Art "Bulldog" Downs The 85th Annual Fisher Fair is dedicated to Art Downs Born into farm life, Art was the son of a farmhand who grew up working for the same farmer. From an early age, he developed a deep love for farm life and, of course, county fairs.

Art "Bulldog" Downs

TERRY
SWYEAR

Terry Swyear The 85th Annual Fisher Fair is dedicated to Terry Swyear Fisher Fair is proud to announce that Terry Swyear is the recipient of the dedication at this year’s 85th annual fair. Terry and the Swyear family have been an integral part of the Fisher Community Fair for over 30 years.

In 1990, when the Fisher Fair lost its announcer, Happy Jack Knoel, Art stepped in at the 48th Annual Fisher Fair. With Jack Alexander serving as president, Art took on announcing all of the grandstand events except the car show. Over the years, those events included horse pulls, the strongman contest, snowmobile pulling, the combine derby, tractor pulls, and the demolition derby. It remains the only car demo he does.

Throughout the years, Art has watched the Fisher Fair grow and prosper, and in turn, the fair has been strengthened by his faithful presence, dedication, and unmistakable voice. For so many fairgoers, Art has become part of what makes the Fisher Fair feel like home.

His love for the fair, his commitment to the community, and the many years he has devoted to this tradition have left a lasting mark. It is because of people like Art “Bulldog” Downs that the spirit of the Fisher Fair continues year after year.

Since 1992, Swyear Amusements has been the carnival provider for the Fisher Fair, creating a long-standing partnership with our community. Terry played an important role in continuing and strengthening that relationship over the years.

Terry became the owner of the company and led it until his passing in 2025. We deeply valued Terry’s friendship and his dedication to the fair. His son Alex and daughter Amy have now taken over the business, and the fair continues to have a strong relationship with Swyear Amusements.

The Fisher area churches also help by providing a home-cooked meal the night before the fair opens each year. It is a true working relationship during fair week. The Swyear family and their employees greatly appreciate the generosity our community shows to their hardworking team who travel all summer

The Swyear family is outstanding in the amusement industry. They are from New Athens, Illinois, and truly enjoy coming to the Fisher area.

Congratulations to the Swyear family on this well-deserved dedication honoring Terry’s impact on the Fisher Community Fair and the amusement industry. We are grateful for the hard work and dedication Terry gave to our fair, and we honor his memory. May he rest in peace.

He was an FFA public speaker and began announcing at local celebrations. His first paid announcing job was at the Ford County Fair in 1970.

His love for the fair, his commitment to the community, and the many years he has devoted to this tradition have left a lasting mark. It is because of people like Art “Bulldog” Downs that the spirit of the Fisher Fair continues year after year.

It is with sincere gratitude and pride that this year’s Fisher Fair is dedicated to Art “Bulldog” Downs.