Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities is partnering with the Holmes County Agricultural Society and Harvest Ridge to bring the vision to life of creating a community where everyone belongs.
Starting this year, the Holmes County Fair is expanding accessibility for attendees with disabilities.
Since the construction of new fairground facilities, accessibility has been prominently featured. Anyone who has pushed a stroller or wheelchair at the fairgrounds has noticed how much easier it is to enter/exit buildings because there are no steps.
Another accessibility feature is the restrooms, which meet requirements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
More: Candidates Meet the candidates for Holmes County Fair royalty; 101st annual event begins Monday
Improving the fair experience for more people
"In 2024, additional features are planned to improve the fair experience for even more people," said Marianne Mader, superintendent of the Holmes County Board of DD. "Using grant dollars, Holmes DD has provided a universal changing table to be housed in the family restroom of the Humrichouser Agricultural Building."
The superintendent pointed to another area where the fair is working with Holmes DD.
Mader said many people with sensory related issues would love to ride on amusement rides but find the lights and music to be overwhelming. Staff from Holmes DD asked the fair board to work with the company providing rides to offer a time when the lights and music will be off.
Kissel Amusements happily obliged.
On Thursday, noon-2 p.m., there will be no lights or music on the rides. Families with loved ones who struggle with sound/lights are encouraged to ride the rides Thursday afternoon.
"If you’ve been to the fair, you know there is a lot going on," Mader said. "Sometimes it can be just too much to bear and people with sensory issues need a place to get away."
To meet the need, Holmes DD is providing a Quiet Space for children and adults who simply need a quiet place to relax and calm themselves before rejoining the festivities.
The Quite Space is located in a gray tent near the CSB Stage on the Green. The tent will be open 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and will provide a soft comfortable place to rest. It will have safe sensory toys, and each visitor will receive a sensory item to take home.
Be You Livestock Show celebrates sixth year
The addition of the Be You Livestock Show, five years ago, brought the opportunity for Holmes County residents with special needs to exhibit animals on the final day of the fair.
"In its sixth year, the Be You Livestock Show is still determined to build confidence and independence in the show ring," said Kylie Ramirez, founder and organizer of the show. "Recently graduating from The Ohio State University made this year a more challenging one because I could not devote as much time as I wished I could. Despite that, we got the ball rolling in late May and are ready for the audience to come out and support our exhibitors during the show.
"Managing this program for the years has given me an understanding and appreciation for working with individuals who have developmental/ intellectual disabilities," Ramirez said. "I am thankful for the opportunity to help them be involved in agriculture and the livestock industry like I was blessed to be, but also to provide them the opportunity with education at little to no cost thanks to our sponsors and community support."
The Be You Livestock Show will take place a noon Saturday in the large arena.
Fair schedule Monday and Tuesday
Monday
- 8 a.m.: fair opens, projects in place, 4-H booth judging
- 9 a.m.: Poultry judging (chickens), dog project judging, 4-H horse show
- 4 p.m.: Rides open 4-10 p.m.
- 5 p.m.: Coronation of king and queen
- 6 p.m.: Swine showmanship
- 7 p.m.: Rodeo
Tuesday
- 8 a.m.: Fair opens
- 9 a.m.: Poultry judging (turkey and ducks)
- 9:30 a.m.: Meat goat showmanship, breeding and judging
- Noon: Rides open: Two for Tuesday
- 2 p.m.: Sheep showmanship and breeding, market lamb Judging (L)
- 4 p.m.: Truck and tractor pull
- 5 p.m.: West Holmes marching band
- 6 p.m.: Swine judging
- 6:30 p.m.: Shine Bright Dance Studio
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Fairgrounds facilities are more friendly for developmentally disabled friends and family
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