Eleanor Neubert and Kathy Lobb, longtime managers of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Livestock Show and Fair, were inducted into the Massachusetts Agricultural Fair Association Hall of Fame at a weekend ceremony that included a surprise appearance by family and friends.

The event took place at the Tri-State Fair Convention in Sturbridge on Nov. 11.

Long known as the Fair Ladies, Eleanor and Kathy will retire this year after more than three decades managing the annual fair that draws some 20,000 people to West Tisbury over four days every August.

Both were unaware that they would receive top honors until the banquet and presentation, family friend Eve Heyman told the Gazette in an email.

In addition to family and friends, members of the fair crew came to the event to show their support. A speech was read in their honor.

The 2017 fair also won several other awards, including first place for the premium book, first place for advertising specialities, second place for the poster and second place for a potpourri category.

But “the largest and most amazing honor was for Kathy and Eleanor,” Ms. Heyman said.

Ms. Neubert grew up in West Tisbury on Flat Point Farm and remains a member of an extended farming family there.

Ms. Lobb has lived on the Vineyard since 1972 and lives on a family homestead in West Tisbury where she raises vegetables, fruits, flowers and chickens.