The New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs held its annual convention in
Rochester, NY in January and John W. Burr of Eugene St. , Lowville was elected
President of the Association.
John is only the 3rd person from the Lewis County Agricultural Society (Lewis County
Fair) to be elected to this position in its 123 year history. The first president was Harold
F. Woolschlager, followed by Dr. Harry P. OʼConnor.
Mr. Burrʼs responsibility extends to all 48 county fairs, youth fairs in New York State,
plus the New York State Fair. Totally these fairs generate over 4 million fair goers
annually.
John has served on the Lewis County Agricultural Society Board of Directors and Board
of Managers since 1974 and has served as Chairman of the Entertainment committee
since that time. He handles most of the Master of Ceremonies and public address
announcing during the course of the fair and keeps busy the rest of the year with
various other public address announcing venues, including demolition derbies, stock car
races, snowmobile races, tractor pulls all over NY State plus the Lewis County Cream
Cheese Festival.
John and his wife Carole, who is also involved with the Lewis County Fair have a
daughter Rebecca and her husband along with 3 granddaughters who reside in
Kingston Ontario Canada and a son Timothy and his wife and 2 granddaughters who
live in Watertown, New York.
Mr. Burr comments that he is humbled by being elected to this position and that his love
for the County Fair and what it means to our community is what propels him to work the
hardest and do the best job he can for the betterment of the Lewis County Fair and all
the member fairs in New York State.
John is very involved in the community and is a member of the Elks Lodge 1605, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars (serving in Korea 1963-1964). He is past Patrol Leader of the
National Ski Patrol, Snow Ridge in Turin, NY and was one of the two original EMTʼs of
Lewis County. He is also only one of 4 people to earn the prestigious Jack Burgess
Award for announcing achievements at the DIRT Race Car Hall of Fame.
