Jessica Mendenhall holds her rooster, Hagrid, while checking out the other chickens at the Barlow Fair on Friday. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

BARLOW — The 154th Barlow Fair, Ohio’s oldest independent fair, is underway this week with an expanded schedule, youth livestock shows and new family-friendly programming.

Fair organizers added an extra day this year, opening Wednesday instead of the traditional Thursday. The change allowed livestock shows to be spread out, giving exhibitors and organizers more flexibility.

“We opened a day earlier this year, and a lot of people didn’t know that,” said Jeremy Barth, vice president of the Barlow Fair Board. “We went from a Thursday through Sunday to a Wednesday through Sunday fair. We were able to spread some of our livestock shows out, give us a little more room, wiggle room to get things done.”

Rain early in the week forced some schedule changes, including the cancellation of two days of tractor pulls. Barth said organizers are planning three days of pulls to finish out the fair.

“We’re rearranging our schedule to fit that in, trying to make sure that we can still get everything that we have planned for the family,” he said.

From left, Lisa and Garrett Wharton pet the sheep at the 154th Barlow Fair, Friday afternoon. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

A new Family Fun Day is set for Sunday, featuring a Little Miss and Mr. Pageant, character visits from Big Bird and Bluey, free face painting, balloon animals and scavenger hunts.

“We just thought we’d take Sunday and kind of make it family-friendly oriented,” Barth said.

Agriculture remains the heart of the fair. Bruce Zimmer, extension educator with Ohio State University Extension in Washington County, said the junior fair is expecting 64 exhibitors for feeder calves, 28 for market dairy goats and 46 for market ducks. Saturday’s livestock sale is expected to draw large crowds.

“The Barlow Fair is known as a small community fair, but it also has a lot of support from across the county,” Zimmer said. “It’s a hometown fair, but also it still has very deep agricultural roots in the activities and the shows that are happening.”

The fair draws participation from 28 4-H clubs across the county, along with local FFA chapters. “Most clubs are represented in one way or another at the Barlow Fair,” Zimmer said, noting projects range from livestock to booth exhibits and special interests.

Warren Township Volunteer Fire Department drove an engine in the Barlow Fair Parade in memory of Douglas Thompson, a volunteer who passed earlier this year. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

Barth said organizers hope visitors come away with a sense of both fun and purpose.

“What we hope people get out of the fair is what the fair is truly about, and that’s about agriculture,” he said. “The Barlow Fair is all about family, and we’re a huge family here. They still get that sense of community.”

Fair officials estimate a typical year draws about 2,500 visitors. While rain made attendance harder to predict early on, Barth said the fair is working to provide a full slate of shows, rides and entertainment through Sunday.

Those interested in volunteering with the fair can contact the Fair Board through its Facebook page or speak with a director. Barth said the group works year-round to plan the event and fundraisers to maintain the fairgrounds.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.

Teen Miss Belpre 2025 Alice Haynes tosses candy to Barlow Fair Parade attendees Friday evening. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

From left, Luca Yoho, Chloe Antill and Knox Oliver race to grab candy during the Barlow Fair Parade on Friday evening. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

From left, Lilianna Wolfe, Emma Stollar, Tyla Williams, Lenora Arnold and Evie Wolf greet Barlow Fair Parade attendees. (Photo by Gwen Sour)