A pair of horse trainers take their horses for a few laps the Union County Fairground this morning. In the back are a variety of rides signaling the imminent start of the Union County Fair next week.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Will Channell)
––––
The Union County Fair officially begins Sunday with lots of exciting things in store.
“This year is going to be real exciting,” Jeff Henault, vice president of the Union County Senior Fair Board, said. “There’s cool entertainment in the Grandstand, bull riding, tractor pulls, and horse pulls.”
In the grandstand, entertainment will be provided by Russell Dickerson, Walker Hayes and Natalie Stovall Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
“We’re pretty excited about the concert,” Henault said. “(They) are all pretty big right now, so it should be a really good show.
McGuffey Lane will provide additional entertainment in front of the grandstand Monday at 7 p.m.
This year will see more events and activities, including rides from a new company.
“We have a new ride company this year, ‘Big O,’” Henault said. “They started setting up (Monday), lots of rides. They seemed excited about the space and hopefully there will be new rides.”
A new show for families will also be making an appearance Tuesday through Saturday at 1, 3:30, and 6 p.m.
“A new exhibit, Wild World of Animals, will have different exotic animals, like snakes, tigers, lions and bears,” Henault said.
The kiddie tractor pull will also be making an appearance this year in the grandstand Friday at 6 p.m.
“We haven’t done it in a while, so we encourage people to come,” Henault said. “It’s pretty amazing how determined those boys and girls are.”
The fair will also include a parade Sunday at 5 p.m. starting on Sixth Street.
“One thing that’s real exciting is the parade on Sunday,” Henault said. “It’s the first parade across the new bridge.”
New things are also in store for the junior fair, which happens at the same time as the senior fair.
According to Christy Leeds, 4-H Youth Development and County Director, the junior fair will be moving to a new office this year and Clover Corner will be moved to a new location.
This year will also see a return of typical events including all the contests, like the pie eating contest, pizza eating contest, brain freeze contest, hot dog eating contest, animal costume contest, cutest baby contest, watermelon eating contest and frozen t-shirt contest spread throughout the week.
Special days that allow free admission for certain visitors will also happen again this year.
“D.A.R.E. Day is on Wednesday,” Henault said. “It allows kids to come in free when they prove they’re a current D.A.R.E. graduate with the year’s current t-shirt. They get a ride band and some free food.”
Also on Wednesday is Senior Citizen’s Day, with free admission for those 60 and older until 3 p.m.
“It’s a pretty big day with bingo and breakfast,” Henault said.
Courtesy carts will have a heavy presence on Wednesday, but they will still be around for the entire fair for those who need them.
“We do have courtesy carts at both gates running all the time,” Henault said. “We try to get them started around 10 to 12.”
On Saturday, July 28, veterans and one guest will also get in free with a valid ID. Dinner will also be offered for the veterans from 3-5 p.m.
“You can go to the Union County Fair Facebook or website, we have some giveaways there,” Henault said.
The website is www.ohiounioncountyfair.com. More information — including the complete schedule — can be found on the website. The fair office is also open this week and visitors can stop by for booklets.
Union County Fair will open Sunday, July 22, and end Saturday, July 28, with lots of new and old events spread throughout the week.
“I think people will be excited about what we’ve got going on,” Henault said.