EATON – A new digital sign advertising events and activities at the entrance to the Preble County Fairgrounds is installed and displaying for the world one more state-of-the-art improvement for the grounds.
The sign, provided through donations from the Timken Foundation and Preble County Development Partnership, proudly shows off what is coming soon: the 168th edition of the Famous Preble County Fair.
This year’s fair gets under way Saturday, July 28, with food, fun and competition of all sorts highlighting the week-long festivities.
From freshly painted and refurbished buildings to a new addition on the Expo building, to the recently completed brand new office complex building, lots of hard work and donations have fallen in place to aid the facelift for the fairgrounds, just in time for the upcoming fair season. The new office complex houses the Preble County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Medical Services, and the Preble County Agricultural Society.
Running through Saturday, Aug. 4, the fair gives 4-H and other Junior Fair participants a chance to compete with projects they have worked hard preparing all year, and gives families from around the area a traditional week of fun and entertainment.
From livestock shows to demolition derbies, tractor pulls to rides and games on the midway, visitors are sure to find an event to their liking — including a complete rodeo for the third consecutive year, on Tuesday, July 31, at 7 p.m.
Veterans’ Day kicks off the fair once again, on Saturday, July 28, with the annual ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m. prior to the parade’s arrival in front of the newly refurbished grandstands around noon. The parade will line up at Eagles Point (former Eaton Middle School) on Cherry Street, beginning at 10 a.m. and will leave from there at 11:30 a.m.
The annual Pie and Cake Auction will begin at 7 p.m.
Saturday evening will close with a demolition derby slated for a 6 p.m. start time. Other events on tap for the first half of the week include: Sunday, July 29 and Monday, July 30 — Ohio Colts Stakes racing, 4 p.m.; Monday, July 30 — a Skid Steer Rodeo beginning at 7 p.m. in the grandstands; and the NTPA regional truck and tractor pull will be Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m.
Veterans and one guest will be admitted free on Saturday, July 28, for Veterans’ Day; and Wednesday, Aug. 1, is Senior Citizens’ Day, with free admission for those 65 and older.
More than 1,000 members of 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA, will compete during the Preble County Junior Fair.
Junior Fair organizers are expecting approximately 1,500 animals, 50 food projects, 30 clothing projects, and more than 100 miscellaneous projects to be on display throughout the eight day exhibition. Animal species on exhibit will include poultry, dairy cattle, goats, beef, rabbits, sheep, swine, llamas, alpacas and horses. Members of 4-H and FFA learn to properly care for their animals and/or complete their projects by working with their 4-H advisors, an Agricultural Education teacher, parents, and/or other members.
The projects on exhibit will culminate a year of work for each youth organizations’ participants. The 4-H projects to be displayed include the following: large and small animals, clothing, foods, and special interest ranging from archery, electricity, collectibles, and woodworking, to rockets, first aid, creative arts, and natural resources. The FFA members will also display large and small animals as well as shop and crop projects. These projects include toolboxes, cabinets, boot scrapers, flowers, vegetables, field crops, and more.
Fairgoers will be able to watch Preble County youth participate in a clothing style review, numerous livestock shows, the Cook-Off and Mystery Mixer, the Food Show, Barn Games, and much more.
