Michael Bethke (left) was recently named manager of the Santa Cruz County Fair. (Photo by Tarmo Hannula)

Michael Bethke will replace John Kegebein as Santa Cruz County Fair manager on April 1.

Bethke, a general building and engineering contractor who lives in downtown Santa Cruz, served on the fair’s board of directors for four years before his term ended in October. He was selected out of a pool of 26 applicants. The announcement was made Tuesday night.

Kegebein’s work for the fair goes back four decades. This will be the second time he has retired.

“He will have some big shoes to fill,” fair director Bruce Oneto said.

Bethke acknowledged as much.

“Those are big shoes they are expecting me to fill and I find that a daunting task, but I am sure I can make a good run at it,” he said. “John’s been my mentor for five or six years. I tell people I want to grow up and be just like John Kegebein. Now I will get to do it as his successor.”

For the complete article see the 03-18-2010 issue.

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