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Despite the parade being canceled Monday due to the rain and storms, the 2023 Ritchie County Fair and Expo will be starting Thursday without a hitch.
Before the fair and expo officially starts on Thursday afternoon, vendors will set up and exhibits will be checked in and judged Tuesday through Wednesday. This includes egg and poultry 4-H and FFA livestock exhibits to be judged. Several livestock shows will be happening before the fair and expo's afternoon opening on Thursday, such as the swine, rabbit, sheep, and goat shows.
The fair and expo will officially open 4 p.m. Thursday with the raising of the flag and the national anthem. Some of the entertainment will include Josh Oldaker, a West Virginia native who has sung in 47 out of 50 states, Clinton Carsey and the Track Layers and Midnight Outlaws, a country and southern rock band.
Thursday through Saturday of the fair and expo the Ritchie County Public Library will be on hand for an hour of story time. They will be giving away free kids activity bags to the first 50 kids each day who greet the librarians.
The cost of the fair and expo per day per person, with the exception of free admission Sunday, is $13 and includes everything the fair and expo has to offer such as the carnival rides, entertainment, and other activities; food is excluded. Children age 1 and under receive free admission with rides not included. There are advance ticket purchases available for admission of all three days of the fair and expo for $30. Locations for purchase at Pizza House, Huntington Bank, Long Reach Federal Credit Union, Union Bank in Pennsboro and Pizza Box.
For more information and updates about the Ritchie County Fair and Expo go to www.ritchiecountyfair.org, the Ritchie County Fair and Expo Facebook page, or call the Ritchie County Extension Office at 304-643-5200.
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THURSDAY
9 a.m.: Swine Showmanship and Market Show
Noon, Back Gate Open
1 p.m.: Rabbit Showmanship and Market Show
3 p.m.: Sheep and Goat Showmanship and Market Show
4 p.m.: Fair Gates and Exhibits Open/Fair Officially Opens: Flag Raising, National Anthem
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Story Time (Pavilion by Stage)
5-10 p.m.: Carnival Rides
Daily: Magician (Fairgrounds)
5:30 p.m.: Pretty Baby Contest Registration (Picnic Shelter near Stage)
6 p.m.: Pretty Baby Contest (Main Stage)
6-7 p.m.: Mario and Luigi Character Meet and Greet
7 p.m.: Gospel Music and Sing
7:30 p.m.: Children's Pedal Tractor Pull (Near Main Stage)
8-9 p.m.: Music by Josh Oldaker
10 p.m.: Fair Closes
FRIDAY
9 a.m.: Poultry Showmanship and Market Show
12 p.m.: Back Gates Open
1 p.m.: Beef Showmanship and Market Show
4 p.m.: Fair Gates and Exhibits Open
4-5 p.m.: Story Time (Pavilion by Stage)
Daily: Magician (Fairgrounds)
5-11 p.m.: Carnival Rides
5-6:30 p.m.: Emergency Services Meet and Greet
5-7 p.m.: Country Club Band with Russell Ahner
6 p.m.: Hay Bale Toss (Near Main Stage)
6-7 p.m.: Bingo and Bluey Character Meet and Greet
7 p.m.: Championship Bull Riding
9-11 p.m.: Clinton Carsey and The Track Layers (Main Stage)
11 p.m.: Fair Closes
SATURDAY
8 a.m.: Fair Gates and Exhibits Open
9:30 a.m.: Overall Youth Showmanship
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Car Show
Daily: Magician (Fairgrounds)
1 p.m.: Youth Livestock Awards
1-2 p.m.: Bluey and Bingo Character Meet and Greet
1-5 p.m.: Carnival Rides
4 p.m.: Field Day Activities (Near Main Stage)
4:30-5:30 p.m.: Story Time (Pavilion by Stage)
6 p.m.: Roping Contest (Bull Riding Arena)
6-7 p.m.: Character Meet and Greet
6-11 p.m.: Carnival Rides
7 p.m.: Championship Bull Riding
7-7:30 p.m.: Mario and Luigi Character Meet and Greet
8 p.m.: Still Exhibits Released
9-11 p.m.: Midnight Outlaws (Main Stage)
11 p.m.: Fair Closes
SUNDAY
12 p.m.: Gates Open for Horse Show and Events (Hoover Field)
1 p.m.: Horse Pile Bingo
1:30 p.m.: Horse Show
2:30 p.m.: Horse Judging