Lake County Fair Hall of Fame

Wade Crofoot and Nelson and Teresa Cintron were elected to the Lake County Fair Hall of Fame at the Fair Board meeting held June 4, 2026.  The Lake County Fair Hall of Fame was introduced in 2010 for the purpose of recognizing people that have made extraordinary contributions to the fair and/or the fairgrounds. Wade Crofoot along with the Cintrons represent the 2026 class to this Hall of Fame.

Wade Crofoot has been involved in the Lake County Fair for most of his lifetime. Starting at a very young age, he was a member of Lake County 4-H.  His first love was raising beef cattle and as an adult he became an advisor for the Beef Marketeers Club.   As an advisor, Wade worked to improve several facilities on the fairgrounds including restrooms, new duck pens, cattle wash racks, show holding pens and construction of the livestock show arena.

In 2005, Wade became a member of the Fair Board representing Perry Township.  He served on several committees including Grounds, Saddle Horse, Draft Horse, Livestock and the Annual Auction Committee.  As a Board Member, Wade could always be counted on to share his many skills on capital projects, and he played a significant role in such projects as the new fairgrounds office, the Cone Barn refurbishment, and construction of the new Youth and Community Center.

Beginning in 2017 through 2025 Wade served as Fair President and led the Fair Board and the Fairgrounds though an unprecedented time of capital change and growth worth several million dollars.  He also provided leadership to the Perry Community where he lives and where he is employed by the Perry Township Trustees in their Service Department.  He has served as the Perry Service Director, for over twenty years.

Nelson and Teresa Cintron have planned and operated Latino Day at the Lake County Fair for many years.  The Cintrons used their deep roots in the Hispanic Community to build up Latino Day held Sunday of each Fair which has become incredibly successful. As owners and operators of local radio station WHWN they have been able to reach thousands in the Hispanic Community and to promote the Fair’s Latino Day event.

The extensive and authentic activities of Latino Day have not only helped to significantly increase the attendance of each Fair, they have enriched the fabric of the Fair making it appropriately diverse and inclusive to the changes and growth of the Lake County Community.  Their efforts have been extraordinary and sincere in all ways.

Wade Crofoot and the Cintrons will ride in this year’s Fair Parade and their election to the Hall of Fame will be regularly announced over the public address system throughout this year’s Fair.  They will be recognized at the Fair’s Annual Meeting and Elections scheduled for October 1, 2026 and the Fall Clam Bake to be held on October 17, 2026 at the fairgrounds. Their pictures will be displayed in the Hall of Fame located in the Fairgrounds Office.