As a boy, Donald Everett parked cars one year at the West End Fair and his payment was a hamburger.

“That was a great payment,” Everett, now 91, said Wednesday during the annual luncheon attended by fair leaders, local dignitaries and business sponsors.

To his surprise, Everett was honored for his 59 years as a fair leader. His father was a founding member of the fair, which is in its 98th year.

Everett grew up at the fair and into various leadership roles. He began as a Chestnuthill Township director in 1960.

He served as fair president from 1978 until 2018. He stepped down and handed the reins over to Dale “Peanut” Greenzweig, Jr.

Everett has also been head of concessions for many years.

“I knew nothing about this. It was a very nice luncheon. Peanut kept his mouth shut and never said a word to me,” Everett said after the event.

Everett received proclamations and plaques from township supervisors, county and state officials and the West End Fair Association.

Sen. Mario Scavello called Everett a “shining example of community service.”

Greenzweig presented Everett with his name placard and gavel, which he used every meeting during his tenure.

“He was a mentor for a lot of fair directors. I worked with him a little bit on concessions. He showed me how to deal with vendors and customers. His knowledge is so immense,” said Donald A. Schneider, a Jackson Township fair director for 30 years.

Each township – Chestnuthill, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Polk and Ross – has six directors on the board. They represent the township where they live.

Michele Altemose, concessions office secretary, called Everett “an excellent boss.”

She has worked for him for four years and has a favorite fair food.

“Donald and I have Dutch fries for lunch every day of the fair,” she said.

Perhaps you have seen him driving a bright orange Kubota 4x4 around the fairgrounds this week.

“He’s out driving around keeping an eye on the vendors. He keeps the key in his pocket. Sometimes if I ask, I get to drive it,” said Greenzweig. “It’s his buggy for the week.”

Everett is on the go at the fair, and he is not going anywhere.

“I might as well stay on another year. I learned a lot over the years. From the beginning to now, so many changes have occurred,” he said.

One of Everett’s favorite fair memories is the diving mules they had years ago.

“They would dive into a big tub of water,” he said.

Most of all, every year he enjoys seeing all the people who come to the fair and waves to the kids.

Fair leaders also honored Sheriff Todd Martin with an award for his years of service during the luncheon.

The fair runs through Saturday at the West End Fairgrounds, 570 Fairgrounds Road, Gilbert. Gates open at noon each day. Admission is $6 for age 11 and over and free for 10 and under. The buildings close at 10 p.m. each night.