Planning for the 2026 Manchester Community Fair; Harvey awarded for service
Steve Harvey (center) holding the MAFE Heritage Award with other members of the Manchester Community Fair Board. Photo courtesy of Manchester Community Fair Board.
by Marsha Chartrand
Each year, the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (MAFE) holds a convention in Grand Rapids at the Amway Grand Hotel to showcase new acts and innovations. This allows for planners of fairs and festivals to mingle, bounce ideas off each other, and bring new ideas back to their own events. It’s also a time for board members and planners to meet with carnival companies as, busy planning their own events, they don’t get to see much of them throughout the summer. The convention consists of three days of sessions, meetings, and roundtables on topics like safety procedures, new health guidelines, and what works for specific events and what doesn’t.
“It’s a very productive and rewarding three days,” said Manchester Fair Board member Angie Fuller. “There are fairs and festivals there from all over the state, and we usually fill the Amway and spill into other hotels in Grand Rapids.” Manchester Community Fair’s board attended this year’s convention, January 8 through 10, and brought home more than new ideas.
Each year at the annual banquet, a highlight of the convention, members of MAFE are able to recognize volunteers from various fairs for different accomplishments.
“This year, we nominated Steve Harvey to receive the Heritage Award,” said Fuller. “We had to have two board members write supporting letters on why they thought Steve deserved this award. I had to complete an application on what Steve has done throughout his time on the board and why I thought that he should be awarded this award. This had to be submitted by November 1, and I received notice the end of November that he had been chosen. We decided to keep it a secret from him. So he was a bit shocked when they called his name that evening!
“Harvey has been on the fair board for more than 20 years and has held many different titles over those years. He started with the fair when he was a child, showing animals throughout his school years. Serving on the board, he has been an associate member, a director, secretary, vice-president, president, and is now a vice-president again.”
The Heritage Award is awarded to volunteers who have served at least 10 years on a fair board. It recognizes the invaluable support volunteers provide, as fairs cannot operate without their dedication and hard work.
“I nominated Steve for this award as he has been an invaluable asset to our fair for 30+ years,” Fuller added. “He has gone above and beyond to ensure the success of our fair. Steve embodies the spirit of community service that this award represents. His passion for agriculture, education, and the fair’s traditions continue to inspire everyone around him.”
The members of the Manchester Community Fair Board are proud of their fair and proud of the spirit of volunteerism and service that makes it happen each year. Congratulations to Steve Harvey for continuing that spirit in the future.
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