Mid-State Fair inducts three new Hall of Fame members
Katcho Achadjian, Linda Hamers, and Matt Masia.
– The California Mid-State Fair Board of Directors inducted three new members into their Hall of Fame at the board’s annual dinner held Friday, Feb. 3.
Katcho Achadjian
Katcho was appointed to the California Mid-State Fair Board of Directors by Governor Pete Wilson in 1992 and served until 2000. He volunteered for many committees and brought his expertise as a businessman to our board. When the governor had proposed eliminating funding for FFA programs in high school, Katcho fought for this program and won over many city legislators across the aisle. He never misses our annual Cattlemen and Farmers Day, shaking hands and listening to the concerns of the agricultural community as he has done for the last 20 years of public service.
Linda Hamers (posthumously)
Linda was a volunteer in multiple areas at the Fair for many years. She started at the main desk as a receptionist and then moved to the Dolly Bader Floriculture Building where she received all the flower entries. She also helped clerk the judging as well as rearranging and displaying the flowers that need to be changed daily so Fair-goers saw fresh entries. Linda helped develop an area in the Home Arts for Special Stars, a play area dedicated to children with special needs. Linda lost her courageous battle with ALS on June 29, 2016.
Matt Masia
Matt was part of 4-H and in high school, he was President of the FFA, showing many animals at the Fair over the years. His first steer was an Angus named George. He was part of the Paso Robles High School Judging Team and traveled in the school van with Mr. Sullivan to judge in the Central Valley. He also grew vegetables and entered them at the Fair for many years. Matt owns and operates The Black Oak and The Adelaide Inn, which are volume buyers at the Jr. Livestock Auction every single year. Matt’s grandfather Hugh Black started buying animals right after the Fair started in 1949 and they have not missed a year. Matt’s favorite time of the year is the 3rd week in July when the 4-H and FFA families move in to the Fair.
In addition to the Hall of Fame inductees, the board of directors also presented the following awards:
Resolutions
Rick Johansen – Air Rite
Brett Butterfield – The Ravine Waterpark
Peter Orradre & Bill Roth
Top Auction Buyer
Woods-Claeyssens Foundation
Top Heifer Buyer
Randy Flamm
WFA Blue Ribbon Award
San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association
California Mid-State Fair Employee of the Year
Hector Vergara
California Mid-State Fair Volunteer of the Year
Steve Mowry
California Mid-State Fair Sponsor of the Year
Albertsons
IAFE Special Presentation
JB Dewar – Karen Cipolla & Ken Dewar
Cattleman of the Century
John Lacey
