Fair weather fans? Temperatures, tradition, activities dictate people’s attendance
From left, Marietta resident Owen McNish, 6; his brother Levi, 4; and Fleming resident Alice Barrett, 5, compete to see who can build the tallest stack of cookies Sunday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
The sun was out for the Washington County Fair but the temperatures weren't sweltering as people walk between vendors Sunday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Students participate in a goat show competition Sunday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Oaklynn Kendall, 4, pets the shell of Leo the leopard tortoise under the guidance of Columbus Zoo animal specialist Jackie Espinal as Waterford resident Allen Angle looks on Sunday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
From left, Washington County Fair Board member Maddie Treadway, Waterford resident Shannon Schott and Fair Board member Lisa McNish compete in an impromptu watermelon-eating contest before the kids' showdown on Sunday at the fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Country musician Logan Reynolds performs Alan Jackson's "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" Sunday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
FFA and 4-H flower, vegetable and fruit projects are displayed Sunday in the Junior Fair Building at the Washington County Fairgrounds. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
From left, Marietta resident Owen McNish, 6; his brother Levi, 4; and Fleming resident Alice Barrett, 5, compete to see who can build the tallest stack of cookies Sunday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
The sun was out for the Washington County Fair but the temperatures weren't sweltering as people walk between vendors Sunday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Students participate in a goat show competition Sunday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Oaklynn Kendall, 4, pets the shell of Leo the leopard tortoise under the guidance of Columbus Zoo animal specialist Jackie Espinal as Waterford resident Allen Angle looks on Sunday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
From left, Washington County Fair Board member Maddie Treadway, Waterford resident Shannon Schott and Fair Board member Lisa McNish compete in an impromptu watermelon-eating contest before the kids' showdown on Sunday at the fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Country musician Logan Reynolds performs Alan Jackson's "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" Sunday at the Washington County Fair. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
FFA and 4-H flower, vegetable and fruit projects are displayed Sunday in the Junior Fair Building at the Washington County Fairgrounds. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
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MARIETTA - Rain followed by heat appeared to keep some folks away from the opening day of the Washington County Fair on Saturday, but milder weather - not to mention some exciting activities - drew them to the fairgrounds on Sunday.
"Attendance has been up today compared to last year," fair board Treasurer Emily Griffin said Sunday.
Many people at the fairgrounds Sunday were looking forward to the Rough E Rodeo, making its first appearance at the fair.
That’s what brought Little Hocking residents Bob and Joellen Yoho back for the first time in a while.
"We used to come all the time and haven’t been here for several years since our kids are adults," Joellen Yoho said, adding that they were looking forward to checking out the animals local students were displaying as well.
Those were among the reasons Parkersburg resident Shawn Knotts and his family came to the fair Sunday. His young daughter Charlotte "has to come see the animals, and she loves to ride the rides they’ve got," Knotts said.
While many people were making annual or return visits to the fair, Janet Leppert was attending for the first time. Originally from Cuyahoga Falls by way of Virginia, she and her husband moved to the area in April, though they’d been to the Pioneer City many times for the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival.
"I love it," she said of the fair. "I think it’s great. The music is great, the food is really good."
Fleming resident Megan Barrett has been coming to the fair for nearly 30 years, for years showing animals herself. On Sunday, she was there as a mother.
"I grew up doing it," she said. "Both of my two big kids show chickens. And then we come for all of our 4-H friends, too."
FFA and 4-H members were showing rabbits, horses and goats on Sunday, with some youth competing in less traditional events.
Four-year-old Levi McNish of Marietta won a cookie-stacking competition, and his prize was more cookies.
Several kids were set to take part in a watermelon-eating contest as well. Waterford resident Shannon Schott’s son was among those getting ready to chow down, but she found herself facing off against fair board members Maddie Treadway and Lisa McNish, Levi’s mom, in an impromptu battle to see who could eat the most watermelon.
"It’s a lot of watermelon," said McNish. "I thought I’d be able to finish it, but that didn’t happen."
"We actually came to get cookies," said Treadway, who noted it was hard to breathe while eating the watermelon, no hands allowed. "Maybe I’ll take some with me."
Griffin said those contests were a hit, along with animal presentations by the Columbus Zoo, all part of Kids Day at the fair on Sunday. In addition to the rodeo, a special laser show was planned to mark the fair’s 175th anniversary. It was to be followed by a performance from Clint Carsey and the Track Layers.
"We never had a band after the grandstand events, so we’re hoping that keeps people around," Griffin said.
The remaining schedule for the Washington County Fair:
Monday – Military Day
* 8 – 10 a.m. 4-H Pancake Flippin' Breakfast show, Junior Fair building
* 9 a.m. Dairy Feeder Steer (DFS) Show, Show Arena; Tractor Tug Pull, Grandstand/Infield
* 10 a.m. Horse Fun show, Horse Arena
* 12 p.m. midday opens; Dairy show, 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. Make&Take Kids Crafts, Junior Fair building
* 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 Dog Sport showcase, by Junior Fair building
* 3 p.m. Cincinnati Circus, midway; A Night to Shine, Show Arena
* 3:30 p.m. Coin Hunt, TBD
* 4 – 6 p.m. Music, music tent
* 4 p.m. Poster and Skillathon winner Presentation Premier Exhibitor, Show area
* 4:30 Dog Sport showcase, by Junior Fair building; The Magical Adventure show, by Junior Fair building
* 4:45 p.m. Pie Auction, Show Arena
* 5 p.m. Hay Bale Throw Contest Skillet Throw Contest, Show Arena; Cincinnati Circus, midway
* 5:30 p.m. Dog Sport Showcase, by Junior Fair building
* 6 – 9 p.m. $1 Skate at the Roller Rink, Roller Rink
* 6 p.m. DinoROAR, by Junior Fair building
* 6:30 p.m. Overall Showmanship Contest, Start at Home Arena
* 7 p.m. The Magical Adventure show, by Junior Fair building; Demolition Derby, Grandstand
* 7 – 9 p.m. Music, music tent
Tuesday
* 1 p.m. Junior Fair Livestock sale; Show Arena
Sale order: turkey, lamb, goat, chicken, DFS, rabbit, steer, hog
* 4 p.m. Buyers Appreciation Reception
* 6 p.m. Fast Traxx, Grandstand
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.