FRANKLINTON — The Washington Parish Fair Association has dedicated the 2004 Fair Catalog to G. Wayne Kuhn in appreciation of his many years of leadership and service.

Beginning in 1977 Kuhn served as stage chairman for 14 years. During those years he and his committee brought to the Fair performers such as Jerry Reed, Ronnie Milsap, Tammy Wynette, Ray Stevens, Sawyer Brown, Charlie Daniels, B.J. Thomas Lee Greenwood, Chubby Checker, and Marie Osmond.

Fair officials said Kuhn particularly enjoyed discovering unknown artists such as comedy hypnotist, Ken Whitener, and Japanese country fiddler, Shoji Tabuchi, who preformed at the Fair in the late 70's and early 80's before becoming the nationally know star of Branson, Mo. Other unique attractions that Kuhn brought to the Fair during those years included a wrestling bear, a performing elephant, Elvis Presley's limousine, and the high wire performer from the famous Wallenda family, Carla Wallenda.

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In 1987, he was honored as the Fair's Mystery Person. Elected President of the Fair Association in 1990, Kuhn, with the labor of a number of volunteers, began the children's playground. In 1993, he added children's entertainment at the playground during the Fair which over the years became a huge success. In 1988, he developed the "Down By the Branch" entertainment area, featuring a variety of performers. He's also on the Board of Director for the Fair Association.

Kuhn is a member of First Baptist Church of Franklinton where he was a teacher and director of the youth department for 25 years. A former president of the Franklinton Rotary Club, he has been named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served as president of the Washington Parish Bar Association, vice-president of the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Riverside Medical Center, and as volunteer with the Franklinton Community Theater, having most recently preformed as "Bob Hopeless", the host of the USO show. In addition, he coached for a number of years, in boys and girls baseball, softball and basketball associations.

A graduate of Franklinton High School, Kuhn received his B.A. and Juris Doctorate degrees from LSU. This year will mark his 30th year of practicing law. He is the son of Maxine Kuhn of Franklinton and the late Louis Kuhn. He and his wife Sarah, a school psychologist, have three children: Chris, the director of client services with Complete Medical Systems in Baton Rouge; Laura, a graduate student in school psychology at Mississippi State University and the 1998 Fair Queen; and Lisa, a math education major at Louisiana College.

One Fair official who nominated Kuhn said, "Wayne has managed to help keep the things of the past that work, as well as to bring in a whole new area unexplored; such as the 'Children's Playground' and Down By the Branch' activities and entertainment."

Another Fair official said of Kuhn: "His great sense of humor and sometimes comical demeanor are enjoyed by all who attend our regular monthly meetings. He can be depended on to express his opinions on issues before the board with lighthearted candor. Wayne brings laughter to our lives."