Bobby Jenks, Cleveland County Fair manager was awarded the Holmes-McBride Award at the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs convention in Raleigh on January 7, 2017. Each year, individuals who have worked hard to promote not only their fair, but have made a difference to the entire fair industry in North Carolina, are considered for the Holmes-McBride Humanity Award.
The award is given in memory of two great men who were dedicated to the fair industry: James Holmes, Past-President of the Association and manager of the Durham County Fair for many years and Woodie McBride, longtime Associate Member Concessionaire and Carnival Operator. Both of these men helped many newcomers with their vast knowledge of the fair industry and always had a dollar to lend someone who was down.
The Holmes-McBride Award is given to an individual for distinguished achievement in, or contribution to, the Fair Industry. The award was received by the late Joe Goforth, former Cleveland County Fair manager, in 1991 and by the late Ferrell Jenks, concessionaire and employee of the Cleveland County Fair, in 1995. It is fitting that Bobby Jenks, son of Ferrell and protégé of Joe, humbly accepted this prestigious award for 2017.
Recipients of the Holmes-McBride Award must be a living member, or past member, of the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs who has been consistently active in the fair industry for a number of years.
Submitted by Tammy Falls