The Chesterfield County Fair was recently recognized by its peers statewide with 13 communications awards, including two “Best in Show” honors, at the annual Virginia Association of Fairs conference in Williamsburg.
Donnie Yancey, secretary of the county fair’s volunteer board of directors for the past four years, also was selected as Virginia’s Fair Person of the Year for 2022.
“He does a whole lot for our fair,” said Brenda White Vaughn, general manager of the Chesterfield Fair, who nominated Yancey. “He and I have spoken 10 to 12 times today and that’s a pretty normal day.”
Chesterfield won Best in Show in both the newsletter and electronic advertisement categories, along with six first-place awards: poster, newspaper advertisement color, electronic advertisement, website, newsletter and television commercial.
It took second-place honors in four categories – fair scrapbook, fair logo or theme, radio commercial and Facebook campaign – as well as third place for promotional/advertising merchandise and souvenirs/clothing.
“It truly is validation of our team’s hard work,” White Vaughn added. “We’re always striving to be better. Slowly but surely, we’re putting ourselves on the map in Virginia.”
Chesterfield’s first county fair was held in 1911.
White Vaughn, who has served as GM of the Chesterfield Fair since 2014, was effusive in her praise for Yancey in the nomination letter she sent to the state association.
The three-page document describes a jack of all trades who is always willing to pitch in and help in a variety of ways, and a tireless worker who volunteers countless hours to the fair annually while also holding down full-time and part-time paid jobs.
“Whether he has ESP or not, Donnie seems to intuitively sense a need and steps up to the plate with helping hands,” White Vaughn wrote. “Donnie is truly my ‘right hand guy.’ I think my phone is on speed dial for him as I bounce ideas off him and he off me. We have a great working relationship, which has been so beneficial for our fair.”
The 2023 Chesterfield County Fair will run from Aug. 25 through Sept. 2.