Following three decades of service, Lincoln Orff, of Jefferson, is retiring from his position as secretary of the Windsor Fair.
Since the 1980s, Orff has been an integral part of the annual Windsor Fair, serving in his role as secretary for 30 years in addition to raising steers for the fair’s livestock competitions.
Though the responsibility of fair secretary now falls to Orff’s son-in-law, Dennis Reed, Orff will remain active in the community event as a member of the fair’s board of trustees.
He will also continue to raise steers at his farm in Jefferson to take part in livestock competitions come fair time.
Last weekend at the fair, as competitors moved their steers through the show ring in the midday heat, Orff reflected on his time spent on the fairgrounds.
According to Orff, he first got involved with the Windsor Fair administration in 1980, serving as the announcer for the fair’s livestock competitions from the pulling ring.
Four years after beginning his time as a live stock announcer, he was asked to take over the duties of fair secretary.
Looking back fondly on his time as secretary, Orff said he was proud of how the board of the trustees had grown the fair and added to the fairgrounds over the years.
“We have constantly improved the fair,” Orff said.
The changes that have taken place at the fairgrounds since Orff started as secretary include new livestock buildings, a new administration office, a new security building, a new first aid building, a new covered pulling ring, and the opening of Emily’s restaurant.
In addition to the changes to the grounds, there have also been additions to livestock competitions at the Windsor Fair.
Three decades ago there were four classes of show steer; now the fair boasts eight classes of competition.
Over the years, Orff has received a substantial amount of support from his family, especially his wife of nearly 65 years, Janice.
Janice helped keep the office running during Orff’s time with the fair, tending to the bookkeeping and administrative needs of the livestock department before the time of computer-centered offices.
“When we started, everything was done manually,” Orff said.
Orff said the close relationship between the trustees has kept the fair going strong through the years.
“My relationship with other trustees has been great,” Orff said.
At last week’s fair, Orff’s granddaughters showed his five pairs of steers during competition.
In addition to his duties as a member of the fair’s board of trustees, Orff looks forward to seeing his steers show at future fairs.
