by Danielle Ray
Chris Manring is steering a course as a new member of the Sterling Fair Committee that encompasses incorporating his self-started charity organization, named “boat,” into the framework of the fair in the form of a contest that invites families to work together to create their own advertisement for the Sterling Fair to be shared on an adult’s Facebook page. The ad could be comprised of photos, a video, coming up with a new catch phrase or hashtag for the fair, or anything else that will get people excited about attending.
“The goal is to have family members talk about their memories of the fair,” says Manring. “Just a small activity like this could bring a family together and get creative with each other, it could attract future fair volunteers, and it could drum up more people than we’ve ever had at the fair. The potential is without limits.”
Participants in the contest will send a screen shot of the Facebook post the week prior to the fair, which runs September 7 through September 9, showing the amount of likes and shares it gets. The Sterling Fair Committee will award the winner with midway ride tickets.
Manring, who grew up and resides in Sterling, came up with the idea for boat as a way to give back. Several of Manring’s family members have participated in civil service, including his great grandfather who was a police officer in Sterling and his grandmother who was a dispatcher for the Sterling police and fire departments. His grandfathers both served in World War II. “I felt I needed more purpose in my life,” he says.
The original concept behind boat was to create an organization whose brand would be all about fundraising. “Right now, it’s much more about creating opportunities for young people and their families to engage with each other and people in their community,” he says. “Screens are addictive and it is becoming a problem especially among children. But boat will provide opportunities for families to get off of screens and talk again.
“If you have an entire generation that misses out on the communication skills found in social interaction, it will certainly hamper their ability to do things like negotiate, lead, and dream. Kids don’t even use pens or pencils anymore.”
Manring was inspired to get involved with the Sterling Fair because it’s one of the last agricultural fairs of its kind. He’s currently the assistant to Sterling Fair Committee Chair Doug Downey.
“I’d like to see more young people involved with the mechanics of the fair. The committee is aging. Some members have been involved for over 30 years. They’re passionate, but tired, so we’re seeking future volunteers that are passionate about keeping it alive.”
Manring says he hopes to get more young people involved by incorporating contests such as student groups competing in some specific area of the organization leading up to the fair.
“I believe these activities will help young people over time with their communication skills,” he says. “It’s about giving them more experiences to be part of in their community and amongst their peers that they’ll remember and find useful later in life.”
For more information, visit the Sterling Fair Facebook page. Information about the boat contest will be posted on August 10.