Ashland County Fair carries on traditions - skillet-throwing is just one of them

Women’s skillet throw participants were hard-pressed Sunday evening to trace the origin or duration of the unusual tradition at the Ashland County Fair.

It has been going on at least 30 years, several of them said.

Patty Fliger, wife of Wes Fliger, a member of the fair’s board of directors, called her mother-in-law, Charlene Fliger, in an attempt to nail down an answer.

According to Charlene Fliger, who served on the board for 32 years, another former fair board member saw the competition in Maine and introduced it in Ashland some time during the '90s.

Patty Fliger, whose daughter signed her up to send the flat, paddle-like skillet soaring down the prescribed yellow line, said there is “no technique” to playing.

Two categories of competitors − 18 to 60 years of age and over 60 − try their luck in the Coliseum in front of an enthusiastic audience lining the bleachers.

Ruby Murphy, who placed second Sunday evening in the over 60 age group, said she first read about it in the newspaper.

Murphy, who has lived in Ashland for 54 years after relocating from West Virginia, remembered thinking, “I want to go do that.”

“I just enjoy doing it,” she said, agreeing there is no strategy. “I’ve won, and I’ve lost.”

Shanon Craft of Ashland was a winner last year, based on her occupation, she said.

“I work for FedEx; I lift heavy things,” she said.

When it comes to the fair, the 2024 king is following in family footsteps

The new Junior Fair king, Nicholas Cartwright, a junior at Ashland High School, also is dedicated to tradition at the fair. This year’s only contestant for king, he hopes to reinvigorate the category by participating.

“I really wanted to keep (it) alive,” said Cartwright, a junior at Ashland High School.

He added, “I love every little thing about (the Ashland fair and the community).”

His grandfather, David Eichelberger, is a fifth-generation farmer in Ashland and Richland counties, and the person Nicholas admires the most.

Nicholas Cartwright officially stated his career goal as a farmer, but also is considering the field of education.

He already has written a so-far unpublished “little kids’ book (called) Build Your Farm.”

His grandfather and his grandmother, Diana Eichelberger, are fair veterans themselves. Diana showed sheep for many years in 4-H.

“I also took sewing and cooking,” she said.

David Eichelberger worked with dairy cattle and a “wide variety” of rope projects. He started the Savannah Hardworkers club.

“Our kids all showed dairy, beef and sheep,” Diana Eichelberger said, and grandchildren have been following suit, soon to be joined by great-grandchildren.

Keeping up the tradition has been hard work, they confirmed, but now they get to sit back and watch.

This year's queen wants 'to spread the joy'

The 2024 Junior Fair queen, Sage Runion, an Ashland High School student attending the Ashland County West Holmes Career Center, is studying for a career in agriculture and veterinary science.

Runion will reign with a court of four Kaitlyn Griffey, Scarlett Wilhelm, Danielle Stemen and Chloe Crowe, the first runner-up.

“As a little kid,” Runion said, she was enamored with “pretty queens and princesses.”

As a queen herself, “I get to spread the joy,” she said, reliving the magic for little girls at the fair who believe she is actually a princess.

“I love going around to other county fairs” as an Ashland fair representative, Runion said.

K9 demonstration and director of the year

K9 Marko, one of three German Shepherds with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, also got time on the stage doing a demonstration in the Coliseum.

It occurs every year on Sunday at 4 p.m., said Deputy Rick Kinter, and incorporates obedience, sniffing out narcotics and even biting an associate through a bite suit to show being “recalled from the bite,” Kinter said.

The fair as a tradition for Ashland County families was emphasized during Sunday morning’s opening ceremony in the Pavilion.

Jeff Jones, the fair board member who earned this year’s distinction as director of the year, said, “My mom and dad instilled this place into me when I was young. It’s like a family, and I really enjoy it."

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Women toss skillets, family tradition for Ashland County Fair king