Behind the Scenes
By Jim Evans

General Manager John Snyder and Office Manager Patrick Osio of Ramona Disposal Service. Ramona Disposal is the Gold Sponsor of this year's Ramona Country Fair. Photo by Darrel Kinney

Ramona residents typically attend the Ramona Country Fair and Junior Fair & Livestock Auction to have a good time, but behind the scenes are the unsung heroes - the numerous sponsors and volunteers responsible for making it happen.

"It is very important to have sponsors," said sponsor chairperson Karen Clendenen. "The Country Fair is expensive, and the ground rents are high. We also have to pay fees for patrol and lighting." Other necessities, like water and trash are provided at a discount, she added.

"The chamber is a non-profit and there are no means, except for sponsors and volunteers, to put it on."

Gold Sponsor Ramona Disposal heads the list of sponsors for this year's chamber-backed event.

"We have been supporting the fair for more than 15 years," said general manager John Snyder. "We hope to continue to lend our support for many years to come. After all, we live in Ramona, we work here, and being an integral part of the community is what we do."

Ramona Disposal expects to haul more than 10 tons of garbage from the fair this year, according to office manager Patrick Osio.

"We will pick up every scrap of rubbish - even the livestock manure - to keep the grounds clean," he said.

"Our equipment will be in place well in advance, and we plan to stay on top of things during the entire event. This is important to us, and we support everything that Ramona is."

Second-year fair chairperson Vince Franano is grateful to Ramona Disposal. "What a great outfit," he said. "They always come through when we need them. We are appreciative to them and to all of our sponsors."

Franano added: "We have about 25 volunteers and volunteer coordinators this year, but we can always use more help." To volunteer, call the chamber at 760-789-1311.

The Ramona Chamber of Commerce and the community of Ramona thank the following sponsors for helping make the fair a success.