(Posted May 5, 2014)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
A keepsake honoring the 125th anniversary of the Madison County Fair will also serve as a fundraiser for the fair.
Chris and Dusty Parker of Mount Sterling and Brenda and Paul Roseberry of West Jefferson are selling hand-woven, commemorative baskets. Dusty is president of the Madison County Senior Fair Board; Brenda is treasurer.
“We got the idea at this year’s fair managers convention,” said Chris Parker.
American Traditions Basket Co. was among the vendors at the 2014 Ohio Fair Managers convention in Columbus. The Parkers and Roseberrys contracted with the Canal Fulton, Ohio, company to make a limited edition, custom basket for this year’s fair.
The basket features a red and white weave design, a brass plate denoting the anniversary and the dates of this year’s fair (July 6-12), and a wood lid engraved with a Madison County Fair scene. Each basket is handmade of hard maple and signed and dated by the maker. Other details include decorative brass ribbon tacks and a plastic liner.
There are 52 baskets available for purchase in the limited edition run. Each basket is numbered. The sale price is $35. The Parkers and Roseberrys are covering the initial cost of the baskets and donating the entire $35 purchase price of each basket to the fair.
“This is a way for us to donate to the fair and it gives others a way to help, too,” said Dusty Parker.
The two families are giving the No. 1 basket to the Junior Fair to raffle off during the livestock sale at this year’s fair.
To purchase a Madison County Fair 125th Anniversary basket, contact Chris Parker at (740) 506-3301.
