‘Big Bad Birthday Bash’ Is The Theme for 2008 Mid-Winter Fair

By

Steve Larson

The 2008 California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta will celebrate its 100th Anniversary with a “Big Bad Birthday Bash.”
The theme of next year’s fair was announced by Bo Shropshire, president of the board of the 45th Agricultural District which sets policy of the Imperial Valley Expo and the California Mid-Winter Fair.
The IV Expo, home of the fair, has been located on East Second Street in Imperial for more than six decades.
“The number 100 is a magic one for our fair next year,” Shropshire said, “We are looking forward to showing off not only our Valley’s businesses and culture but also our excellent facilities that we plan to continually improve upon.”
He added the 10-day fair’s Centennial will have one more unique aspect: it begins on “leap day,” Feb 29, 2008 and runs through March 9.
“We will be planning many events to mark this milestone in our history,” he said. Shropshire became board president in June, replacing Joe Montenegro who had served in the position for two years. Darrel Bostic is board vice president.
Assisting the fair board and other organizers will be the 22-member junior fair board which will include 10 new members this year. They are Ashley Armendariz, Southwest High School; Kaylin Beltran, Southwest High School; Megan Brady, Holtville High School; Brian Burgun, Southwest High School; Sean Cameron, Brawley Union High School; Josh Cordova, Southwest High School; Samantha Roberts, Central Union High School; Jasmine Salgado, Calipatria High School; Alysa Teran, Calexico High School and Jenna Weeks, Imperial High School.
Returning Junior Fair Board members are Kate Elmore, Brawley Union High School; Tessa Saikhon, Southwest High School; Brooke Plourd, Holtville High School; Emily Claus, Brawley Union High School; Barbara Beltran, Southwest High School; Bleu Grano, Imperial High School; Taylor Hoskins, Brawley Union High School; Emily Smith, Brawley Union High School; Ty Chalupnik, Brawley Union High School; Kyle Mohomed, Brawley Union High School; Anthony Nilson, Brawley Union High School and Justin Smith, Brawley Union High School.
Junior Fair Board Officers for 2007-08 include Kate Elmore, president; Tessa Saikhon, first vice president; Brooke Plourd, second vice president; Emily Claus, treasurer and Barbara Beltran, secretary. Advisors are Debbie Cameron and Cindy Elmore.
In addition to Montenegro, Bostic and Shropshire, other 45th District Agricultural Association Board Members include Cherisse R. Alford, Richard Acosta, Rosalinda S. Cardenas, Frances Beope, Rosalia Ulloa, and Brenda S. Scaroni. Lee Hindman is the treasurer and Charles Borchard is chief executive officer.