Round-up: Miss Vinton County crowned; Fourth of July parades

A round-up of all things Vinton and Jackson counties...

Vinton County’s Fourth of July parades in McArthur and Wilkesville offered the community a chance to come together and celebrate the nation’s founding.

Politicians like Vinton County Common Pleas Judge James Payne handed out candy as he walked down the street greeting folks.

Sheriff Ryan Cain celebrated a birthday July 5 — happy birthday! Cain was in a float with a lot of politicos in the parade such as Judge Bob Grillo.

Megan Sowers was the Grand Marshall as were the VCHS TVC winning teams.

Pageant queens rode in truck beds or on floats — can’t have a parade without royalty.

Speaking of pageants, Leila Haislop was crowned with a tiara as 2024 Miss Vinton County on Saturday night, July 6 at the pageant held at the high school. First Attendant is Reegan Johnson and the Second Attendant is Kascylin Cartee.

As to the Little Miss’ pageant, Alaina Murphy was crowned as Little Miss, with Millie Johnson as First Attendant and Addison Prater as Second Attendant.

In other news, Vikings’ top long distance runner Samuel Boyd was in Colorado Springs at Colorado College running, worshipping, and hanging out with other like-minded runners from across the country at the Jim Ryun running camp. Jim Ryun was a world record holder, a three-time Olympian, an Olympic silver medalist, and was the first high school runner to break 4:00 in the mile.

Reminder — mark your calendars for the Vinton County Jr. Fair which is between July 22 and July 27 at the fairgrounds.

Speaking of the fair, the Jackson County Jr. Fair starts today (July 12) and runs til the July 20 at the fairgrounds in Wellston.

Friday, July 12

($6 Admission)

9 a.m. — 1 p.m. — Third Annual “A Day In The Ring,” sponsored by Medallions 4-H Club and Forward Thinks 4-H Club

6:30 p.m. — Harness Racing Night, sponsored by Carman’s Used Cars

11 p.m. — 12 a.m. (Friday night) — Livestock Unloading

Saturday, July 13

($6 Admission, sponsored by Carman’s Used Cars)

12-6 a.m. (Saturday morning) — Livestock Unloading

8-10 a.m. — Rabbit/Poultry Check-in (weigh-in at 10:30 a.m.)

3 p.m. — Market Steer/Hog Carcass Class Hanging Show (Circle M. Farms)

6 p.m. — OHHA Harness Racing Pari-mutuel Wagering

11 p.m. — 12 a.m. (Saturday night) — Livestock Unloading

Sunday, July 14

(Free Admission, sponsored by WesBanco)

12-11 a.m. (Sunday morning) — Livestock Unloading

11:30 a.m. — Barn Meeting for All Species; Weigh-in of Large Livestock immediately follows

12 p.m. — Queens Tea Reception (4-H Building)

4:30 p.m. — Crowning of Jr. Fair Queen and Court (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

5 p.m. — 4-H Awards Ceremony (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

6 p.m. — Junior Fair Fun Night (Bellisio Foods Grandstand)

8:30 p.m. — Greased Pig Contest (Bellisio Foods Grandstand)

Monday, July 15

($12 Admission, sponsored by Holzer Health System)

Note: All Veterans are allowed free admittance with military or VA identification. All children ages 12 years and under as well as senior citizens get free admission.

8 a.m. — Market/Breeding Poultry Showmanship (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

10 a.m. — 2 p.m. — Senior Citizen Activities such as King/Queen Contest, Lunch, and Bingo (4-H Building)

11 a.m. — 10 p.m. — Mobile Axe-Throwing (Midway)

12 p.m. — Market Poultry Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

1 p.m. — Fancy Poultry/Breeding Poultry Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

1-10 p.m. — Rides Open (Midway)

1-5 p.m. — Rock This Life (Bellisio Foods Grandstand)

4-5 p.m. — Rides Break (Midway)

5 p.m. — Opening Fair Ceremony (Infield of Bellisio Foods Grandstand)

6:30 p.m. — Jr. Fair Horse Show, Showmanship and Horsemanship (Horse Arena)

6:30-7 p.m. — Karaoke Sign-ups (Austin Powder Midway Stage)

7:30 p.m. — Katrina’s DJ and Karaoke Contest (Austin Powder Midway Stage)

Tuesday, July 16

($12 Admission, sponsored by Speyside)

Bear Wood Hollow with Chainsaw Woodcarving (throughout day on Midway)

9 a.m. — Junior Fair Sheep Showmanship (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

10:30 a.m. — Junior Fair Market Lamb Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

11 a.m. — 10 p.m. — Mobile Axe-Throwing (Midway)

1 p.m. — Junior Fair Dairy Goat Showmanship (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

1-10 p.m. — Rides Open (Midway)

2 p.m. — Alpaca Show (Horse Arena)

3 p.m. — Junior Fair Market Goat Showmanship (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

4 p.m. — Open and Junior Fair Market Goat Breeding Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

4-5 p.m. — Rides Break (Midway)

6 p.m. — Junior Fair Market Goat Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

6 p.m. — Truck & Tractor Pulls (Bellisio Foods Grandstand)

6:30-7 p.m. — Lip Sync Contest Sign-ups (Austin Powder Midway Stage)

7:30 p.m. — Lip Sync Contest (Austin Powder Midway Stage)

Wednesday, July 17

($12 Admission, sponsored by General Mills)

Bear Wood Hollow with Chainsaw Woodcarving (throughout day on Midway)

10 a.m. — Junior Fair Beef Breeding Showmanship followed by Dairy Beef Feeders, Beef Feeders, Dairy & Market Steers (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

11 a.m. — 10 p.m. — Mobile Axe-Throwing (Midway)

1 p.m. — 4-H Communications Contest (4-H Building)

1-10 p.m. — Rides Open (Midway)

2 p.m. — Junior Fair Beef Breeding Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

2:45 p.m. — Junior Fair Dairy Beef Feeder Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

4-5 p.m. — Rides Break (Midway)

4:30 p.m. — Junior Fair Beef Feeder Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

6 p.m. — Junior Fair Dairy Steer Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

6:30 p.m. — Junior Fair Horse Contest (Horse Arena)

7 p.m. — Junior Fair Market Steer Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

7 p.m. — Auto Cross (Bellisio Foods Grandstand)

7:30 p.m. — Jimmy Mowery from The Voice (Austin Powder Midway Stage)

8:30 p.m. — Junior Fair Board Fun Night & Dance (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

Thursday, July 18

($12 Admission, sponsored by Newsome Equipment Rental Sponsor)

Bear Wood Hollow with Chainsaw Woodcarving (throughout day on Midway)

8 a.m. — Junior Fair Rabbit Showmanship (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

11 a.m. — Junior Fair Market Rabbit Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

11 a.m. — 10 p.m. — Mobile Axe-Throwing (Midway)

1 p.m. — Junior Fair Breeding Rabbit Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

1-10 p.m. — Rides Open (Midway)

3 p.m. — 4-H Cloverbud Activities (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

4-5 p.m. — Rides Break (Midway)

5:30 p.m. — Junior Fair Swine Showmanship (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

6:30 p.m. — Junior Fair Horse Fun Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

7 p.m. — Diamond J. Rodeo (Bellisio Foods Grandstand)

7 p.m. — Red Brush Band (Austin Powder Midway Stage)

7:30 p.m. — Junior Fair Swine Show (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

Friday, July 19

($12 Admission, sponsored by Ricer Equipment)

8 a.m. — 12 p.m. — All non-sale animals must be removed, unless they are going to resale

9 a.m. — Jr. Fair Showman of Showmen Contest (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

11 a.m. — 10 p.m. — Mobile Axe-Throwing (Midway)

1-10 p.m. — Rides Open (Midway)

3 p.m. — Junior Fair Livestock Sale (Joe Morgan Memorial Livestock Arena)

4-5 p.m. — Rides Break (Midway)

7 p.m. — Fast Traxx MotoCross (Bellisio Foods Grandstand)

Saturday, July 20

($12 Admission, sponsored by Bellisio Foods)

4 a.m. — Gate 4 Open for Junior Fair Tack Removal

7 a.m. — Livestock Sale Load-Out Complete (no livestock will be available for viewing by the general public)

10 a.m. — Gate 4 Locked/No Admittance

10 a.m. — All livestock pens must be cleaned out and checked off by the Junior Fair Board

11 a.m. — 10 p.m. — Mobile Axe-Throwing (Midway)

12 p.m. — Mullet Contest Registration (Austin Power Midway Stage)

1 p.m. — Baby Contest Registration (Austin Powder Midway Stage)

1 p.m. — Mullet Contest Begins (Austin Powder Midway Stage)

1-10 p.m. — Rides Open (Midway)

2 p.m. — Baby Contest Begins with “Disney Theme” (Austin Powder Midway Stage)

4-5 p.m. — Rides Break (Midway)

6 p.m. — Brent Jenkins Memorial Demolition Derby (Bellisio Foods Grandstand)

Sunday, July 21

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — 4-H and Commercial Exhibits released; all booths must be completely dismantled and removed

Note: All times and events are subject to change.