Joel Keene began his involvement with the Montgomery County Fair Association by assisting his children in 4-H and F.F.A. Fair Association members Eldred Harris and Warren Mowder urged Joel to become more than just a concerned parent so he joined the Association in 1972. He continued working in all aspects of the Livestock and Junior Market Sale committees and has been chairman of one, the other or both for over twenty years. Joel served the Association as president in 1982.
We had some money allotted to build new pens, but nothing was ever done. I had to give my personal guarantee to Association leaders Pratt Barndollar and Jack Brooks that I would have the pens built and installed before the Fair in order to get the funds. “Everything worked out”, says Keene, “but it was quite a job.” Additional barns, the show arena and the recently installed restrooms, the new livestock office, and the Ron Stevenson Memorial building were top on Keene’s list of improvements. “Ron Stevenson was a tremendous help to the Fair Association and the building is a nice way to remember him”, says Keene.
“I do what I do in the Livestock area for the kids. These young people are the future of our nation. Statistics show that less than one percent of youth are involved in 4-H and F.F.A. ever get in trouble with the law. That is reason enough for me”, says Keene. One of the funniest times Keene remembers is when Robert Rinkenbaugh, who was helping with the barns, was lifted up by the power of a fire hose that he was using. “Dan White, another Association member, had to slowly turn the water pressure down until Robert splashed back first into a mud puddle. It was sure funny”. “I could not have done it without all the other chairmen and members that worked together to get it all done over the years”, concludes Keene.
Joel and his wife, Diane, who is also a Fair Association member and his biggest helper, have four children – John, Jim, Liz and Joel Jr. plus 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. When not busy with the Fair or family, the Keenes enjoy raising exotic birds and a small cow herd for the purpose of raising Club calves.
Joel became a lifetime member in 1987, he still enjoys the livestock shows and the rodeo.