Lila Harvey awarded Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions 2024 Youth Volunteer of the Year
Lila Harvey, Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions 2024 Youth Volunteer of the Year. Photo courtesy of the Manchester Community Fair Board.
submitted by Manchester Community Fair
Several board members, associate members, and spouses of the Manchester Community Fair Board traveled to The Michigan Association of Fairs & Exhibitions’ (MAFE) 140th Annual Convention, January 9–11, 2025, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids Michigan. Attendees of the convention were able to participate in workshops and roundtables and view showcase acts and trade-show booths to look for ideas to improve the fair. This year a fair board member brought home an honored award from the annual MAFE banquet. Ms. Lila Harvey was recognized and awarded the Overall Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for her service to the Manchester Community Fair.
As described by the MAFE website, “The Michigan Association of Fairs & Exhibitions recognizes that volunteers are the lifeblood of Fairs. The annual Volunteer of the Year recognition program is designed to showcase the contributions made by volunteers throughout Michigan.” The Volunteer of the Year Award was given to seven adults and four youths who have gone above and beyond for their fair. Youth winners included Elijah Wackler of Oakland County Fair, Ben Mellema of Newaygo County Agricultural Association, Kylie Goodman of Chippewa County Fair, and Lila, who was recognized as the overall Youth Volunteer of the Year Award winner.
Volunteers have been a huge part of the success of the fair and fairs couldn’t last without volunteers and the special people who do it year after year.
Lila has been associated with the Manchester Community Fair ever since she could help. She has been a volunteer for our fair for more than 12 years starting out when she was very young. During this time, she has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to service, consistently going above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in our community. One of the most recent projects Lila has taken on was all of our social media accounts and our website in the hopes of reaching a larger audience and a younger group of individuals to attend our fair. She has been involved in bringing the youth perspective to the fair board. She helps with whatever needs to be done during set-up and tear-down of the fair. She has multiple jobs during the week that she handles exceptionally well without any issues. Lila is always willing to do whatever is asked of her and always has a great attitude and a smile on her face. What sets Lila apart is her genuine compassion and desire to help others. She embodies the values of kindness, perseverance, and community spirit that are essential for creating a better future. Her dedication, leadership, and profound positive impact she has made on our community are truly commendable.
The Fair Board welcomes any ideas you may have for the upcoming Manchester Community Fair. If you would like to share your ideas for the 2025 Manchester Community Fair, please contact the fair via email at manchesterfair@yahoo.com; contact the Fair’s President, Angie Fuller, at 734-260-1019; message us through our Facebook page; or feel free to contact any other fair board member. The Fair Board would like to hear from the community on what they would like at the Manchester Community Fair and ways to improve the fair. We look forward to seeing you August 5–9, 2025.
Slide shown at the banquet. Photo courtesy of Manchester Community Fair.
Executive Director of Michigan Association of Fairs & Exhibitions John Schut with Lila Harvey. Photo courtesy of Manchester Community Fair.
Manchester Community Fair Board President Angie Fuller and Lila Harvey. Photo courtesy of Manchester Community Fair.
Manchester Community Fair Board members who went to the convention. From left to right — Danell Proctor, Angie Fuller, Darryl Kuebler, Rebecca Harvey, Lila Harvey, Steven Harvey, Carol Britten, Jacob Mann, and Kathy Richardson. Photo courtesy of Manchester Community Fair.
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