<p>Volunteer of the Year Tom Spoo.</p>

Receiving the highest honor given by the Umatilla County Fair, Bryan and Lou Ann Wolfe were named grand marshals of the 2012 event.

Its a great opportunity for us as a fair and community to recognize them for their quiet and committed service, said Buzz Brazeau, fair board chairman.

The announcement was made during Saturday nights annual appreciation dinner held in Thompson Hall on the fairgrounds in Hermiston.

In addition, Tom Spoo of Hermiston and Carol Mills of Adams each received volunteer of the year awards.

This is rather unbelievable and very, very humbling, Lou Ann Wolfe said when taking the stage. It is an honor and we will proudly wear our badges.

Whether its needing a fan in a building or extra feed for animals, Brazeau said the Wolfes always come through when fair staff or board members find themselves in a jam. In addition, they freely share their knowledge with 4-H and FFA participants and their parents.

They take time if there are kids that want to talk to them and get their expertise, Dan Dorran said. Its incredibly fun to watch.

Tom Spoo

Board member Mel Keely said whenever you need him, Spoo can always be found somewhere on the grounds. Clough agreed, calling Spoo a go-to guy.

As guests arrived, Spoo was busy in the kitchen preparing the meal. In addition to sharing his culinary skills during special events, Spoo lends a hand to many projects. Whether its building a new scale pen, fixing the beef stalls or hanging signs, Dorran and Brazeau said Spoo spends a lot of time giving to the fair.

Hes an extremely good mentor for volunteers, Dorran said. We always have an incredible amount of volunteers and Tom makes sure they go away with another sack full of knowledge.

Often arriving before the sun rises, Spoo is still on the fairgrounds long after the sun goes down.

Hes certainly put in the time and the years, Brazeau said.

During his introduction, Spoo was sitting in the back talking with FFA students initially unaware he was being honored.

He said when he came to the community nearly 20 years ago, the students, fair volunteers and his wife, Julie, provided support.

Carol Mills

After spending more than a dozen years in the sheep barn, Mills stepped down as superintendent of the department after the 2011 fair.

Carol is one of those people that her volunteerism is so natural that you almost take her for granted, Dorran said. Year in and year out, Carol has her duties and then you catch her helping with other duties.

Alice Newman, a long-time fair volunteer and past recipient of the fair managers award, said Mills always provided tremendous support for those involved in 4-H and FFA.

In addition, Newman always looked forward to Mills yearly arrival on the grounds.

She comes to the fair in this little van and she gets out this little tiny pocket level and sets it on the dashboard and makes sure her van is level, Newman said with a laugh.