The Wayne County Fair returns Saturday, beginning six days of entertainment, rides and festivities. The opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at the Event Center flagpole .
General admission is $4. For the first time in the fair's history credit and debit cards will be accepted at the gate.
"For 174 years we have had cash only gates," said Matt Martin, fair manager. "By offering this service we are meeting the fairgoers needs and desires to use more cards."
Regular ride tickets are $1 per ticket or 12 for $10. Wristbands are available as well with prices shifting depending on the time and day. Costs are $25 Saturday and Sunday and $20 Monday-Thursday.
Days dedicated to youth, veterans, senior citizens
Monday is the traditional Wayne County Schools Day and Tuesday veterans are admitted free by showing a military ID.
The Quilts of Honor salute to area veterans will be held at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, which also is Senior Day, when people ages 65 and older can visit the fair free, and Stroller Day (ages 6 and under) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. when wristbands are $15.
The rides, provided by Bates Brothers, are a mix of new offerings as well as bringing back those that are popular in the community.
The total number of Junior Fair exhibitors, combining 4-H and FFA, comes to 14,040, according to Marica Bruek of the Junior Fair Board office.
There will be 2,854 Junior Fair animal entries. Compared to last year the number is up 150. Out of the animal entries 1,389 will sold at the livestock auction on the final two days of the fair.
Animal showmanship entries total 1,710, with 308 outstanding exhibitor entries. There will be 531 still and FCS exhibits in the Junion Fair Building. Out of the entries, 171 are Cloverbuds and 214 shop, crop and educational exhibits in the FFA Building.
Tractor pull, rodeo, demo derby
"It takes a lot of time and people to make everything work and run," Bruek said. "Overall we're all excited for it. Once things get going its always more exciting."
Shows this year include the OSTPA tractor pull 7 p.m. Saturday, Buckeye Rodeo at 7 p.m. Wednesday and demolition derby at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Grandstand entertainment includes The Oak Ridge Boys at 8 p.m. Sunday, Christian artist Matthew West at 8 p.m. Monday and Jeff Foxworthy at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
"One of the last opportunities to see The Oak Ride Boys as they get older and things change," Martin said.
Martin said the fair is all about bringing the community together and supporting the next generation.
Fair a 'reflection of the strenth of our community'
"The community supports the kids and sets a record almost every time for them," he said. "It's a good reflection of the strength of our community. What makes us so special is the community and the people. We talk about the rides, the foods and the events. But really what makes us special is the people. The fact that you can walk right through and pick up right where you left off is amazing to me."
Updates to the fairgrounds include a freshly painted show ring, along with new lighting and fans for ventilation, Martin said, noting the area also has been updated to better accommodate wheelchairs and scooters.
Another upgrade includes a temporary cell tower that will allow for easy connection through Verizon.
"Verizon has installed a temporary cell tower with hopes that cell service will not be interrupted due to the increased traffic on the local towers," Martin said. "Our main goal is that phone calls will not be interrupted."
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Wayne County Fair: Where else can you find 14K Jr. Fair exhibitors, 2,800 animal entries?
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