Family, fun define Big Butler Fair
For the last five years Edward Kimmons has spent his birthday at the Big Butler Fair.
This year, Kimmons birthday is no different. Celebrating his 28th birthday cooking at the Big Butler Fair on Saturday, Kimmons said there was no place he'd rather be. Kimmons, who hails from Atlanta, Georgia, but lives in Marion, Ohio, helps with the smoked meats booth at the fair.
He has been up and down the east coast, participating in different fairs and events. However, Butler has a fond place in his heart. It's one of his favorite places to cook.
“This whole week I've learned so much, about a month's worth of information,” Kimmons said. “This is where I met my wife.”
Family is a big part of the Big Butler Fair, but there's something for everyone, Harold Dunn, fair secretary, said.
Dunn has been grateful for the weather cooperating through a majority of the fair. He said that Friday night produced the most people he saw at this year's event.
“The weather was beautiful, people were laughing, eating and riding,” he said. “It's a nice chance to get out. We try to find something that everyone can enjoy at the fair.”
Jillian Ranko, a 17-year-old incoming sophomore at Butler High School, found out through the fair that she enjoys raising and training alpacas. Her interest in the animals began when she was 12 years old.
“Alpacas aren't recognized as a department at the fair,” Ranko explained. “We're not allowed to compete like the other animals are. I'm working on getting classes and the end-goal is establishing a department for alpacas in Pennsylvania.”
