Gracie’s Garden sells soy candles at the Hillsdale County Fair. Courtesy | Micah Hart

Hillsdale’s “Most Popular Fair on Earth” runs on volunteers and businesses, including some with long ties to the annual event.

Shelly Wirick has worked with the fair for 27 years, introduced to this service by her father who then served as a director. Wirick and her family are no strangers to the fair.

“I’m a fourth generation director here on the board,” Wirick said. “My great-grandfather was the first one back in 1945. I make sure that I do everything to make sure everyone that comes here to the fair is happy with their experience and that they’ll come back again.”

Ashley Bogucki, owner of Divine Cutting and Laser Solutions, has been roaming the fairgrounds as long as she has lived in Hillsdale. This is her 40th year attending the fair, but it is her first as a business owner.

“You get to connect with the people of the community and a lot of people from surrounding communities as well,” Bogucki said.

Darcia Towne Daglow, owner of Gracie’s Garden, a small business that sells soy candles, lotions, and soaps, said her work at the fair allows her to see friends and family.

“For years, my parents would come up here and take care of the booth for me, so I could stay home and work on stuff. Now, they’ve both passed, so now I’m here,” Daglow said. “Beth, my friend from childhood, she comes in and helps me.”

Coming to the fair as a business owner also requires a great deal of time. Bugucki said her husband and her have prepared for the fair for the past three months.

“Me and my husband run this on the side because we do have full-time jobs as well,” Bugucki said.

Daglow emphasized the difficulty in owning a small business.

“It’s not a huge money maker, but I love what I’m doing,” Daglow said.

Loving the town is also a part of the fair, and some people volunteer their time to show their love.

One of those people is Kimberly Hedrick, who volunteers in Walt’s Donut Hut. This is her 10th year volunteering at the fair, mostly with the donut hut. She came with her team from County National Bank, which volunteers two nights of the fair in Walt’s Donut Hut.

“I love to support my community and where I live and work,” Hedrick said. “It’s a great way for County National Bank to give back to our community.”

Walt’s Donut Hut, named in honor of Walt Zinser who previously volunteered at the fair, is another place where legacy shines through at the fair. Zinser’s son, John, now helps by serving on the fair board.

This giving is also reflected in the economic organization of Walt’s Donut Hut as well. All proceeds that come from the donut hut are given back to the fair, Hedrick said.

Along with the food, fun, and games of the fair comes history.

JoAnne Miller serves as a docent in the historical society building on the fairgrounds. She is a retired teacher from Davis Middle School, and she has been serving as a docent since 2006.

“We have the Davis sixth graders come every year to the fair and they go places that they don’t usually go,” Miller said. “They go to the Women’s Congress and they come here and they go see the big equipment. They go down to the Grange Hall.”

From music, rodeo events, shopping, among other things, there is something for everyone, according to Wirick, and the fair board continues to bring in new ideas and activities to bring even more people to the fair.

“We’re always looking for something new, just something for everybody to come to, just continue that legacy,” Wirick said.