January 23, 2024
By Eve Copeland

John Ricketts, a long-time advocate for Ohio’s agricultural community, was recently inducted into the prestigious Ohio Fair Managers Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony, held on January 11, celebrated Ricketts’ outstanding contributions to the Fairfield County Fair and his unwavering dedication to promoting agricultural education and youth development.

John developed his love of agriculture on the family farm. Seeing the Fairfield County Fair as an opportunity to spread that love, he served as a Fair Board director for 53 years. He believed in agricultural innovation and recognized the fair as a platform to educate the community about agriculture while sharing new farming practices.

“John’s representation on various agricultural boards influenced many generations of farming and non-farming families,” said Nikki Drake, a local manager of the Fairfield Soil & Water Conservation District. “The fair is a great way for those aren’t knowledgeable about farming to learn about it.  Agriculture education was important to him and that legacy lives on.  It is great to see his dedication be acknowledged via the Hall of Fame induction.”

Cheryl Ricketts, John’s daughter, shared the family’s pride in his achievements. “The Fairfield County Agricultural Society (FCAS) nominated Dad for the OFMA Hall of Fame in late October. The father of one of the board directors, Connie Smith, was president of his high school FFA Chapter and dad was the advisor. Connie is the person who initially recommended that FCAS nominate dad for the award, and she was responsible for submitting the nomination. The OFMA Executive Director contacted Connie on November 6, 2024, to let her know that dad had been selected for induction. Of course, our mom, Rita Ricketts, and the rest of our family were proud and honored.”

John was keenly aware of the cultural and economic significance of the fair. He advocated for the addition of historic buildings, including the doctor’s office owned by his great grandfather. His final board responsibility was the Speed Program, and his love for harness racing led his family to create and support the Ricketts Pace Race. John’s interest in and love for harness racing was inspired by another Pickerington native, his uncle Richard D. Ricketts, who was a trustee of the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame and was elected as Immortal to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1990.

John’s contributions extend beyond the fairgrounds. He began his career as an FFA Instructor, weaving his love of agriculture into the lives of his students through classroom instruction and summer trips. He and his wife, Rita, partnered to build a successful farming operation. They encouraged their four children and grandchildren to be actively engaged in 4-H leadership and mentored many others who became leaders in various agricultural careers.

Multiple generations of the Ricketts family have been actively involved in 4-H leadership, a significant part of the Junior Fair. The family has taken a variety of livestock projects, including beef cattle, dairy feeder calves, hogs, sheep, market goats, chickens, and turkeys, as well as projects in tractor maintenance, leadership, genealogy, rocketry, sewing, and cooking. Many of these award-winning projects were displayed at the fair.

The couple’s combined passion and dedication to the Fairfield County Fair is exemplified by the 2013 construction of Ricketts Family Hall, which serves as meeting space for the fair board and other community events.

John and Rita were also active in the community. John was a member of the Fairfield Soil & Water Conservation Board for 23 years, a Violet Township Trustee for 32 years, on the Pickerington School Board for 12 years and a 65-year member of the Violet Grange. John and Rita were founding members of Epiphany Lutheran Church.

Rita, who accepted John’s award, is a leader in her own right as the first woman mayor of Pickerington and recipient of the Athena Leadership Award from the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce. At 93, she remains one of the oldest members of the Agricultural Society and relishes her annual trip to the fair.

“The Fairfield County Fair has always been an integral part of our life; in fact, one family member would tell you it was as special as Christmas or an all-week birthday,” Cheryl added. “The fair is about connecting, competing, having fun with your community (extended family, neighbors, and friends), and of course, eating. Our family loves Madison’s Fish, peppermint taffy, fair fries, and Weldon’s ice cream. Mom frequently brought food from home, and we’d have a picnic. On the busiest day, she’d bring fried chicken dinner, and our extended family and friends would contribute to the feast. For a special treat, Dad would take us to the Director’s room in the Dining Hall for a family meal.”

Cheryl continued, “We connected as we competed in the livestock shows, during overnights in the trailer, and when caring for our livestock. Although everyone wants to be successful, there was a focus on helping others do well. 4-H’s motto is ‘To Make the Best Better.’ So, during the week, people looked for ways to encourage each other, share ideas, and develop others to continue to improve. Lots of smiles, jokes, and pranks were shared throughout the week.”

The members of the Fairfield County Fair Board expressed their gratitude for the selection of their longest-serving director for induction into the Ohio Fair Managers Hall of Fame.

The Ohio Fair Managers Hall of Fame, established in 1976, honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the state’s fairs. The governor selects the inductees each year, and the nominating committee ensures that only the most deserving candidates are chosen.

Ricketts’ induction is a testament to his lifelong commitment to agriculture and his efforts to promote the fair as a vital platform for education and community engagement. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations to pursue careers in agriculture and support the state’s rich agricultural heritage.