Thomas L. Barresi, a former fair board member who passed away last August, will be honored with the 2010 Friend of the Chautauqua County Fair award.
"Tom helped bring the Chamber of Commerce networking mixer to the Chautauqua County Fair," noted volunteer fair association president Lon Robinson. "He served our country and our community well. He was a decorated World War II veteran, an educator, a public official, a radio newscaster and a true friend of the fair."
The annual Chamber event was held Thursday night at which the award announcement was made. Barresi became known as "Mr. Chamber" for the many years he presided over ribbon-cutting ceremonies at area businesses.
Barresi's widow, Marilyn, will accept the plaque made in his honor prior to the start of the fair's Tuesday night demolition derby at the Budweiser Grandstand.
She also will make the most famous announcement in motorsports: "Drivers start your engines."
The 129th edition of the Chautauqua County Fair runs July 26 Aug. 1 at the fairgrounds in Dunkirk. The fairgrounds is owned and operated by the not-for-profit Chautauqua County Agricultural and Fair Association, Inc.
Advance sale ticket and event information is available online at www.chautauquacountyfair.org.
