EATON – The first rides for the midway have arrived at the fairgrounds, and final preparations are under way for the 171st Preble County Fair, beginning Saturday, July 31 and going through Saturday, Aug. 7.
The first Saturday of the fair, July 31, is Veterans Day, and veterans and a guest will receive free admission. There will be a veterans’ memorial service at the front gate flagpole at 11:30 a.m. Along with various scheduled livestock and other competitions, demolition derby fun will kick off at 6 p.m. in the grandstand, and the annual pie and cake auction will take place at 7 p.m. in the Produce Barn.
Ohio Colt Stakes Racing begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 1, and at 7 p.m., the free Skid Steer Rodeo and Hay Stacking competitions will take place for more family fun. There will be musical entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. in the grandstand on Monday evening, and a rodeo at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Wednesday, Aug. 4, is Senior Citizens Day, with seniors aged 65 and older being admitted free. Wednesday night at 7 p.m. will feature the annual Dirt Flat Drags.
More than 1,000 members of 4-H and FFA will compete in the Preble County Junior Fair this year, according to Junior Fair officials.
The projects to be exhibited are the culmination of a year of work for the Jr. Fair participants, according to organizers. The 4-H projects to be displayed include everything from large and small animals to clothing, foods, and special interest projects ranging from archery, electricity, collectibles, and woodworking, to rockets, first aid, creative arts, and natural resources.
FFA members will also display large and small animals as well as shop and crop projects. Junior Fair organizers are expecting approximately 1,500 animals, 50 food projects, 15 clothing projects, and more than 100 miscellaneous projects to be on display throughout the eight-day exhibition. Animal species to be exhibited will include poultry, dairy cattle, goats, beef, rabbits, sheep, swine, llamas, alpacas and horses, and even dogs.
For more information and Jr. Fair schedules, check out the special Fair Preview section inserted in this edition of The Register-Herald.
