Trending
WATERFORD - The annual Waterford Community Fair will be going on as planned…for the most part.
As heavy rains hit the area Tuesday and with a continuing chance of rain over the next few days, a flood watch remains in effect until 8 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.
Officials with the Waterford Community Fair are going forward with the event at 19219 Ohio 339, Waterford, Ohio with some changes. The fair board has been meeting to determine what will happen and what won't.
"We are planning on doing everything we possibly can," said Missy Antill, member of the fair board. "The only thing that will be cancelled, as of now, is the Tractor Tug Pull (which was originally scheduled at 6 p.m. this evening)."
Officials canceled that event because of the weather conditions and the ground saturation where the ground would not be able to adequately accommodate the tractors, trailers and more.
"The ground is not able to hold those heavy pieces of equipment," she said.
Otherwise, Antill said things are shaping up really well for the fair to get underway this evening. There will be contests, games, exhibits, food, rides, live music and more throughout the fair.
"We have had several exhibitors already bring in their pigs for the early weigh-in," she said adding the main weigh in was Wednesday evening. "We are looking forward to that. All of the kids will be in the barn (Wednesday evening)."
The fair has 230 pigs entered for this year's fair. There are some that don't always make their weight, but there is usually a handful.
The Market Hog Show is Friday at 8 a.m. and was one of the reasons organizers wanted to continue with the fair as many area youth in 4-H and Future Farmers of America had put a lot of work in on raising the hogs and getting them ready to show as well as for sale. The Hog Sale is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday with a Buyer's Reception at 9 a.m.
The fair is always a chance to highlight the community and what the people there are involved in as well as supporting a lot of local organizations.
"We really like to focus on our community and our kids," Antill said. "So by attending the fair you are supporting both."
All the food booths are being run by local nonprofit organizations.
"When you are buy food from one of our food booths you are supporting those organizations," Antill said. "It is anything from pee-wee football to our athletic boosters to the Boy Scouts...every time you purchase something that is supporting and helping out those people and organizations."
The fair also provides opportunities for the kids doing their market hog projects in learning to show and sell their livestock projects.
"It is a big huge deal for them too," Antill said.
Organizers are keeping an eye on the weather and would make any changes if needed. They are keeping the public apprised on the Waterford Community Fair Facebook page.
"If we would get a really hard rainstorm that could change the track conditions, any changes we would be announcing immediately on Facebook," Antill said. "Just tune in and check there for any announcements this weekend."
Admission is $5 for anyone 13 and over. 12 and under can get in for free. A season pass for the entire fair from now through Sunday is $12.
The National Weather Service is saying there will be a 30% chance of rain throughout the day today increasing to a 60% chance this evening. The weather service is saying showers will be likely Friday with thunderstorms expected after 11 a.m. with a 70% chance of precipitation moving to a 50% chance by evening. On Saturday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain.
"We are being optimistic," Antill said. "We do have some challenges with our parking as we don't own that property we park on. We need to be considerate of our neighbors.
"We are use to rain at the Waterford Fair, but when we get a lot of it we have to be vigilant in some of the decisions we make. As of (Wednesday) we are going to move forward with all the activities we have planned."
Schedule
Thursday
9 am - 11 am...Hog Pictures
10 am - 12 pm …Recieving Contest Entries
4 pm …Gates Open – Presentation Of Colors (By Boy Scout Troop 222)
6 рm …Baby Contest
6 pm…Rides Open – Free For All Ages
7 pm…All Livestock Must Be In Place
Friday
8 am …Presentation Of Colors (By Boy Scout Troop 222)
8 am…Market Hog Show
9 am – 12pm…Cut Flowers In Place
1 pm….Judging Of Contest Entries
4 pm...Rides Open
5:30 pm…Fair Parade Forms
6 pm….Parade Starts
6:30-8:30 pm…Pick’n On Country(Under The Tent) and Rodeo Sign-Ups
8:30 pm…Kids Motorcycle & ATV Rodeo Classes
Saturday
8 am…Presentation Of Colors (By Boy Scout Troop 222)
9 am…Children’s Games
10 am...Hog Sale
11:30 am…Scales Open
12 pm - 4 pm…Senior Citizen Day
4 pm…Rides Open
4 pm…Tractor Speed Pull and Community Bingo
7 pm - 9 pm …Stallion
Sunday
8 am….Presentation Of Colors
10-11am….Church Service (Under The Tent)
12 pm…Storytime (Under The Tent)
1 pm…Pedal Tractor Pull – Hog Barn
4 pm…Truck And Tractor Pull
4 pm…Rides Open