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New Fair Manager Has Decades Of Service At Event

    The Lake County Fair Board, looking to hire its third event manager in seven years, has decided to look inward.  In recent weeks, the board has formalized the hire of longtime fair participant, volunteer, and livestock show organizer Mary Ellen Jones.
    Jones grew up at the Lake County Fair.  Be it showing animals, enjoying the midway rides, checking out exhibits or eating the fair’s unique culinary offerings, Jones had the fair in her blood from an early age.  Upon graduating from Tavares High school in 2011, she transitioned into a fair volunteer and began an uninterrupted stretch of serving as superintendents at various livestock shows, an officer with the livestock show’s overall operations, and more.  She even met her husband in the fair’s livestock barn.  Now, she has been tapped for her biggest role yet, maximizing the fair’s operations for the community and next generation of participating young people.
    Jones’ appointment became official in July.
    Her appointment by the fair’s oversight board comes after years of what some might call a bumpy transition from the tenure of longtime fair manager C.E. ‘Happy’ Norris.  Jones will be the third manager of the fair since Norris retired after the 2019 event. And much like when Norris came to the position after years of involvement with the event, Jones arrives with a deep understanding of the fair.  
    “This fair has given me so many great memories and countless opportunities,” she said this week from her desk at the fair office.  “I’m looking forward to giving back.”
    Really, though, she’s already been giving back for the last 15 years.  Over the years, she’s served in a host of positions, including superintendent over the large swine and  steer shows - the two largest and most prestigious of the fair’s livestock competitions, and currently was secretary over the entire livestock event, a featured part of the fair.  That position was dear to her, she said, as it allowed her the most control in making sure livestock participants are getting all their awards and premiums as planned.  In 2024, she joined the fair’s governing Board of Directors, and in 2025 joined the fair board’s executive team.
    In addition, she has been the leader of the county’s largest 4-H Club, Gracious Hearts.  Jones said she has stepped down from that club position to focus wholly on her fair responsibilities.
    It’s been a whirlwind in her first few weeks on the job, from getting up to speed on the office computer system, diving into vendor contracts, and reaching out to other fair professionals around the state to both introduce herself and seek input.  
    So far, so good.
    “The fair industry is such an amazing network.  Talking with other professionals to gather knowledge that will help me in this new role.  It has been really good.”  
    Jones has also begun the process of connecting, and in some cases reconnecting, with local organizations and businesses who have historically supported the fair.
    “I’ve been letting them know that there is a new manager who is ready to build relationships within the community.”
    In a letter written announcing her appointment, Jones stated she is looking forward to working with the fair board and all of the fair’s partners to both honor the fair’s rich history while strengthening programs, creating new opportunities, and providing a welcoming and memorable experience for fairgoers and participants.
    Jones lives in Umatilla with her family, which includes two sons who, yes, are regular exhibitors at the fair.  
    You could say Jones has retained her youthful exuberance for the fair, even as she has grown into adulthood and learned all the ins and outs involved with pulling off the event each year.  Projecting that energy through the event is a goal going forward.
    “I want everyone to be excited like we used to be.”
    And, she hopes to bring stability to the position, offering the consistent year to year steadiness that comes with building relationships that can make the fair as successful as possible.  In that regard, she looks back to her childhood, when Norris was the familiar face keeping the event on the rails each year.
    “Everyone knew who ‘Happy’ was.  He was the face of the fair.  I want to be just like that.”
    To learn more about the fair, or to contact Jones about getting involved, visit lakecofair.com or email her directly at manager@lakecofair.com.