Area resident to be honored at fair

A lifelong Centreville-area resident will be honored this weekend by the St. Joseph County Fair Board of Directors.

Fair Manager Bill Johnson announced Wednesday that the indoor show arena at the east end of the fairgrounds will be named the Henningsen Show Arena. The honor recognizes Nottawa Township resident Fred Henningsen and his family for their decades of supporting the annual fair.

Henningsen, 80, said he became involved in the fair as a 10-year-old 4-H student and has been a part of the fair every year since, he said.

Johnson said Henningsen insisted his first name not be a part of the naming, and instead asked fair officials use his surname to recognize his family and their involvement with him.

An open house to honor Henningsen and the building naming takes place 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in the community tent.