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Brian W. Dodd, Director
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With Music Sadness The 2020 Ohio State Fair Has Been Cancelled.
It is with the mixed feelings of both heaviness and hope that we send this message to each of you. As you have probably heard, the Ohio Expositions Commission announced today that the 2020 Ohio State Fair has been canceled. While one of our greatest joys is being on the Fairgrounds each summer with amazing youth from across Ohio making music and memories together, we fully support this decision, as it is in the best interest of the health and safety of our youth, our staff and the general public.
The staff of the All-Ohio State Fair Band and All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir will be reaching out to all members, parents, music educators, alumni and friends within the next few days to keep you in the loop about moving forward this year and into the years ahead.
The Ohio Expositions Commission released the following statement today:
“The Ohio Expositions Commission announced that it will cancel the 2020 Ohio State Fair, originally scheduled for July 29 – August 9 in
Columbus. Members of the Commission expressed concern for public health, as well as the financial feasibility of hosting a socially
distant fair that would adhere to social distancing protocols and its impact on the long-term viability of the Ohio State Fair.
“After careful thought and deliberation, we have decided to cancel the Ohio State Fair. Knowing how easily the virus spreads in large
groups, we believe it is the safest path forward for the health and safety of all Ohioans.” said Andy Doehrel, chair of the Ohio Expositions
Commission. “The financial ramifications of hosting a reduced-capacity Fair would be too great, and we need to protect the great Ohio
State Fair for future generations.”
“Our first priority is the safety of the hundreds of thousands of people involved in the Ohio State Fair each year. While this is a difficult
decision, we feel it is necessary to protect the fairgoers, exhibitors, volunteers, vendors, partners, performers, concessionaires, youth
leaders, employees and sponsors,” said Virgil Strickler, general manager of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair. “I look forward to seeing
my fellow Ohioans at the 2021 Ohio State Fair, when it is safer for us to enjoy our favorite traditions together.”
Last year, 934,925 people attended the Ohio State Fair during its 12-day run. These attendees came from each of Ohio’s 88 counties, all
50 states, the District of Columbia, as well as Canada and Mexico.
The Ohio Expositions Commission is focused on developing a strategy to responsibly reopen its year-round facilities when appropriate,
and to welcome guests back for the 2021 Ohio State Fair, scheduled for July 28 through August 8 of next year.”
We look forward to making music and memories with you soon . . . .
It is with the mixed feelings of both heaviness and hope that we send this message to each of you. As you have probably heard, the Ohio Expositions Commission announced today that the 2020 Ohio State Fair has been canceled. While one of our greatest joys is being on the Fairgrounds each summer with amazing youth from across Ohio making music and memories together, we fully support this decision, as it is in the best interest of the health and safety of our youth, our staff and the general public.
The staff of the All-Ohio State Fair Band and All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir will be reaching out to all members, parents, music educators, alumni and friends within the next few days to keep you in the loop about moving forward this year and into the years ahead.
The Ohio Expositions Commission released the following statement today:
“The Ohio Expositions Commission announced that it will cancel the 2020 Ohio State Fair, originally scheduled for July 29 – August 9 in
Columbus. Members of the Commission expressed concern for public health, as well as the financial feasibility of hosting a socially
distant fair that would adhere to social distancing protocols and its impact on the long-term viability of the Ohio State Fair.
“After careful thought and deliberation, we have decided to cancel the Ohio State Fair. Knowing how easily the virus spreads in large
groups, we believe it is the safest path forward for the health and safety of all Ohioans.” said Andy Doehrel, chair of the Ohio Expositions
Commission. “The financial ramifications of hosting a reduced-capacity Fair would be too great, and we need to protect the great Ohio
State Fair for future generations.”
“Our first priority is the safety of the hundreds of thousands of people involved in the Ohio State Fair each year. While this is a difficult
decision, we feel it is necessary to protect the fairgoers, exhibitors, volunteers, vendors, partners, performers, concessionaires, youth
leaders, employees and sponsors,” said Virgil Strickler, general manager of the Ohio Expo Center & State Fair. “I look forward to seeing
my fellow Ohioans at the 2021 Ohio State Fair, when it is safer for us to enjoy our favorite traditions together.”
Last year, 934,925 people attended the Ohio State Fair during its 12-day run. These attendees came from each of Ohio’s 88 counties, all
50 states, the District of Columbia, as well as Canada and Mexico.
The Ohio Expositions Commission is focused on developing a strategy to responsibly reopen its year-round facilities when appropriate,
and to welcome guests back for the 2021 Ohio State Fair, scheduled for July 28 through August 8 of next year.”
We look forward to making music and memories with you soon . . . .
Welcome to the All-Ohio State Fair Band
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The All-Ohio State Fair Band was founded in 1925 and was known as the All-Ohio Boys' State Fair Band. It was then, as is now, comprised of superior musicians from throughout the State of Ohio. The founder and first director was Jack Wainwright (1925-1931) of Fostoria. He has been followed by four other directors: Louis E. Pete (1932-1966), Jack O. Evans (1967-1969), Omar P. Blackman (1970-1998) and Donald F. Santa-Emma (1999-2015), who has retired after 17 years as director and 42 years on the staff - he remains on staff as Director Emeritus. Brian W. Dodd, a fourteen year member of the staff as Assistant Director, Percussion, is now in his fifth year as director of the AOSFB. The members of the AOSFB annually arrive at the Rhodes Center near the end of July to begin several intense days of rehearsal. The talented musicians then take part in a rigorous pre-fair schedule where they rehearse over 60 pieces of concert music of various styles and genres as well as numerous marches. Throughout the run of The Ohio State Fair the Band members perform nearly 90 concerts while continuing a long-standing tradition of entertaining Ohio's citizens. |
These kids come in and maybe they don’t know each other, but they can make music together and that’s something they have in common. Their musical skills improve and their leadership skills improve, and then they go back to their home high schools just better players and better leaders.
Brian W. Dodd, director
from Farm and Dairy, "Part of a legacy: Dodd named band director for All-Ohio State Fair Band," June 24, 2016