Inspiring Conversations with Jessica Grice of Auglaize County Fairgrounds

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Grice.

Hi Jessica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The Auglaize County Fair was created in 1852 and has been around for over 174 years creating fair magic and memories for decades of generations. Our Fair is built on a heavy community and livestock culture where young kids get to experience leadership and opportunities through our supported programs. The local businesses and community rally to help support and keep the Auglaize County Fair strong making our mission statement “Home of the Family Fair” stand out. This Fair could not exist without them, and it truly feels like we could not do it without them. Outside of the Auglaize County Fair, we are a Fairgrounds that has grown into a community event rental and venue facility. It is a place where people can come and host incredible markets, weddings, and other special events and activities throughout the year. 174 years of growth, opportunity, challenges, and changes but the Fairgrounds always remains true to its core: We will always be the Home of the Family Fair.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every business is not without its struggles. Especially a Fairgrounds. The key to the challenges this Fairgrounds has faced is generational changes and growth. For a space that has existed for over 174 years, it has had to grow with the economy, the technology, the people and community. Every year is met with new faces and new opportunities to rise to the occasion and maintain our value in the community alongside it. We are blessed to have such a strong root and backing from the locals and surrounding areas that it has made it possible for us to succeed even in the face of these changes. Some of the biggest challenges come with a growth mindset where we must learn to accept that sometimes change is necessary when things that used to work in the past can no longer work with today’s changes. A business has to evolve to succeed, and we have proven that the Auglaize County Fair can withstand the test of time.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Auglaize County Fairgrounds?
The Auglaize County Fairgrounds is most commonly known for The Auglaize County Fair. An annual event we hold over the summer that is a blend of livestock shows, amusement rides, entertainment, incredible food, and different activities. Outside of our largest planned event every year, we are a year-round event and venue space that rents out to different auctions, market events, weddings, graduation parties, and more. The office is taken care of by one Fairgrounds Manager, an Assistant Manager and Marketing Consultant, and an Office Administrator and Treasurer. This team stands out in this office because all three members utilize their skillset to create the future of the Fairgrounds with the core mission in mind. Their hearts are truly in unison with the mission statement of the Fairgrounds. They take what they do seriously, and they do it with passion and love for the community and people. That is what makes this business so strong because they care about the people first.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The key is finding people who are willing to show you or help you succeed. In a business world, it all comes down to whether a business is in the business of people first. No matter what service or product is being offered, a great and successful business is in the business of people first. That includes care and love for the success of others within their company knowing that it only benefits the whole team to help people grow and taking care of the people you serve. Our team, for example, has developed new programs for the next generation to take over. This year alone, two new internship programs were introduced on the Fairgrounds for teenagers interested in marketing and event planning and these are programs that the Fairgrounds has never done before. It took the right team to see the potential in that and then made the opportunity to execute it because we believe in the next generation and we want to help them achieve their dreams and goals. As for networking, one of the oldest methods that will stand the test of time is handshake connections. Our Fairgrounds hosted a Sponsorship dinner that gave us the opportunity to introduce the new office team and network with local businesses and people from all over our county. This is something we care deeply about because we want the community to meet the people they are supporting and give people an atmosphere to meet others and connect. We show up to these people’s businesses and interact with them. You have to be willing to go the extra mile to network and meet them where they are. It is a personable and social challenge the world has now convinced everyone is acceptable to do over the phone or email, but this is one area that tradition should still stand.

Pricing:

• Season Passes – $35.00
• Daily Passes – $10.00
• Ride Bands – $10.00 Daily during Fair Week
• Concert Tickets – Grandstands $20.00
• Rental Space Pricing Varies based on buildings

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.auglaizecountyfair.org