The opening ceremony of the Lee County Fair Thursday evening included a special tribute to the late Les Roth, recognizing his years of dedicated service to the fair and the lasting impact he made on the community.
Following opening remarks from Lee County Fair Board President Tony Johnson, members of the Roth family were invited to the stage as fair officials honored Les’s legacy. Les, who passed away last September, served for many years on the Lee County Fair Board and was remembered for his commitment to agriculture, youth, volunteerism, and strengthening the community through the county fair.
During the presentation, Johnson said Les believed in the values the fair represents, including hard work, community, and bringing generations together. He noted that many of the traditions fairgoers enjoy today are the result of volunteers like Les, who willingly gave their time, leadership, and effort behind the scenes. 
Fair officials thanked the Roth family for a generous donation made to the Lee County Fair Board in Les Roth’s memory. They also presented the family with a commemorative gift before asking those in attendance to observe a moment of silence in honor of Les’s service and legacy.
The Lee County Fair Board said Les Roth’s dedication and example will continue to inspire volunteers and remain a lasting part of the fair for years to come.
Les’s wife, Lora Roth, has kept the bills paid, programming scheduled, and been the smiling face to greet listeners at KILJ Radio for the past 24 years and counting.