committees.“I always enjoyed agriculture,” Laughlin said. “It teaches good values.”There are a number of different committees, and committee members who help get everything lined up.For example, the entertainment committee has to get acts lined up a year or two in advance, while the security committee keeps the farm show safe, Laughlin said.“Seeing everything come together is my favorite part,” Laughlin said. “We work all year to put this show together, and it's nice when it's time for everything to come together and it does.”Just like Loomis, Laughlin stressed that the farm show is family friendly entertainment.“We are a family show,” Laughlin said. “And we hold family values very high.”

Ken Laughlin, board president, has been involved with the farm show for 21 years, and started off by working on committees.