RURAL OLYMPICS HALL OF FAME
The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame was founded in May, 2005. Our Mission is to honor those whose outstanding actions and extraordinary contributions to the Rural Olympics have resulted in its continued success, popularity, and quality. The Museum will collect, preserve and display artifacts and historical information pertaining to the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival Rural Olympics for the purpose of documenting the agricultural heritage of the Antelope Valley for future generations.
“Golden Hay Hook”
The “Golden Hay Hook” is awarded by the Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival to those inducted into the Rural Olympics Hall of Fame for their outstanding participation, support and/or performance in the Rural Olympics.
Click on each year in the right column to view full stories >
Directors Award 2008
The Antelope Valley Fair and Alfalfa Festival presented the Rural Olympics Hall of Fame Committee with the Directors Award at the Fair Kickoff Dinner in 2008.
Pictured from left to right: Directors Deana Ward and Ron Emard; honorees Bill Rawlings; Marion Ritchie, widow of Willard Ritchie; Giovanni Simi; Barbara Sterk; Glenn Losey; David Pickus; Jerry Sterk; Directors Shawny Barcelona and Matthew Jimmink. Honorees not pictured are: Walt Detjen; “Red Dog” Mansperger; Ray McCormick; Steve McCormick; and Kirk Wallis.
2022 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2022 ROHOF Inductees The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following candidate for induction in 2022. Johnny Cat One of the most impressive records in Rural Olympics history belongs to Jonny Rodriguez or Jonny Cat as he came to be known since one day...
2021 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2021 ROHOF Inductee The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following candidate for induction in 2021. Casey Alesso As Casey Alesso receives his Golden Hay hook Award and is inducted into the Rural Olympics Hall of Fame it will be his...
2020 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2020 ROHOF Inductee The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following candidate for induction in 2020. Chris Yates Five first place victories, five second place finishes and one third place in the highly competitive and complicated Gravel Truck...
2019 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2019 ROHOF Inductees The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following two candidates for induction in 2019. The 2019 Golden Hay Hook Awards were presented at the AV Fair Kickoff Dinner to Cousins Glenn Losey II and Lori Losey. They are pictured above...
2018 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2018 ROHOF Inductees The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following two candidates for induction in 2018. Receiving the Golden Hay Hook Awards at the 2018 AV Fair Kickoff dinner are from left: Max Harter holding Adalyn, and Randy Jaqua. Max Harter...
2017 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2017 ROHOF Inductees The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following candidates for induction in 2017. The 2017 Golden Hay Hook Awards were presented at the AV Fair Kickoff to Rich Breault Paul Knapp and Liz Breault by John Knapp on left and by Bill...
2016 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2016 ROHOF Inductees The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following candidates for induction in 2016. The 2016 Golden Hay Hook Awards were presented at the AV Fair Kickoff by Bill Rawlings, center to David Calvert, left, and John Calvert, right....
2015 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2015 ROHOF Inductees The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following candidates for induction in 2015. The 2015 Golden Hay Hook Awards were presented at the AV Fair kickoff. G. Simi at far left inducted Julie Kyle and Pete Knapp into the Rural...
2014 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2014 ROHOF Inductees 2014 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame Induction. Receiving the Golden Hay Hook Awards at the AV Fair Kickoff dinner are from left: John Krueger, Darth Eliopulos, Bert Weststyn, and Pete Weststyn. Darth Eliopulos Darth Eliopulos joined the Rural...
2013 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2013 ROHOF Inductees 2013 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame Induction Giovanni Simi, Chris Planellas, Steve McCormick and Randy Hall July 27, 2013 Giovanni Simi Giovanni Simi, or “G” as he is known to friends and family has served on the Rural Olympics Committee since 1982....
2012 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2012 ROHOF Inductees 2012 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame Induction Bill Rawlings, Danny Taylor, John Knapp, and Scott Harter July 27, 2012 Bill Rawlings Bill Rawlings started with the Rural Olympics in 1967 as the mechanic for his dad, H. Scott Rawlings, who drove his...
2011 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2011 The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following seven candidates for induction in 2011. Pictured below are; Jeff Godde, Tom Hall, and Bruce Yates receiving their Golden Hay Hook Awards at the fair kickoff dinner. Inductees not pictured are Terry...
2010 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2010 The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following seven candidates for induction in 2010. Pictured at right are, Matthew Jimmick and Shawney Barcelona (in vests). On the bottom row from left: Gus Lori nephew of honoree Frank Lori; Dixie Eliopulos,...
2009 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2009 The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following seven candidates for induction in 2009. Wayne Arnold Wayne has been a competitive person all of his life. In 1956 as a thirteen year old he obtained a parental release and competed against his...
2008 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2008 The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following eight candidates for induction in 2008. Receiving the Golden Hay Hook Awards at the AV Fair Kickoff dinner are from left: Don Padgett; Al Duncan; Dorothy Jones, widow of honoree Bobby Jones; Frances...
2007 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2007 The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee selected the following seven candidates for induction in 2007. Olin Derrick Olin Derrick has been connected to the fair since before World War II. He helped his stepfather in-law, Charles Cox with hooking up his team of...
2006 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2006 The Rural Olympics Hall of Fame committee has selected the following seven candidates for induction in 2006. Pictured at right front row: Harold "Red" Dog Mansperger; Ray McCormick; Bill Rawlings, for dad Scott Rawlings. Back row Dean Berg; Walt Detjen; Joann...
2005 Rural Olympics Hall of Fame
2005 Donald Rex Jaqua, Sr. Jan. 25, 1898 – Apr. 24, 1983 In 2005 the Rural Olympics Hall of Fame selection committee chose Donald "Jake" Jaqua, Sr. to be the first recipient of the Golden Hay Hook award. As Bill Gillis so aptly stated in his May 1, 1983 column:...
