Community Day set for Saturday

Jay County Fair Board is always looking for new events to add.

Over the past several years, new offerings have included the holiday light display and the corn maze.

Another is coming Saturday.

Jay County Fair Board will host Jay Community Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Jay County Fairgrounds.

The idea for the event came from Melissa Elliott, who was hired this year as the new fairgrounds office manager.

“When I got hired … we talked about bringing more events out to the fairgrounds for the community,” Elliott said. “We have such a good facility to have community events. That kind of got the ball rolling.”

She thought about possibilities, with a focus on options that would be helpful to members of the Jay County community. That brought the idea for an event to help families get ready for the school year. (The first day of classes for Jay School Corporation is Aug. 10.)

Elliott consulted with the fair board, which gave her the go-ahead to run with it.

“She came up with idea to have a community event that allows people to get together and bring the community together as a whole,” said Dillon Muhlenkamp, fair board secretary. “She really spearheaded that. 

“We really wanted to be able to provide a place to give back to the community and we want the fairgrounds to be seen as a place for community events.”

Elliott brought a variety of local organizations and businesses in as partners, including Jay County Chamber of Commerce, Jay County Visitors & Tourism Bureau, IU Health Jay, Meridian Services, Jay County Drug Prevention Coalition, Dunkirk Eagles, Portland Elks and Jay County Public Library. Participants will be set up in the Bubp Building at the fairgrounds, giving away school supplies — that includes more than 300 backpacks that have been donated — and providing activities for children in attendance. There will also be free haircuts for children.

“It’s been amazing how much support we’ve actually gotten,” said Elliott.

Heroes 4 Higher will bring Batman and his Batmobile to the event, the drug prevention coalition will have its mobile escape room, the library bookmobile will be open and a bounce house is being sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Jay County Health Department will be on site offering immunizations that are required for school.

There will also be popcorn, cotton candy and other refreshments.

“It’s just going to be an event where kids can come and have a good time and get ready for school,” said Elliott.