More than 85 association members, advisers and guests gathered to recap the Berrien County Youth Fair Association’s 2009-10 fiscal year on Saturday night at the annual meeting held at the Youth Memorial Building, led by President Bruce Foster.

“The weather was certainly on our side this year for attendance, and we couldn’t ask for better exhibitor participation and volunteers at this year’s fair,” Foster said. He thanked the board of directors for their input and the contributions of the volunteers.

The minutes of the 2010 annual meeting were presented and approved. Susan Coulston, board treasurer, presented the annual financial report.  She reported the association’s total operating income of $1.33 million and total operating expenditures of $1.2 million resulting in an operating profit of $143,778. Capital expenditures and debt service payments brought these net earnings down to $104,756.

Coulston said, “We certainly experienced an improvement over last year. We made a conscious effort to minimize and postpone some expenses in order to financially recover from 2009. We successfully brought our operating fund balance back into a positive position as of Sept. 30, 2010.” The association remains in sound financial position. The financial report was put on file for audit.

Fair manager Lana Stover-Henderson discussed the state of the fair. She said, “Attendance was highest it has been since 2004 with a total of 128,383 fair visitors. Fair supporters came through once again to support the fish fry and silent auction which provided funds for premiums that were paid at a 50 percent level. Stover-Henderson reported having 2,565 youth exhibitors and over 13,100 exhibits. The Al Barbott Memorial Stage in the mall area continues to be a big hit with more than 20 acts performing in the afternoons and evenings of the fair week. The addition of a dance floor allowed total enjoyment of bands. The demolition derby was sold out this year and country and rock concerts were a near sell-out. Kids Day was a great success, with packed grandstands for three free performances by the circus.”

Jack Strayer, director of development and marketing for the Expo Arena at the Berrien County Youth Fair, said, “Thanks to the generosity of many of you in this room and across Berrien County, we are still on track to complete the Expo Arena by the spring of 2012. Due to hard economic times, it has been a challenge raising enough money to break ground this fall.  Due to the youth fair’s commitments, our  construction scheduled is compressed between the end of the 2011 Youth Fair and the events we have scheduled for the spring of 2012.  I want to stress that our long-time relationships and commitments to the Tom Powers Horse Show, the G.L.A.S.S. Rally, and other late spring scheduled events will come first.”

Each year six members of the board of directors are elected for a three-year term. The following incumbents were nominated and elected for an additional three-year term: Susan Coulston of Niles; Linda Shinsky of Niles; Les Smith of Niles; Dan Stacey of Berrien Springs; Jon Vollman of Three Oaks; and Jessica Krassow of Niles. Foster thanked retiring board member Mike Zeilke for his years of service.

Recognition was made for retiring poultry superintendents, Ivan and Robin Winkel of Watervliet; retiring pocket pet superintendent, Phil Woollet of Niles; and retiring horticulture superintendent Leona Dixon of Baroda. Certificates of appreciation were given to Niles Chemical Paint for its donations of paint every year and to Barbra and Ed Kolm for their countless volunteer hours throughout the year.

The “Friend of the Fair” award was presented to Pam Hirsch of Coloma and Dwane Knuth Excavating of Berrien Springs. This award is given annually to those individuals, families and/or businesses that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help with the many activities at the youth fair.

The “Outstanding 20-Year-Old Exhibitor” award was presented to Jennifer Hatfield of Coloma. Selection of this award is based on a point system covering youth fair participation and volunteering other than fair week over the last six years of exhibiting. Hatfield received a trophy and $300 scholarship award provided by the D. R. Potts Memorial Scholarship Fund. The second place 20 year-old exhibitor was Naomi Behnke of Berrien Springs, who received a $200 scholarship award. The third place 20 year-old exhibitor was Stephanie Lee of Three Oaks, who received a $100 scholarship award.

Following the annual meeting, the board of directors met to select officers for the 2010-2011 year. 2010-2011 officers elected include president, Bruce Foster of Berrien Center; first vice president, Corey Burks of Berrien Springs; second vice president, Mark Young of Niles; secretary, Karen Klug of Eau Claire; and treasurer, Susan Coulston of Niles.

The 2011 Berrien County Youth Fair is Aug. 15-20. Its theme is “Proud of the Past — Poised for the Future.”