Press Release Courtesy of the Advertiser-Tribune –
Neil Jordan, board member for Tiffin Community Foundation, will be cutting the ribbon to open the first-ever Family Fair Lights at Seneca County Fairgrounds at 6 p.m. Friday.
The Tiffin Community Foundation Tuesday donated $1,000 in Jordan’s honor to the fundraiser as part of its “Giving Tuesday” activities this year in which nine gifts will be given to local organizations – one in honor of each board member – said Jodie Reinbolt, the foundation’s executive director.
Jordan, retired president and CEO of AgCredit, has been on the board since 2020. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Jordan began farming full time in 1971 and has been helping the foundation reach out to the local farming community, Reinbolt said.
“A huge supporter of children’s literacy through The Gase Family Fund, the foundation’s light display will feature ‘Little Blue Truck’s Christmas,’ by Alice Shertle,” she said.
The foundation’s display is one of 62 businesses, nonprofit organizations, youth organizations and families providing light displays for the new event.
“We are very blessed that we have had a lot of different kinds of participation,” said Junior Fair Coordinator Emily Gilliland. “We’ve had very generous donations from Riehm Farm Market, and Upper’s Fantasy of Lights have given us supplies.”
Gilliland said the light display is a fundraiser.
“There had been a lot of interest in doing it, and my Junior Fair Board kids decided they would like take that on, and they’ve been amazing,” she said.
Money raised is going toward a new small animal barn for the fairgrounds.
“Going toward, that kind of made it seem like this was the time to do this,” she said. “Probably once we’re established and the new barn is taken care of, funds will go toward other needs at the fairgrounds to benefit the Junior Fair.”
She looks for the display to continue as an annual event.
“We already have some businesses on the waiting list for next year,” she said.
The fairgrounds will be open for vehicles to drive through 6-10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18, as well as Dec. 22-23.
Admission donation is $5 per vehicle. Cars are to enter the fairgrounds at Gate 2 and follow a prescribed path before exiting at Gate 1.
