Calves are judged during the 2024 Washington County Fair. The fair opens Saturday and concludes Tuesday. (File Photo)

MARIETTA — It’s Labor Day weekend and time for the annual Washington County Fair in Marietta where the fairgrounds will be abuzz for four days from Saturday to Tuesday.

“The county fair only comes around once a year,” said Ron Offenberger, president of the fair board.

Among the highlights of the fair will be the parade on Saturday morning, food, entertainment, truck and tractor pulls, harness races, a demolition derby and a motocross show.

But the foundation of the family-oriented fair is the displays and exhibitions from participating youth, according to Offenberger. Chances are someone knows someone who will be exhibiting, he said.

“To support the kids is what we are all about,” Offenberger said.

Isabell Russell, left, and Charlotte Russell, right, enjoy one of the rides at a past Washington County Fair. The fair opens Saturday for a four-day run. (File Photo)

One of the changes this year is a new carnival company, not because there was a problem with the former provider, but EGO Amusements brings a fresh look and rides, he said.

“I think it’s important that we change things up there,” Offenberger said. “People like a little change.”

Preparations are underway for the Fast Traxx motocross show at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Grandstand, he said. Dirt is being moved around to create the motocross track, Offenberger said.

“I think it’s going to be really exciting,” he said.

Other changes include moving the home arts exhibits, such as eggs and flowers, to under the roller rink, Offenberger said. The change will create a space where people can eat in air conditioned comfort, he said.

“It’s supposed to be mild this weekend,” Offenberger said.

Midway entertainment includes, in addition to EGO Amusements: the Magical Adventure Show, an award winning and family friendly show; the Cincinnati Circus, new this year; the Dog Sport Showcase; the Columbus Zoo.

Skate Night for $1 to be held every evening from 6-9 p.m.

The 4-H Pancake Flippin’ Breakfast will be held from 8-10 a.m. Monday in the Junior Fair Building. Cost is by donation. The breakfast is a fundraiser organized by the Washington County 4-H Endowment Committee.

Military and Veteran Appreciation Day also will be held on Monday. With a valid military ID, veterans and servicemen will get free admission.

The Junior Fair Livestock Sale will be held from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday

The fair board will hold its annual election from 1-7 p.m. Monday in the Home Arts Building, at 922 Front St.

Exhibitors will get into place on Friday when there will be no admission for people to look around and see the exhibits and animals, Offenberger said.

Daily admission is $12 and a season pass is $30. A membership pass is $35. Children 4 and under are admitted free. Parking is free.

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The schedule is:

Friday

* 7 p.m.: 4-H dog show, Junior Fair Building

* 7:30 p.m.: hay bale toss and women’s skillet throw, Show Arena

Saturday:

* 8 a.m.: Tractor Pull: Farm Stock Classes, Grandstand

* 9 a.m.: Garden Tractor Pull, Grandstand

* 10 a.m.: Parade, downtown, Marietta; Poultry Show Rabbit/Poultry Bldg

* 11 a.m.: Opening Ceremony, Senior Fair Office; Holstein Show, Show Arena

* Noon: midway opens; Junior Fair Horse Show, Horse Arena

* Noon-2 p.m.: Music: Levi & Hannah Westfall, Civitan Park; Livestock Pictures

* Noon: Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 1 p.m.: Market Steer, Show Arena; Cincinnati Circus, Midway

* 1:30 p.m., Cake Eating, TBD

* 2-6 p.m.: Strolling Acts: Spiderman/Bluey, Midway

* 2 p.m.: The Magical Adventure Show, by Junior Fair Building

* 2:30 p.m.: Coin Hunt, TBD; Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 3 p.m.: Cincinnati Circus, Midway

* 3-5 p.m.: Music, Logan Reynolds, Civitan Park

* 4 p.m.: Beef Breeding Show, Show Arena; The Magical Adventure Show, by Junior Fair Building

* 4:30 p.m.: Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 5 p.m.: Cincinnati Circus, Midway

* 6-9 p.m.: Corn Hole, Open Play, Junior Fair Building; $1 Skate at the Roller Rink

* 6 p.m.: Pedal Pull, TBD; Tractor Pull: Hot Classes, Grandstand

* 6:30 p.m.: Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 7 p.m.: The Magical Adventure Show, by Junior Fair Building

* 8-10 p.m.: Music, Phase 2, Civitan Park

Sunday, Kids’ Day:

* 9 a.m.: Lamb Show Show, Arena; Rabbit Show, Rabbit/Poultry Building; Cowboy Church Service, Horse Arena

* 11 a.m.: Junior Fair Horse Show, Horse Arena

* Noon: Midway Opens

* Noon-2 p.m.: Music, Soph Stevens, Civitan Park; Archery Activity, Bullseye Shooting and Sports 4-H Club, behind Civitan Park

* 12:30 p.m.: Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 1 p.m.: Harness Racing, Grandstand; Cincinnati Circus, Midway

* 1-5 p.m.: Face Painting for Kids, TBD

* 1:30 p.m.: Cake Eating, TBD

* 2 p.m.: The Magical Adventure Show, by Junior Fair Building; Ladies Lead Animal Dress Up, Show Arena

* 2-6 p.m.: Strolling Acts, Cinderella/Belle, Midway

* 2:30 p.m.: Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 3 p.m.: Goat, Show Arena; Columbus Zoo ,TBD; Cincinnati Circus, Midway

* 3:30 p.m.: Coin Hunt, TBD

* 3-5 p.m.: Music Stage: Kid’s Activity, Civitan Park

* 4 p.m.: The Magical Adventure Show, by Junior Fair Building

* 5 p.m.: Cincinnati Circus, Midway

* 5:30 p.m.: Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 6-9 p.m.: $1 Skate at the Roller Rink

* 7 p.m.: The Magical Adventure Show, by Junior Fair Building; SEBRA Bulls and Barrels Rodeo, Grandstand

* 8-10 p.m.: Music, Clint Carsey & The Track Layers, Civitan Park

* 8-9 p.m.: Line Dance, Junior Fair Building

Monday, Military Day

* 8-10 a.m.: 4-H Pancake Flippin’ Breakfast Show, Junior Fair Building

* 9 a.m.: DFS Show, Show Arena; Tractor Tug Pull, Grandstand/Infield

* 10 a.m.-noon: Music, Rick Tincher and Jessica Shoonover, Civitan Park; Kids Make and Take Craft, Junior Fair Building

* 10 a.m.: Horse Fun Show Horse, Arena

* Noon: Midway Opens; Dairy, Show Arena

* 12:30 p.m.: Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 1 p.m.: Cincinnati Circus, Midway; Harness Racing, Grandstand

* 1-3 p.m.: Cloverbud Activities, Junior Fair Building; Music, Pickin’ on Country, Civitan Park

* 1-7 p.m.: Election, Senior Fair Home Arts

* 1:30 p.m.: Cake Eating, TBD

* 2 p.m.: The Magical Adventure Show, by Junior Fair Building

* 2:30 p.m.: Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 3 p.m.: A Night to Shine, Show Arena; Cincinnati Circus, Midway

* 3:30 p.m.: Coin Hunt, TBD

* 4 p.m.: The Magical Adventure Show, by Junior Fair Building; Poster and Skillathon Winner Presentation, Show Arena

* 4-6 p.m.: Music, Roger Richards and The Travelers, Civitan Park

* 4:30 p.m.: Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair Building

* 4:45 p.m.: Pie Auction, Show Arena

* 5 p.m.: Greased Pig Contest, Show Arena; Cincinnati Circus, Midway

* 6:30 p.m.: Overall Showmanship Contest, Horse Arena

* 6-9 p.m.: $1 Skate at the Roller Rink

* 7 p.m.: The Magical Adventure Show, by Junior Fair Building; Demolition Derby, Grandstand

* 7-9 p.m.: Music, Red Sky Down, Civitan Park

* 9-11 p.m.: Square Dance, Buckeye Travelers, Junior Fair Building

Tuesday:

* 1 p.m.: Junior Fair Livestock Sale, sale order lamb, goat, chicken, DFS, rabbit, steer, turkey, Show Arena

* 4 p.m.: Buyers Appreciation Reception, Show Arena

* 6 p.m.: Fast Traxx, Grandstand