One of the most invaluable members of our community is heading into one of his biggest weeks of the year. So what makes his job so important?

Baby Boomer Roger Finkel is the man behind the scenes. As fairgrounds maintenance supervisor he really is on the scene from morning until night at the Mesa County Fair.

"I'm going on ten years," he explained. "It seems like more."

He and his crew have a big job, but he loves the fair.

"It's a time for the kids out here. That's what the fair in my mind's all about anyway is the kids with their 4-H projects and livestock, and they enjoy it," he explained.

Planning and preparation begins well before the fair kicks off.

"It usually takes at least a couple months, but we really get into it about a week before the fair," said Finkel.

When he came to the fairgrounds he thought he might be bored. Think again Roger.

"I didn't realize that they do hundreds of events out here, so every event is different. We have horse events. We have weddings. We have funerals. We have dog shows. I mean you never know from one day to the next what you have to prepare for," he explained.

He also helps their event coordinator with the huge job of vendor setup.

"We place the tents. We mark all the power lines, all the water lines, set up all the electrical systems for the vendors," Finkel explained.

Roger has seen major improvements at the fair, both building-wise and in what the fair has to offer.

"We built a brand new barn. It's 76 stalls," described Finkel, adding, "The 4-H will use every one of them."

Coming on board right in the middle of the fair frenzy, new fairgrounds manager, JoCarole Haxel feels fortunate to have Roger and other staff bringing it all together.

"He loves the fair, and having him on staff makes my job so much easier," Haxel said.

Now you know the guy behind the scenes and his new boss. Give them both a big, "Hey!" when you see them at the fair.

"Come and join us, it's going to be a great week," Haxel exclaimed.

Finkel added, "I just hope they all come out. I mean we would like to see a lot more people. I mean the carnival is probably the best that I have ever seen."

For more information on the fair Click here