Tri-State prepping for annual show

To the editor:

In June at the directors meeting for Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association there was much discussion on whether to have the engine show or not, with discussion on it both ways.

There were a number of members who were not directors at the meeting to give their thoughts. We had invited county health officer Heath Butz to attend but since it was Father’s Day, he had other obligations, but I told the crowd of his concerns. A ballot vote was taken where each officer and director went into another room to vote so as to not be intimidated by anyone. The vote came back to put the show on.

At our July directors meeting, Butz did come to our meeting and told us of his, other officials and residents’ concerns. We had to put a plan together and submit to him, which we did July 31. It includes purchasing two new mister machines from Aquablast in Decatur. We will be able to sanitize the touchable areas of all the restrooms, door handles of buildings, picnic tables and benches as well as other places he sees fit. We also purchased 180 gallons of hand sanitizer, including 10 wall-mount sanitizing stations and 45 pumps to put into the gallon jugs. We have also purchased 11,000 masks, which we will provide masks to the officers, directors, volunteers and paid workers. We will have masks available for sale for $1 each at all gates, the office and the Red Barn. We are placing tables and benches so that they are more than 6 apart. Buildings will have one way in and one way out. In total, we have spent more than $13,000 on products to try to keep everyone safe.

We sent a newsletter out to 1,400 members on Aug. 4 telling them of the governor’s mandate and that masks must be worn in all buildings and when social distancing cannot be maintained. I also put a letter in the front of the show book that we hand out to exhibitors and spectators. Our announcer has a speech that he is going to announce often during the show as a reminder. We are also requiring all craft vendors to wear masks. We have put the governor’s mandate on the home page of our website.

Since we are not going to have the Trading Post this year, the sheriff’s deputy that normally checks people in and out is going to be asked to roam the buildings and the food court to remind people that do not have a mask on.

We are doing what we can to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and still put on the show. I know that residents are going to say: What about when they go to garage sales and places around town? This is where the residents need to take some responsibility and inform anyone coming up to their garage sales, into the stores or going into restaurants that they need to put a mask on, and the residents need to have one on also since the governor has mandated it.

Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association is going to do all that it can to keep the community safe and still put on a Tractor and Engine Show.

At Jay County Fairgrounds this year so far there have been two demolition derbies and the Jay County Fair. They drew fans and participants from outside the county. To date there has not been an uptick in the number of cases in Jay County because of these activities. We feel that with what we are doing that it will stay that way.

If you are planning on attending the Tractor and Engine Show, if you are feeling sick, have a fever or have health conditions, please stay home. We plan on having a show again next year and hopefully there will be a vaccine so life can get back to normal.

Again, we thank you for your concern and are working hard to help prevent any spread and still put on an enjoyable show for exhibitors and spectators.

Thank you,

Chris Englehardt

President

Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association