Vendors who closed their booths early at the Hancock County 4-H fair this summer are protesting a push by fair organizers to bar them from next year's event as punishment.
The Hancock County 4-H Agriculture Association has sent letters to 13 groups that had booths in the community tents at the June fair. The letter informs the operators that since their booths were unoccupied or removed prior to tear-down, they won't be allowed to return in 2013.
Many booth operators tell the Daily Reporter ( http://bit.ly/QzvpCO ) they closed early because of an approaching storm.
The agriculture association's contract requires that vendors stay at the fair until 10 p.m. the final day.
Sarah Burke of the ag association board says the panel is reconsidering its decision to exclude the groups.
