When the New Holland Junior Fair Board met for the first time in February, six area teenagers took part. New Holland Fair president Paulene Redding was pleased with the attendance. "The first meeting went great," she reported. "I was very impressed with the group of kids. They are so outgoing and enthusiastic."

The New Holland Junior Fair Board is open to students ages 13 to 18. Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the fair building, located at the corner of Franklin Street and Roberts Avenue. "We will provide pizza at the beginning of each meeting because they are running from school and other activities," stated Redding, who noted that New Holland HVAC is sponsoring the pizza. "We will feed them for the first 20 minutes."

A few of the members of the board have credentials in the area of agriculture or have volunteered previously with the fair.

"I have always loved the fair," said Aidyn Burton, vice president of the Grassland FFA Chapter and New Holland Junior Fair Board member. "I have grown up with it, and I want to get more involved with my community - especially in the areas of agriculture and education."

Junior Fair Board member Wynne Kelly, a reporter with Grassland, noted that she has been involved with the New Holland Fair since she was small. "I grew up in New Holland, and I like getting hands-on with the fair," she said, noting that she works at the stand her church youth group has at the fair.

Junior Board member Kaeden Good, who attends Reach Cyber Charter School, has been volunteering to help with the New Holland Fair tug-of-war competition for four years. "Kaeden works the buzzer," explained Redding, who noted that Kaeden's father, Rodney Good, judges the competition. Kaeden said he would like to see more area youths helping out at the fair and bringing new ideas to the table.

Junior Board member Isabella Jones is a student in the Conestoga Valley School District who first heard about the New Holland Fair through the organization's fair queen competition. After competing in the contest, she wanted to be more involved in the fair. Other initial members include Genevieve Adamow, 2024 New Holland Fair queen, and Brianna Libell.

One project Redding was hoping the Junior Fair Board members would embrace is the Ag Education Station, which will be located near the farm show building at the corner of Roberts Avenue and Franklin Street. "I let them know about the Ag Education Station and how I want them to take part in that," stated Redding, who added that the board members had already offered to bring over FFA equipment to use. "They are full of ideas," shared Redding. "They have the energy, and they are ready to go. I think (the Ag Education Station) is going to be a huge success." In addition to the station, Redding noted that the Junior Board is setting up an Instagram account and that she plans to delegate the designing of the fair book cover to the group.

Redding pointed out that along with pizza, New Holland HVAC will provide T-shirts for the Junior Board members and cover expenses for them to attend youth day at the Pennsylvania Fairs & Showmen Convention held annually in Hershey.

Redding would like to see the group grow to more than a dozen members. "(The Junior Board members) would like to be paired with older (New Holland Fair) board members so they can see what they are doing," said Redding.

Junior Board members would also like to see their number increase. "We want to see more high school-age kids involved," shared Burton.

The Junior Fair Board's Instagram may be followed using the handle @nh.jr.fair.board. Readers who would like to donate or volunteer for the fair may visit https://newhollandfair.org. Readers with specific questions may email info@newhollandfair.org or call 717-354-5880.