Barron "Boots" Hetherington, special adviser to the governor who works for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and is the fair funds administrator, said he has the best job in the world: giving money to fairs.

"The state does support its 109 fairs in two ways, through operational funds and premium awards. We get questioned that if the state has financial problems, why are we supporting fairs? Well, what is the top industry in the state? Farming. The second is tourism. So we're investing some money in our two top industries," he said.He presented the West End Fair with two checks, one for $29,000 for operational and $8,802 for premium awards.When asked if he has a favorite fair, Hetherington said that every fair has its own unique qualities, but he admits that the West Endn Fair's annual luncheon is a very special treat. He should know. Out of the state's 109 fairs, he attends between 90 to 95 each year.The luncheon is the fair board's way of thanking the many people who support it.At the beginning of the luncheon, which is all homemade and prepared by the fair's directors, Galla, the second half of the Dan and Galla duo who are a daily attraction at the West End Fair, welcomed everyone."It takes many people to run a fair, and you have been keeping it wonderful for 93 years. When the fair bug bites, you gotta go with it," Galla said.Dan Naylor, chief officer of services for Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture said the department and fairs have a partnership to make the fairs safe."We protect each and everyone at the fair. I like coming to the West End Fair to see the trees and I always enjoy this luncheon," Naylor said.