Hattie Barthel, 4, of New Boston, Texas hangs on tight during the Mutton Busting contest as part of Bullride Mania at the Big Butler Fair Saturday, July 3. Hattie's father, Patrick Barthel, is a machinist at Shell's Cracker plant in Monaca. The grandstands were full Saturday night for Bullride Mania at the Big Butler Fair. Events included bull riding, barrel racing and mutton busting.

Among the thousands of people who attend the Big Butler Fair every year are its vendors, who come from far and wide to sell food or merchandise at the fair.

Ron Yochum is the owner of Ron's Lemonade from Townville and has sold at the fair for at least 30 years. While he was able to sell at some flea and farmers' markets during the coronavirus pandemic, Yochum said fairs and festivals are where he gets a lot of business.

“It's a different kind of crowd,” Yochum said. “People here are looking for foods to have while walking around.”

With more than 50 vendors this year, the Big Butler Fair has everything edible from funnel cakes and corn dogs to stromboli and burritos.

In addition to the food and drink vendors at the fair, artists and merchandise sellers are set up as well. Visual artist Gary Coles said he prefers selling at in-person events such as the fair, as opposed to the largely online method he used during the pandemic.

Coles, who is from Pittsburgh, said many people at the fair have shown interest in his art, but not everyone takes the leap to buy.

“If you never engage, you're never going to sell,” Coles said. “People are a little more timid, but it's because everyone is recovering now.”

Marilyn Crowley was assisting Coles by offering do-it-yourself spin art at the booth. She said selling in person can be better because there is a more personal connection between the artist and the buyer.

“People have to feel comfortable spending money with you,” Crowley said. “You really get to know what the person is like.”

The 32 4-H clubs in Butler County also use the fair as a fundraising opportunity. Club members staff the petting zoo in one of the barns and collect donations to keep their clubs going.

“The fair is kind of our practice show every year,” said Amy Metrick, Butler County's 4-H educator. “And the petting zoo is one of our biggest fundraisers... it's a big draw at the fair.”

Despite the challenges of being at the fair for hours every day, vendors will be there until the fair's end in hopes of making sales.

“The money never died out, but it's a little harder to come by,” Coles said.