TANCER

It has been a year since Skye Tancer took on the role of fair manager, replacing the retiring Bev Fisher.

Over the past year, Tancer has become familiar with the inner workings of the fair and has made a lot of new friends along the way. She said the one thing she enjoys is hearing the stories centered around the annual fair.

“I’ve heard many great stories about the Canfield Fair,” she said. “While attending the Detroit Auto Show with my husband (Drew Tancer), I met famous local automotive artist Guy Shively. He told me he got his start at the Canfield Fair when he saw an airbrush artist at work.”

She said stories like this add to the community value the Canfield Fair brings to the area.

While hearing of past memories and events is one thing, Tancer said she also must look to the future. Technology continues to abound in the world and Tancer is excited to see more of it coming to the fair this year.

“We have added the new technology called Show Works,” she said. “This technology can track entries and awards. Down the road the kids can use the info on resumes, or if they show at other fairs. The Ohio State Fair uses this technology too.”

In addition to Show Works, Tancer worked to transition vendor registration online with the intention of making check-in smoother for the Fair’s hundreds of vendors.

Tancer is also working with a new vendor’s map for the fair. She used AutoCAD to create a map of the fairgrounds with all the vendor spots laid out. She said it makes the vendor portion of the fair a lot easier to maintain.

One other new technology Tancer said is coming this year is ticketing kiosks.

“Fairgoers can walk up to the kiosks and purchase their admission tickets,” Tancer said. “It’s fast and easy and we plan to have the kiosks at gates A, C and 5.”

One other area Tancer has been hard at work with involves the community. She said partnerships can create a win-win atmosphere and so far that is proving to be a positive.

The newest partnership is with the YMCA. Tancer said the Fair Board heard the annual fireworks may not happen this year and decided to step in. The Fairgrounds partnered with the YMCA and the event was continued.  The YMCA provided around 20 people to assist at the event.

Tancer said there is also a partnership with Youngstown State University. The YSU cross country team’s home track is now at the OSU Extension Farm across from the Fairgrounds. The Fairgrounds will be used for parking for the event.

Another partnership is with the 910th Airlift Wing in Vienna. The base will provide the color guard for the fair’s opening ceremonies as well as a flyover with a C-130 aircraft during the event.

After a busy year learning and implementing process improvements,  Tancer is ready for another great Canfield Fair.

 “I am biased and feel this fair is the best fair. I have an amazing team and a great board of directors to work with,” Tancer said. “The Canfield Fair is more than just an event — it is the heart of the Mahoning Valley. Each year, it becomes the gate we walk through to reconnect with family, friends and neighbors. For many who have moved away, it is a homecoming. It is a place where we leave behind our worries and differences to simply enjoy the day and each other. Old memories are rekindled and new ones are made. From laughter in the barns to traditions on the midway, the Fair brings us together. For many families, coming every day [to the Fair] isn’t just a habit — it’s a legacy.”