Fair names Farm Bureau 2024 parade marshal

MONROE — Monroe County Farm Bureau, a longtime food vendor at the Monroe County Fair and a major supporter of agricultural exhibits and 4-H animal auctions at the fair, has been named honorary grand marshal for the 2024 fair, set for July 28-Aug. 3.

The bureau was picked by the 36-member fair board of directors to lead the July 28 procession that annually kicks-off fair week, Darryl Diamond, fair manager, announced last week.

Last year's fair marshal was retired Monroe News reporter Dean Cousino.

The bureau has had a food concession at the fair for the last 74 years -- since 1949, said Anna Sahloff, administrative manager for the bureau. The popular eatery is located at Milan and Raisinville steets in the middle of the fairgrounds off M-50. The concession lies just east of the sheep and hog barns.

Previous Coverage: Dean Cousino named Monroe County Fair Parade marshal

"It started as a tent at the same corner where it is now and was managed by the Young Farmers Committee," Sahloff said last week. "In 1951, the Women's Committee took over hosting the tent."

The building was completely enclosed in 2005 with multiple renovations made after that, she said. In the last 10 years, air conditioning was added to provide a more comfortable dining atmosphere for visitors on hot days.

The bureau's board of directors learned about the marshal accolade at its meeting last week, said Sarah Mathe, president of the 12-member board.

"The board was very excited," Mathe said. "That was not on anyone's radar."

She said the board discussed inviting volunteers who have worked at the concession to ride in the parade with bureau staff and shift leaders.

"We have volunteers, young farmers, insurance agents and members of the community action groups who have stepped up over the years to work in the building," Mathe said.

Jim Setzler retired as supervisor of the concession after the 2023 fair after many years directing the preparation and serving of food and refreshments. His wife, Donna, served as a shift leader.

Rollin and Mary Webb of Newport managed the concession for many years before retiring in 2015. Jim and Donna Setzler succeeded them and served as co-managers from 2016-23. Multiple generations of the Ralph and Jean Setzler family of LaSalle have worked in the building over the years, Sahloff said.

Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content.

It will be Farm Bureau's first appearance in the parade since it sponsored a float in 2019 to mark its 100th anniversary as an organization, Sahloff said.

Mark Jarrait, a Farm Bureau insurance agent, is one of the major sponsors of concert entertainment in the grandstand at the fair.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Fair names Farm Bureau 2024 parade marshal