OLD WASHINGTON − The 177th Guernsey County Fair opens Monday, and, while the schedule is packed with activities, numerous fairground upgrades will also be evident.
"We have a new barn that we'll be able to utilize this year," said Guernsey Fair Board President Josh Stiers, referring to one of the fair's biggest upgrades. "It's a big building. It really stands out when you come onto the grounds," he added.
According to Stiers, the old building used to house rabbits and ponies, but now the new barn, measuring 120 by 60 feet, will become a multi-species building. This year, it will serve as a rabbit barn.
The Home of Champions was another building that recently received a facelift. "We basically redid the entire inside of the Home of Champions," Stiers explained. That project included new concrete flooring, reconstructed bleachers, and an easier-to-clean site. Stiers noted they made "a lot of upgrades that we hope people will notice."
He added that the fair board also "rebuilt the indoor equine arena," with one noticeable change being additional stalling for the horses. One last upgrade Stiers mentioned was the agricultural hall, which now has new LED lights to help "brighten that building up."
Stiers stated roughly $300,000 in grant money and community donations have gone toward the recent upgrades and will also be spent on a soon-to-start project around the outdoor track. He explained that in "mid-October, working through the winter," the track updates will include the lighting system, wiring, and poles.
"We're all excited," Stiers said. "It's hard to believe it's already fair time. Everything's coming together well."
How much is daily admission to the Guernsey County Fair?
Daily admission costs $15, while 2024 season passes are $45. Daily tickets include parking, rides, and grandstand entry, while passes include grandstand privileges and parking but not rides. For an extra $5, a season pass can be upgraded to a membership pass that grants voting rights.
Children ages 4 and under get in for free. On Monday, admission is either $10 or a donation of five nonperishable food items to the Stock the Trailer Food Drive, as the rides will not be open yet.
What's happening Monday at the Guernsey County Fair?
Opening day and will start with beef weigh-ins and goat shows at 8 and 9 a.m., respectively, and beef shows at 2 p.m. However, the junior fair parade and royalty presentation will take the spotlight at 7 p.m. at the grandstands.
Members of the queen court are Emma Blair, Shady Valley Shamrocks 4-H Club and John Glenn and Mid-East FAA; Madyson Christmas, All American Misfits 4-H Club; and Avarie Wellman, All American Misfits 4-H Club.
King court members are Mac Haug, All American Misfits; Ethan Heady, Meadowbrook FFA and Cumberland Valley Kids 4-H Club; and David Thornton, Wild Things 4-H Club.
Jadien Parry, member of Cloverleaf 4-H Club and Buckeye Trail FFA, is the girl ambassador. The boy ambassador is Evan Miller, member of Londonderry Lads and Lassies 4-H Club, and boy ambassador runner up is Marcus Casey, member of Wild Things 4-H Club and Meadowbrook FFA.
Veterans admitted free Tuesday at the Guernsey County Fair
Veterans receive free admission. The morning will be filled with several animal shows starting at 9 a.m. A military homecoming celebration will be held at 2 p.m., with beef and steer shows at 2:30 and 6 p.m., respectively.
The day will wrap up with the Rough Truck event at 7 p.m., one of the fair's more well-attended events. "The Rough Truck draws a large crowd," Stiers noted, especially on a Tuesday night. It's a "fan favorite," along with the tractor pulls and demolition derby.
Harness racing and more planned Wednesday
Those age 60 and up receive free admission. One of the main events will be harness racing at 12:30 p.m. on the track. There will be several animal shows starting at 9 a.m., followed by a beef show at 3:30 p.m., a pony and horse pull at 5 p.m., and a swine fun show at 6 p.m. The Ashley Best Band will also start playing at 5 p.m. at the grandstands.
Kiddie tractor pull is Thursday
The main-ticket event might be the kiddie tractor pull at 6 p.m. in the Home of Champions. Comedy hypnotist Mike Bishop will perform at 4, 6, and 8 p.m. on the hill, and Diamond J Rodeo with Dave Showtime Meyer will perform at the grandstands at 7 p.m.
Friday is Junior Fair Sale Day
This is the Junior Fair Sale Day, with swine at 9 a.m., dairy products at 9:30 a.m., small animals at 9:50 a.m., and beef following the small animals. Supreme horse and swine shows will be at 6 and 7 p.m. at the horse arena and swine barn. The heavy-hitting truck and tractor pull will headline schedule, with a 7 p.m. start time.
Saturday events include antique tractor and garden tractor pull
An antique tractor and garden tractor pull and a pull-in show for draft horses and ponies will take place at at 10 a.m. followed by rooster crowing contest at 11 a.m. and a square dance from 8 to 11 p.m. A calf show will be at 2 p.m. There will also be a butterfly encounter from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Mike Bishop will have three more shows at 4, 6, and 8 p.m.
Fair wraps up with demolition derby on Sunday
The pièce de résistance will be the "old skool" demolition derby at 1 p.m., concluding another rendition of the Guernsey County Fair.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: The Guernsey County Fair is here with a big schedule, lots of upgrades and sheer fun
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