BY HELEN B. FOSTER, Correspondent
During the Harford Fair opening ceremonies Sunday, James Kenneth Adams, known to all as “Ken” was honored for his lifetime commitment.
Fair Board President Jeff Page, Director Cindy Reynolds, Ken Adams, Julie Adams Grove. The flowers carried by Julie will be presented to her mother, Paula Adams, wife of the honoree. Paula had the misfortune of falling and requiring foot surgery making it impossible to attend the ceremony.
Fair Director Cindy Reynolds pointed out thatAdamshas been involved with the fair since his first visit at the age of three months.
While serving as Fair Board President he worked hard along with others to make sure the fair survived, even during the hard times.
As Reynolds said, the evidence of all that hard work is what is seen all over the fair grounds. Last fall, after years of dedicated service to the fair, Ken chose not to run again for a seat on the board of directors.
“But he certainly has not retired from Harford Fair,”Reynolds said.
Like many who work with the fair,Adamsis a native ofSusquehannaCounty, growing up on a farm right here inHarfordTownship. The only years he missed the fair were when he served two years in the Army and several years inFloridaworking as a large animal veterinary technician
.In 1957 he returned to the area to start a construction company with his brother, John. Since that time he has not only continuously attended but also been very involved in the workings of the fair.
His experience and leadership with the Harford Fair was recognized by the Pennsylvania State Association of County Fairs as he served on its executive committee and was honored in 1999 by being elected for a 2-year term as president of the state association. The state association, located in Hershey, serves more than 115 fairs throughout the state.
Last year Ken received a “Pennsylvania Fair Ambassador” commendation from State Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.
Adamsheld the office of Susquehanna County Register and Recorder, and also served asCountyCommissioner.
At the time of his retirement, Ken was executive director of the Susquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Adams and his wife, Paula have three grown children and nine grandchildren.
Reynolds spoke ofAdams’ dream, to have a museum on the fair grounds and last year that dream became a reality. It proved to be so popular that it has been expanded to include the entire building, now known asFoundersHallMuseum, formerly known as Mechanics Hall.
Reynolds urged all those attending the opening to stop in and see the wonderful collection of artifacts which reflect the early workings inSusquehannaCounty.
In thanking Adams once again for all he has done to make Harford Fair one of the oldest, Reynolds presented him with his well deserved Gold (lifetime) Pass and was made an honorary fair board member.
Fair Director Jason Miller had the honor of giving the welcome that officially opens the fair. A musical program, presented by Soulfire, “Songs for your Life” went on despite the threat of rain.
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