Many volunteers returned for another year at Bolado Park
Volunteers are key each year at the San Benito County Fair. The
volunteers do everything from set up stalls, man booths and sell
things. They even barbecue for other volunteers.
Many volunteers returned for another year at Bolado Park
Volunteers are key each year at the San Benito County Fair. The volunteers do everything from set up stalls, man booths and sell things. They even barbecue for other volunteers.
Judy McCord and her husband Tim have been volunteering at the poultry and rabbits building for more than 35 years. The reason the McCords continue to volunteer each year is their love of animals.
“With a good experience, this is something the kids will remember forever,” Judy McCord said. “We enjoy working with the public and seeing the enjoyment on the kids’ faces.”
The McCords are involved in all aspects of the poultry and rabbit building from set up with decorations to cleanup. They also work as docents during the weekend of the fair.
“People that come in here don’t realize everything we do,” Judy McCord said.
The annual fair provides an opportunity for locals to see old friends and make new ones. That’s part of the reason Nick Lomanto volunteers his time.
Lomanto helps barbecue for the kids that are involved with showing animals. Sunday he barbecued for a luncheon put on by the fair for the livestock buyers.
“I’ve been [volunteering] for 12 years,” Lomanto said. “It’s something I enjoy doing, helping the kids that are involved with [Future Farmers of America].”
Lomanto has fond memories of the fair from when he was growing up.
He started volunteering with the FFA boosters when his son was still involved with the program more than four years ago and continues because he enjoys volunteering.
“It’s fun doing something for the community,” Lomanto said. “It’s helping to keep the fair running, which is something they couldn’t do without volunteers.”
Volunteers such as Heidi Balz have been involved for years. She is the second generation of her family to be involved at the photography display. Balz estimated that she spends 20 to 25 hours per year getting ready for the fair, not counting the amount of time she spends during the weekend at the fair.
Fortunately lots of people enter their photography so there is plenty on display.
“I have multiple generations of families that keep each department going with all of the items they submit,” Balz said.
Rose Ortiz is another volunteer who works in the Fine Arts Department. The first year she took over was a little scary, but she had a little help.
For Ortiz the annual fair is on opportunity to show her work as well as to visit with fellow artists.
“As an artist getting the opportunity to visit with other artists is great,” Ortiz said. “Especially the kids. They really enjoy it and it’s a lot of fun. It’s nice to be out here. I don’t see myself giving this up anytime soon, it’s my gallery for the year.”
