On my way to an agricultural awards event on the eve of the Santa Barbara County Fair, on Santa Maria Fairpark grounds, I passed by the Great American Petting Zoo. I had to stop and hobnob (from afar—the gate was locked) with a pen full of captivating small animals (goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys, and two llamas, or alpacas?).
Ready for opening day, the cute critters lured me momentarily from my path. They were busy chowing down, reminding me it was time for dinner. I continued on to the Fountain Pavilion, an impressive facility to which I had heretofore never been.
The Fairpark held its annual before-the-fair reception and awards dinner on Tuesday evening, July 11. About 250 came to see outstanding members of the agricultural community be recognized.
The big room looked terrific. Autumn Aquistapace, the Fairpark’s events coordinator, did a notable job of pulling everything together. Columns of turquoise balloons festooned the podium, illuminated by a backdrop of lights. Turquoise covers were on top of white tablecloths. Carrying out the color theme were the turquoise shirts of board members and staff.
By happenstance, I had chosen to wear a turquoise hat with some bling. Am I psychic or what? I fit right in.
There was a no-host bar and the inevitable buzz that comes with enthusiastic socializing before a tri-tip dinner (with mashed potatoes as well as beans) catered by The Swiss. Mashed potatoes at these kinds of affairs are a prized rarity and deserve mention.
Agricultural Recognition Awards were presented after dinner. With her usual charm and aplomb, Mayor Alice Patino handed out certificates. Dan and Pam Doiron were named Livestock Producer(s) of the Year. Mark English, who owns a company that sprays crops from the air (among other things), won the Agri-Business Person of the Year award. As the recipient of the Directors Choice Award, Pat Barca did not go home empty handed. Along with a jacket (received by all the winners), he was given a folding director’s chair (a cute touch). A really good-looking belt bucket may have been among his loot.
Farmer of the Year accolades went to third-generation Santa Maria Valley ag person Dick Donati of Rancho Guadalupe. Dick made some thoughtful remarks about life in agriculture. We must be mindful, he said, of the limited resources we are dealing with, namely land and water. He also cited the need to have and appreciate good people working for you.
Board member Dottie Lyons played the part of roving photographer, taking snapshots of winners receiving their certificates, as well as group pics at tables.
Chuck Walker and Emily Vargas-Smith came over from Lompoc for the occasion. Chuck is a former Fairpark board member. City Manager Rick Haydon and City Council members Mike Cordero and Etta Waterfield were among the dignitaries in the room.
The delightful Amanda Fowler, a recent Cabrillo High School graduate from the Lompoc Valley 4-H Club, won this year’s Fairpark Foundation Scholarship ($2,500 in scholarship money and $2,000 in cash). She has been raising pigs for the fair and loving the experience. Animal science studies at Cal Poly are in her future.
Thanks to the sense of humor of board President Randy Jones, who emceed, there were quite a few laughs.
This event celebrated the agricultural heritage of the Santa Maria Valley in a most delightful way.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at column151@gmail.com.
This article appears in Jul 20-27, 2017.