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Pleasants County Agricultural Fair scaled back

Some events canceled due to weather

PARKERSBURG — Another event this weekend has been affected by weather and high water on the Ohio River.

Parts of the Pleasants County Agricultural Fair will go on while other parts will not, Traci Brammer, program assistant for the Pleasants County Agricultural Youth Fair, said on Thursday.

“The fair, as it was scheduled, will not be happening this weekend,” she said. “What is happening is a much more scaled-down version.”

The entertainment is canceled; however, smaller events can be placed back on the schedule should the weather and river conditions allow, Brammer said.

The annual fair is held at the St. Marys Marina and St. Marys High School farm property. The marina was impacted by high water from the Ohio River, she said.

“Everything dealing with the marina is cut out right now,” Brammer said. “The dock campground near the marina had 60 campers in it at the start of the week. It’s empty now.”

The selection of the 2018 fair queen will proceed with the contest at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the St. Marys High School Auditorium, Brammer said.

“The 4-H and Future Farmers of America poultry show is going to take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at the St. Marys High School Vocational Agricultural shop with the grand champion, reserve champion and showmanship competitions,” she said. “The chickens are scheduled to go to the processors Monday. When the auction begins, people will be bidding on three whole frozen chickens.”

The livestock show and sale for the hogs, calves, and lamb will be held 9 a.m. Sept. 29 with the sale at 5 p.m., Brammer said.

“It is scheduled to happen at the school barn then. Right now, the school barn has water from the Ohio River in it. Then we have to wait to see what Florence does,” Brammer said. “If it doesn’t happen at the barn, then we will have it at an alternative location. Until then we will play a waiting game.”

Brammer said the weight limits for hogs are 300 pounds, 675 pounds for calves and 140 pounds for lambs. Because the event is scheduled two weeks later, the cap has been removed on the weight limits for the sale for the animals, she said.

“The animals can still be considered for grand and reserve champions. But if the animals are over the weight limit, they can only be sold for the cap weights,” Brammer said. “If the hog weighs 310 pounds when auctioned, the price charged can only be for the 300 pounds.”

The 4-H project exhibit, which was to be in the marina building, will be held at the Washington Street United Methodist Church, she said. The setup is 1-6 p.m. Oct. 12 with judging in the evening.

The event is open to the public from 3-7 p.m. Oct. 13, which coincides with the time of a spaghetti dinner.

“Right now, we are doing the best we can under the circumstances we are facing,” she said. “If the weather is good for the 29th, we can add a few more of the smaller events,” Brammer said. “For example, the wood chop is still set at the barn and the cornhole tournament is still on for the barn.”

Other local events have been affected, too.

Among postponements is the inaugural Harley Shootout at Henderson Wilds on West Virginia 14 south of Williamstown. Originally scheduled for Saturday, the competition has been rescheduled for Oct. 13, organizer Greg Smith of Henderson Wilds said. Times will remain the same, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Smith said.

Smith said high water on the range and anticipated weather conditions on Saturday prompted the schedule change.

While some football games in the southern and southeastern parts of West Virginia were shifted to Thursday in anticipation of the storm, athletic events in the Mid-Ohio Valley remained on regular schedules.

Calhoun County High School athletic director Jeremy Johnson said weather conditions were monitored all week, and the decision was made Thursday to keep this evening’s game with Tyler Consolidated and a five-team volleyball tournament Saturday in place.

“I think we can (get) in and out before it hits,” Johnson said.

Unaffected were the Downtown Throwdown Saturday in downtown Parkersburg, Dogfest 2018 and Big Truck Day in Vienna and the Harvest Moon Festival at Parkersburg City Park.

Dogfest will be held 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Jackson Dog Parks at Jackson Park near the community building. The festivities include contests for the cutest, ugliest and smallest dogs, prizes, vendors and an Adopt-A-Thon.

The city of Vienna also hosts Big Truck Day at the Grand Central Mall. The event, which is free, will be held from 9 a.m.-noon.

“The kids love it,” Mayor Randy Rapp said.

Paddlefest and Riverfest in Parkersburg were among the first cancellations because of conditions on the Ohio River at Point Park.

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