Cumberland Co Fair Board Member Named State President

Cumberland County Fair Board Member Ricky Smith was inaugurated over the weekend as the next State Fair Association President.

Smith said he has served as a vice-president the past three years leading up to the new one-year term.

“It’s a great experience to become president,” Smith said. “It’s been about a six or seven year experience to do so. You come onto the board, and you graduate up into the VP positions and then right up into the president position.”

Smith said as president, he will lead board meetings where delegates discuss fair issues and future planning. Smith said he will also be responsible for visiting the fairs across the state this fall. Smith said he wants to use the opportunity to introduce more young people to agriculture.

“For me, I love seeing kids at the fair,” Smith said. “We have demonstrations, and I love to see the young people when they realize things such as where milk comes from. It’s just a happy feeling for me to be able to educate the youth.”

Smith said he has been affiliated with the Cumberland County Fair for over 40 years. Smith said he started as a 4-H’er and has now served on the local fair board some 20 years.

Smith officially became president at the state convention in Murfreesboro. Cumberland County Fair was named the “Champion of Champions” during the same time.