A year ago, Brian Rakers played a key role in the Montgomery County Fair, adding new camping spots and completing electrical updates to the fairgrounds.

The work helped the Montgomery City native earn a big award on March 22 at the Fair’s Vegas Night Fundraiser, held at the Merchants Building. He was selected as the Fair’s Volunteer of the Year for 2025.

“It’s kind of nice to be noticed like that,” Rakers said. “I work well with all of the guys on the fair board out there. For them to show me appreciation, it means a lot. I’m glad that people are appreciating it.”

With this year’s Montgomery County Fair coming in less than three weeks, Rakers hasn’t stopped working. Since late May, he’s been helping with the electrical work upgrades in the cattle and hog barns.

“There’s a little bit to finish up yet,” Rakers said.

The 79th annual fair is scheduled to run from July 20-25. Rakers said he goes to the event every year.

“The best thing about it is being able to go out and see a lot of people you don’t see every day, a lot of old classmates and people who are not in the area all of the time,” Rakers said. “There are a lot of people who come out and visit and just get to see old faces.”

Rakers became the 47th individual to win the Fair’s volunteer of the year honors. Every year since 1985, the fair has given out a volunteer of the year award to someone who made a huge contribution to the biggest event in the county. The honor has been given out every year except 2020, when the fair was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rakers received his award from Fair Board Vice-President Joe Oden at the Vegas Night Fundraiser.

“He’s been a friend for a long time and we know each other pretty well,” Rakers said.

Rakers credits his employer, Lumix Electrical in Fulton, for winning the award. He has been doing electrical work for almost 30 years.

“Lumix Electric holds a big part of that,” Rakers said. “They’re the ones who covered all of the labor costs and expenses.”

Rakers said last year, he helped add about 10 new camping spots to the fairgrounds.

“It was one of those things in which they had a big turnout of campers,” Rakers said. “They didn’t want to turn anyone down, so they asked me if I could make it happen and we were able to get material in time. We were able to get those spots fixed up to where everybody has a spot to go.”

Also in 2025, Rakers and his crew worked with Ameren in making electrical updates at the fairgrounds, such as putting in services for the carnival rides, RV spots, rabbit barn and the auction barn.

“We’re looking to just do a lot more with the fair and help them get where they need to be,” said Rakers, who graduated from Montgomery County High School in 1999.