Fair to Honor a Blue-Ribbon Volunteer, 84

Celia Minster has always looked forward to the Ventura County Fair. A fifth-generation Ventura resident, she grew up riding the Ferris wheel with her eight siblings every summer in the 1920s.

“That was probably the most exciting ride back then,” she said.

Minster, now 84, still looks forward to fair time. Though she no longer stands in line for the rides, she is about to receive recognition for her longtime fair involvement: This is her 35th year of service as a fair volunteer.

Minster is among 115 volunteers to be honored today at the Spotlight on Volunteers awards reception at Seaside Park. Honorees will receive recognition for reaching volunteer milestones, acknowledged in five-year increments from five to 50 years.

“This fair could not run without the volunteers,” said Kim Leach, assistant to the fair events supervisor. “We feel that we have to recognize their devotion to us. Not even many marriages last 35 years, but these volunteers keep coming back to us.”

Minster has given time to numerous charity organizations. But her personal attachment to the fair shows in the annual fair posters that are framed on her walls, and the fair T-shirts and sweatshirts she proudly wears.

She has helped in the judging of competitions for baked goods and preserved foods, and currently works in the professional arts department. In 1992 Minster was presented with the Director’s Award for outstanding service in that department.

Though she has been honored before, Minster said she just can’t get used to getting so much attention.

“I like to volunteer,” she said, “but I don’t like all the hoopla.”

Still, she said she will keep it up as long as she can.

A special plaque honoring 50-year volunteer Robert Renshaw will be presented to his family at the reception. Renshaw died earlier this year.

Anyone considering volunteering for the fair is invited to attend the reception from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Seaside Park Agriculture Building. Call 648-3376 for information.