While the entertainers are here to make money, they also spend money, he noted, pointing out they often fill up their vehicles at gas stations and make requests for directions to Wal-Mart.

The only request which wasn’t approved was for alcohol, which isn’t permitted on the fairgrounds. Deshner declined to reveal which entertainers requested it.

Deshner said the shopping is done daily because of lack of storage space at the fairgrounds. The caterer provides the fruit and veggie trays, so basically his staff shops for the other requests.

The bill is usually between $2,000 and $3,000, he said.

Deshner has been working at the fair since 1970 when he started parking cars. He began working with the entertainers in the early ’80s — when stars from “The Lawrence Welk Show” were featured. He recalled that when JoAnn Castle was the featured entertainer, he had to take out the piano, a stool and a microphone and plug it in.

“It’s a long way from then,” he said, with the major sound systems set up at the fair.

He also has “runners” available for the entertainers if they want something from local stores purchased. Another request he fulfills when asked is to arrange for laundry to be done if the entertainer has been on the road awhile.

He tries to accommodate the singers as much as possible to make their short stay in Crawford County enjoyable.

Shanley retired this week from the Tribune.

Toby Keith

Keith now has his own catering bus, but he is not bringing his own caterer to the fair. His crew will eat food provided by the county.

He had no special requests except ice and soda.