The Fair Has Big Shoes To Fill

By CORINNE MESSER

The Progress

The Clark County Fair in Logandale has been in operation for many years. And for 29 of them, Fair Manager Kevin Willard has been a driving force behind the scenes. But Willard has decided to step down this year, and the consensus among his peers is that the role he has played will be irreplaceable.

Willard began his fair journey in the early 1990s. “The first year we moved here, my wife Vicki helped with the entertainment,” Willard recalled. “Then the next year I was asked to be on the Fair Board where I served for several years.”

Fair CEO Todd Robison explained: “In the late 1990s, when Fair Manager Lynn Bowler retired, Kevin and I had dual roles. I ran the business side, and Kevin ran the volunteer side and worked with the sponsors. As the years passed, our responsibilities morphed into what we were best at.”
Robison said that Willard always had represented the fair well with radio and TV interviews.

Another one of Willard’s attributes was that he was always willing to do whatever was needed, Robison said.
“Kevin would always tell me, ‘I live next to the fairgrounds, what do you need?’” Robison said. “He did a lot of the intangibles. He would say, ‘I’ll take care of this,’ and it didn’t matter for who or for what. He was a go-to person to help fill in wherever he needed to be. How do you replace someone like that?”

Fair Operations Manager Shannon Zobrist recalled that when she first started working for the fair, she noticed how Willard genuinely cared for and connected easily with people. That’s why he did so well with fair outreach, she said.
“He really cares about you; not as an employee but as a person,” Zobrist said of Willard. “And that is something we will miss. That is key to an organization doing well.”

Denise Robison, Entertainment Director/Office Manager has worked with Willard in fair entertainment for years. She said that if there was ever a problem Willard was the one who knew how to deal with it. He would always help them through it.

Denise commented how much she will miss having Kevin’s seasoned knowledge and help. “We can’t replace Kevin,” she said. “There is no one who can.”

Willard was instrumental in starting the popular Mutton Bustin’ event at the fair. Mutton bustin is similar to bull riding or bronc riding. But it involves young children who ride against the clock on the back of a sheep. Through the years, the event has grown to become one of the fair’s most popular attractions.

Willard also helped launch the Wildlife Exhibit Hall. Located on the north end of the fairgrounds, it replaced the Heritage Village. It is sponsored by the Nevada Department of Wildlife and focuses on hunting, fishing, and Nevada’s State Parks. Archery target shooting and fishing from a huge fish tank are two children’s activities that have been offered inside the Hall. Big Game raffles are offered there annually.

Robison explained that Willard had decided to step down last year after the banner attendance achieved in the 2022 post-COVID season.
“After that 2-year COVID hiatus, it was very challenging to get the 2022 fair up and running again,” explained Robison. “When the 2022 fair was over, Kevin said, ‘I don’t think I have the energy to do this anymore.’ I made offers to him but he finally said, ‘It’s time for me to step away.’” We still talk.

He still has a great love for the fair. But he realizes it took a lot of time and effort and that he isn’t getting any younger.”
“We have had some really good times and some stressful moments,” Robison reflected. “I will always consider him a lifelong friend.”

Robison also mentioned that it takes a household to support the people who work with the fair. Willard’s family was always very supportive. His kids were always helping him and would come home for fair week. “Kudos to his family for supporting him!” said Robison.

Fairgoers may even pleasantly recall a few years ago when Kevin’s wife, Vicki sang at the fair; and a few years after that when Willard’s musical children and wife formed a band and performed at the fair.

Willard stated he has a lot of good memories working for the fair. Most of them have to do with the people he worked with: the fair board, the entertainers, and the sponsors. He says he learned a lot from board members who aren’t here anymore, such as Lynn Bowler, Glen Hardy, Doug Schwartz, and Jerry Haworth.

“I am grateful to the community for the support over the years,” said Willard. “That’s what’s unique to our fair, there are so many volunteers. We wouldn’t exist without them.”

Willard said there were times when the organization was in a bind because a needed piece of equipment, coming from out of town, fell through. But he said that he could always make a phone call to someone local, who would tell him: “No problem, we’ll take care of that for you.”
“If I were to take anything away from this experience, I’ve learned not to overreact to stressful situations,” Willard said. “By and large, they work out and it’s okay. The fair should always be a happy event, so no matter what, act with kindness.“

This motto rang true with Zobrist. “Any time I didn’t feel I could deal with an angry party, Kevin would come in and could diffuse the situation,” she said. “By the time the people left my office, the angry party was okay. I don’t know how we will replace someone like that.”

There is no fair manager for the time being but whoever does replace Willard will certainly have big shoes to fill.