Fred Stratmeyer Jr., deputy secretary for Plant Industry and Consumer Protection for the Department of Agriculture (right) presents the Friend of the Fair award to Jackie Carson and Lucas and Liam Olexsak accepting the award for Lester Knox at the Big Butler Fair on Thursday July 5, 2018.(Justin Guido photo)

This year's recipient for the Friend of the Fair award missed the presentation, but not for lack of love for the beloved event.

Lester Knox of Evans City, the 2018 recipient of the award that recognizes the efforts of event organizers and volunteers, suffered a stroke on Tuesday, according to his daughter, Jackie Carson.

Carson accepted the award on her father's behalf in front of a crowd of friends and family.

“This is his fair family,” Carson said. “He looks forward to seeing them every year.”

Carson said Knox's family is hoping for another full recovery, as this was not her father's first stroke.

She said she will take the award to her father, who is still in the hospital, and she is thankful to all who have reached out to support him through the troubling time.

“He said to me, 'This is the first time I haven't been at the Butler Fair in 60 years,'” Carson said. “His heart is here.”

Read the full story in the Butler Eagle.