Rich Morgan, superintendent of the poultry and rabbit barn at the Big Butler Fair, left, receives a proclamation from Fred Strathmeyer Jr., the state Department of Agriculture's deputy secretary for plant industry and consumer protection, on Tuesday, July 2. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle

FRANKLIN TWP — The ceremony where Rich Morgan was recognized as the Big Butler Fair’s Person of the Year had small attendance and was punctuated by short speeches, but the barn it took place in is where the Kittanning resident spent a majority of his time in his 25 years at the fair.

Morgan, superintendent of the poultry and rabbit barn at the fair, earned a commendation from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on Tuesday morning, July 2, as well as from state Sen. Scott Hutchinson’s office. Each year, the organizers of the fair select a person to honor who has demonstrated commitment to the fair, who is then recognized on a state level.

Harold Dunn, secretary of the Butler Fair and Agricultural Association, said Morgan has been involved with the fair since he showed animals there in his youth, and he has been a good communicator during his leadership time with the fair.

“He showed here; most superintendents came up through the ranks then moved into a leadership role,” Dunn said. “He communicates well with the exhibitors who come in there; he stays in contact with current legislation, particularly poultry now; he keeps up to date with what’s happening and plans accordingly.”

Poultry has not been shown at the Big Butler Fair since 2022, because of statewide concerns about avian flu. Dunn lauded Morgan for his attention to statewide news about the virus since it became an issue in 2022. Now, Morgan still staffs the rabbit barn, where he helps manage the entries and competitions relating to rabbits at the fair.

Morgan received a proclamation from the state Department of Agriculture, read by Fred Strathmeyer Jr., its deputy secretary for the plant industry and consumer protection. According to Strathmeyer, the state Department of Agriculture recognizes fairs and their organizers across the state each year, because of the impacts they make on their local communities. The Big Butler Fair and the dozens of volunteers who put it together every year are no exception.

“It doesn’t matter what the size is; it’s about the people,” Strathmeyer said. “The community they bring together for five days, or whatever it is, it truly is a community event.”

Morgan said he enjoys working the fair every year for a similar reason. He loves seeing the people, who have become like family to him over 25 years.

Most of his work was completed by the time he received the commendation at the 10 a.m. ceremony Tuesday, so Morgan said he was looking forward to just being at the fair the rest of the day and seeing the people and sights.

“It’s just a fun time — family time — they have done a lot for us,” Morgan said. “The rabbit judging was on Sunday, so that’s over and now it’s a free week.”

Rich Morgan, right, thanks the Big Butler Fair board of directors and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for his recognition as the fair's person of the year on Tuesday morning, July 2, as Harold Dunn, secretary of the fair, looks on to his left. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle