EATON — A public committee, led by Harold Niehaus, is working together to draft a new Preble County Fair schedule.

The idea behind the meetings came during a fair board meeting during which Niehaus requested permission to research changing the schedule. He noted, many participants have conflicts between different shows, activities, and even the Ohio State Fair. The committee is working together to reduce those conflicts.

During a second meeting, held on Wednesday, Oct. 3, the group discussed species showmanship placement and even moving the parade to a different day.

All changes to the fair schedule are dependent on one variable: what day the sale will be held. Right now, the group is working on a drafted schedule which has the sale on Friday. Once they complete that schedule, the committee members will work on a schedule which has the sale on Saturday.

To prepare, the committee sent out information and surveys to all buyers from 2017 and 2018. From that information, the committee was able to capture 189 email addresses of buyers. The group mailed out 350 cards to buyers as well.

The committee has a current response rate of 15 percent. Most of those buyers indicated they would attend the sale regardless of the day, with the remaining voting for a weekday, according to Niehaus.

It was noted, most of those responses were individuals, not businesses.

These meetings are open to the public. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 806 at Eaton Middle School. Attendees are asked to enter through door “D” from the EMS parking area on Camden Road.