The lady known as the “Matriarch of the Columbus County Fair” was honored Saturday night with a statewide award for her work promoting the event.
Ann Ferguson worked with her late husband Jimmy Ferguson to promote and expand the Columbus County Fair, said current fair president Jess Hill. She was presented with the Holmes McBride Humanitarian Award Saturday at the state Association of Agricultural Fairs convention.
“Jimmy Ferguson was president of this fair for decades,” Hill said, noting that the former sheriff was also a recipient of the Holmes McBride award. “If he were here today, he would state that his silent partner, his wing woman, his companion and wife, Miss Ann Pugh Ferguson, deserved just as much credit for this high honor and award.
“You can’t love a fair as much as Jimmy Ferguson did without your spouse loving it just as much.”
Miss Ann was one of the first “saw dust soldiers’, the volunteers who work throughout the year to ensure every detail is attended to before the fair opens.
“As a board member she is solely responsible for the publishing of each year’s fair book,” Hill said. “More than 2,000 copies are distributed throughout the county and the region” promoting the event.
“Since the first days of her husband’s involvement in this fair, she has literally and figuratively been married to it,” Hill said. “She continues this service for the love of her community as well as making sure this fair, the one her beloved husband loved so much, continues for another generation to enjoy.”
Miss Ann was honored alongside Brian Bitner, who owns B&K Carnival. The firm is a longtime participant in fairs across the state.
The Columbus County Agricultural Fair bought home several awards Saturday, including the 2023 Image Award, 2023 Innovation Award, 2023 Youth Award and 2023 Agriculture Award.
“We couldn’t do this without the support of our community and all our hardworking volunteers and partners,” Hill said. “We look forward to making this year even bigger and better than ever.”
