Monday at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) 125th Annual Convention, Dale Christiansen of the Lincoln County Fair in Merrill was one of five volunteers presented with the Heritage Award, sponsored by Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, according the IAFE President and CEO Jim Tucker. The convention is taking place Nov. 29-Dec. 2, at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.
Carol Porter of Haas & Wilkerson Insurance announced and presented the awards to the recipients, who were nominated by people associated with their fairs. Each winner received a plaque and $1,000, and each fair nominating the winners received $500. The nominees were required to have at least 10 years of fair management experience and could receive no more than $2,500 remuneration annually for serving in the position. The nominees’ fairs were also required to be current members of IAFE.
Christiansen has served the Lincoln County Fair for 21 years including the past 12 years as manager. Through his leadership, the Lincoln County Fair has seen changes that will keep the event and grounds maintained for years to come. He has a monthly radio talk show that discusses vital information about the fair and has been instrumental in getting the fair’s grandstand rebuilt after it was damaged in 2012.
Christiansen is actively involved with the Wisconsin Association of Fairs and served as president of the association in 2014. He has served as a district director since 2009. He has completed the IAFE Consumer Protection Program training and attended his first IAFE Convention in 2014.
In addition to the service to his fair, Christiansen is a registered 4-H leader, a member of the Wisconsin Holstein Association, the National Holstein Association, and the Wisconsin Farm Bureau.