For 29 years, Leroy “Butch” Wentzel showed up. He cut brush before the Carbon County Fair had its first gate to open, kept watch over bleachers that needed to be safe for thousands of fairgoers, and made sure the demolition derby ran without a hitch.

On Monday, during opening ceremonies of the 27th annual Carbon County Fair, the work was recognized. Ann Brown, operations director at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, presented Wentzel with the 2026 Friend of the Fair Award on behalf of the state Department of Agriculture.

Brown described Wentzel as a dedicated member of the West Penn Township Lions who has served as a director on the Carbon County Fair Board for over two decades. She said he led fellow Lions and other volunteers in installing lighting in the agricultural tents and each year carefully inspects the arena bleachers, maintains detailed records and replaces seating as needed to ensure fairgoers’ safety. During fair week, she said, he can be found at the fairgrounds from sunup to sundown, overseeing all arena events and working to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Fair President Malinda Fox presented Wentzel with a plaque on behalf of the fair.

Wentzel’s connection to the fair grew from a lifetime of Lions Club service — and from a chicken barbecue. He had been a Lion for 15 to 16 years in Berks County before moving to the area. After settling in, he was recruited into the local club in the most organic of ways.

“We moved up from Berks County and my wife and I were getting married,” Wentzel said. “We went to the Lions Club and bought chicken barbecues for the wedding party, and then they had me join the Lions Club. The first job I had was coming here cutting down brush to make room for the fair.”

He has been there ever since. Over the years, his role evolved from clearing land to overseeing the fair’s arena operations — a job that fit a man who spent his career as a mechanic.

“I was basically in charge of the arena with the demo derby and that kind of stuff. I was a mechanic all my life. It’s basically been my life,” Wentzel said.

The demolition derby became one of his signature contributions to the fair.

“It’s exciting to see them carry on the way they do,” he said. “That’s been a big moneymaker for the fair.”

When asked about his favorite memories from nearly three decades at the fairgrounds, Wentzel kept his answer characteristically brief.

“I just enjoy doing everything with the people and that kind of stuff,” he said.

Though stepping back from formal director duties, Wentzel made clear his time at the fairgrounds is far from over.

“I don’t intend to stop doing everything,” he said. “I’ve just given up the official responsibilities.”