Fair Board names show arena in Jackson’s honor
Since its inception, the arena at the Sequoyah County Fair barn has been without a name.
Since its inception, the arena at the Sequoyah County Fair barn has been without a name.
That’s no longer the case. The Fair Board on Friday gave the facility a fitting name: Avis Jackson Show Arena.
Jackson, 96, was instrumental in building the current building that houses the arena, as well as being the driving force for the county’s junior livestock show, which celebrated its 58th year last week.
“We dedicated it to Avis simply because Avis was the main guy who built the building. He’s done everything from plumbing to electrical work to the roof on it. He went and sought out money to help build it, and he gave a lot of money out of his own pocket to help build that place,” said Jace Goodwin, OSU Extension Office educator for Agriculture and 4-H.
“For more than 63 years he’s been working his tail off for the county and doing a lot of it, just volunteer hours, and putting his own money into it as well. That’s why he’s so deserving, and that’s why we decided we would name that arena after him. It’s a small thing to do for a guy that’s given so much and devoted so many hours and so many years.
“He’s a much-deserving man. Something needed to be put in his honor. It was a long time coming,” Goodwin said.
“I think he’s happy with it, and I think he knows how much we appreciate him. He deserves it, to say the least. He’s too humble for his own good.
“The Fair Board got together and decided just a small piece of gratitude needed to be in his honor. Where all the action happens [the arena] is where they decided to put it,” Goodwin said.
