It’s difficult to think of a time in August when we aren’t craving a mountain of cotton candy, a free concert under the stars, a stroll through the livestock barn, or a night of crash ’em up demolition derby entertainment.

The Utah County Fair, which is scheduled Aug. 17-20, is a tradition that has endured since this area was first settled. Today, the 125-year-old tradition of agriculture, crafts and livestock remains a huge influence on the longevity of the fair as well as the community.

“Utah is the largest agricultural county in the state,” said Mike Stansfield, director of the Utah County Fair. “And we have over 1,000 4-H participants in the county.” That long-standing interest in agriculture and livery results in a huge presence at the Utah County Fair.

How many open-class entries were cataloged last year? Stansfield estimated just over 7,000 entries were from 4-H members, and over 4,000 entries were submitted from citizens, and all of those entries were prepared, handled, and displayed by volunteers.

“We are always short on volunteers,” Stansfield said. “We always need hundreds of people to put this on. There are so many people doing so many different things, and it’s all volunteer.”

Perhaps the greatest need for volunteers is supervising the big ticket events like the demolition derby and the monster truck show. DJ Hicks, coordinator for the fair volunteers, has experienced his share of glitches during the past seven years of overseeing the volunteer staff, but he has always handled it with his signature calm and level-headed style. He is optimistic that this year’s events will run smoothly.

He relies heavily on help from his family, friends and people who are happy to return every year, but he can always use more people.

“For the past few years I’ve been relying on my children and their friends as well as other dependable people who return every year. But, I can use people to watch the gates at events, for example, and operate the scanners for checking tickets. I’m pretty flexible on the age.” Hicks added that the volunteer duties are an ideal opportunity for corporations or local businesses looking for ways to serve the community and have a lot of fun while doing it.

A big motivator for the county fair staff is the love of children, tradition and the element of family. “We try to give all of the kids a fun experience while being at the fair,” Stansfield said. Last year, more than 2,500 kids came through the Kid’s Corner that included free face painting and fun activities. Also, more than 2,000 kids visited the STEM trailer. People helping with those activities were all volunteer.

“We try to keep as much of the events free of charge for patrons as possible to be sure the fair’s activities are accessible to anyone who wants to attend,” Stansfield said. But as the popularity of the events grows, so does the need for volunteers.

An example of that need is the challenge of handling a sold out event where ticketholders are showing up at the same time. Tickets for this year’s demolition derby sold out in eight hours. With that popularity comes an anticipation that compels some people to find a way past the gates without having a ticket. Hicks pointed out that a full staff of volunteers can be sure patrons can get to their seats quickly, and only those with tickets are allowed into the arena, thus eliminating the risk of blocked walkways or exits. Those measures ensure everyone’s safety.

“I like doing it,” Hicks said, adding that this job as the volunteer coordinator goes beyond a mere sense of civic duty. “I enjoy seeing something of this size come together and work smoothly. I feel a sense of accomplishment. And I enjoy seeing neighbors, friends and people I know coming out and enjoying the fair.”

“We would love to have more people come to the fair, and we are constantly trying to find combinations in events, attractions and activities that appeal to more people while we celebrate our history,” Stansfield said.

“This fair is a celebration of county and heritage,” he said. “In a world where so many other state and county fairs are dying out, we are seeing growth. This is a tradition that is too much a part of our history to let go. I used to go to the fair when I was a little boy. My dad loved to see the sheep and pigeons. I cherish those memories with my dad. Our heritage is worth trying to keep alive. Despite the rapid growth and trends toward a more urban community, I just think it’s worth preserving the heritage that settled this area.”

If there is an event you enjoy, chances are there is a need for volunteers to help operate it. Organizers encourage residents to come be a part of a longstanding, Utah County Fair tradition (and, bring your friends).

If you are interested in volunteering for this year’s Utah County Fair, email DJ at DJ_hicks@hotmail.com. For more information on the events scheduled, please visit utahcountyfair.org.