FRANKLIN TWP — Dennis Wolff, the state Department of Agriculture secretary, on Friday distinguished the Big Butler Fair as a Pennsylvania Century Fair. That is a recently created distinction for fairs with more than 100 years of continuous existence.

The local fair has been in existence for 151 years, he said.

Wolff also honored Archie Knauf, a 75-year-old Harmony resident who was named Fair Person of the Year in January by the state Association of County Fairs. He served as the fair's director for 31 years, and this year is supervising the antique display and the chicken barn at the fair.

Knauf, who began showing draft horses at the fair in the 1940s, also was honored by the Butler County commissioners and by state Sen. Jane Orie, R-40th, for his work at the fair.