Bill Fisher Recalls 50 Years With The New Holland Fair

When a 25-year-old Bill Fisher joined the New Holland Farmers Fair board in 1972, phones were still attached to the wall, "google" was just a funny word, and those wishing to compete in the New Holland Fair had to belong to the New Holland Community Club, of which Bill was a leader.

"I was in charge of the pig department," said Bill, who noted that the club was run through the Lancaster County Extension. "We would get the pigs in the spring and weigh them and tag them, and (the contestants) would show up with those two pigs," recalled Bill, who said when the system was restructured, the club moved to the county level. He noted that the open county-level competition brought in about twice as many pigs as the local show had. Bill pointed out that the timing of the New Holland Fair makes it unique in the countywide livestock competition because animals that are not at the right weight for the Denver or Ephrata fairs have a chance to compete.

Taking over leadership in the swine show came naturally to Bill, who worked with his father, Earl Fisher, on the Stauffer Homestead Farm near Goodville from the time he was 12. "I came out of high school and my dad gave me free charge of the pigs," said Bill, who added that at that time his father managed the farm for ABC Groff. Bill began exhibiting in the fair around age 11, later joining the board along with his father.

Currently, the livestock judging takes place in a fenced area near the New Holland Sales Stables, but when Bill began volunteering, it was in the parking lot of what was then Earl Sauder's Feed Mill. Sensenig's Feed Mill is located there now. Bill praised the Sales Stables for help in this area. "They work with us 100%," he said. "If it weren't for them, we'd have a tough time (holding the competition)."

One of the big changes Bill has seen was the purchase of the Meke building, originally a tobacco warehouse and later a sewing factory, on the corner of Franklin Street and Roberts Avenue in June 2009. "We hope to remodel the building," said Bill, who noted that the fair board is working with local legislators to obtain grants for the project. "We'd like to make it more of a community building," he said.

Bill has served as vice president for the fair, and in 2018 and 2019, he served as president. More often, he has worked with Bob Lauffer, former Garden Spot High School agriculture teacher and Grassland FFA adviser, in overseeing the livestock competition. He recalled that sheep were added to the competition around the time Lauffer joined the fair organizers in 1990.

"There's a second and third generation of members (taking part) now," said Bill. "There are parents that were the children at one time bringing their children (to compete)." Bill added that he believes raising livestock is educational. "It teaches the kids life skills, a good work ethic, and money management skills," he said. "I like working with the kids."

Bill recently received a special award for his five decades as a member of the fair board.

The New Holland Farmers Fair celebrated its 90th event in 2022. The organization is always looking for volunteers. More information about the fair may be found at http://www.newhollandfair.org.