GJCF board elections, annual meeting, Nov. 25

     The Great Jones County Fair Board will hold it’s annual meeting and election of board members on Monday, Nov. 25, at the Jones County Youth Development Center.

   Registration and voting for nominees will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. The meeting will begin promptly at 7 p.m.

   The Fair Board is made up of 22 members. Fifteen of those are elected positions; seven are appointed by different organizations that work hand-in-hand with the fair, such as Parks and Recreation, the Golf Club, the Extension Council, etc.

   Board members must be 21 years or older and reside in one of four townships within the tier in which they are running. There are four tiers and one at-large position. The at-large member can reside anywhere within Jones County.

   • Tier 1 includes the following townships: Castle Grove, Lovell, Richland, and Washington

   • Tier 2 includes the following townships: Cass, Wayne, Scotch Grove, and Clay

   • Tier 3 includes the following townships: Fairview, Jackson, Madison, and Wyoming

   • Tier 4 includes the following townships: Greenfield, Rome, Hale, and Oxford

   "Four of our five positions are open," offered Fair Manager Lucas Gobeli.

   Darin Siebels resides in Tier 2. As the vice president of the Fair Board, he will remain on the board. This means board members from Tiers 1, 3, and 4, as well as at-large can run for nominations.

   Fair Board members serve three-year terms.

   "It's a labor of love," commented Gobeli. "You're volunteering for a working board."

   On Nov. 25, all nominees must have someone present to nominate them and someone to make a second. Then, those nominees are voted on. Those present to vote must also be 21 years or older and reside in Jones County.

   "You can vote for all positions," offered Gobeli. "You're not locked into the tier where you live and at-large."

   Those present fill out paper ballots to cast their votes.

   Currently everyone serving on the Fair Board in Tiers 1, 3, 4, and at-large are eligible for re-election.

   "You can serve three three-year terms and then you have to be off the board for at least three years," Gobeli said of re-electing current members.

   The GJCF has made two of its four concert announcements for 2025. On Nov. 1, tickets for HARDY went on sale.

   "We're happy where we're at with ticket sales," commented Gobeli "We have only a few left in the amphitheater; those are the first to sell out."

   On Nov. 15, tickets for Roots & Boots (Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin, and Collin Raye) hit the market. Since making that announcement, Gobeli said he's heard positive remarks.

   The fair's annual Black Friday admissions bundle will be on sale from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. The five-day admission bundle will be on sale for $30 compared to the $38 you will pay after Black Friday or any time before the week of the fair.

   "The five gate passes can be used in any combination," said Gobeli. "We wanted to give people some flexibility to use the passes however they wanted."

   The tickets are no longer dated, allowing a family of five to use them all in one day, or for one person to use them throughout the "Five Best Days of Summer."

   Gate admission is $15 a day if you pay at the gate. If you buy an admissions ticket online in advance, it's $12. Admission is $5 on Sundays for the entire day. Those 10 years and under are free.

   By taking advantage of the Black Friday deal, you're basically paying $6 for each ticket (five tickets).

   To purchase your admissions bundle, visit greatjonescountyfair.com.