SMITHFIELD - Repairs, beautification and mowing are going on in full force to ready the Friendship Park Fairgrounds for the 141st-annual Jefferson County Fair that will celebrate the occasion with opening ceremonies at the Rozsa Pavilion at 5 p.m. Monday.
Events Monday will start at 5 p.m. at the Rozsa Pavilion and will include a flag raising by the Jefferson County Veterans Association; the presenting of flags; the national anthem by Commissioner Thomas Graham; the welcome by Larry Mercer, fair board president; presentation and crowning of the junior fair royalty; and a talent show.
An antique and farm stock tractor pull registration will take place at 5 p.m. Monday at the grandstand and is set to begin at 6 p.m.
Article Photos
Esther McCoy
BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT — The Steubenville Spirits 4-H Club chose the flower bed in front of the Jefferson County Fairgrounds office for their beautification project. From left are Margaret Wiley, adviser; Michelle Wood, head adviser; and Alison Lynn, 11, a three-year member of the club. Wood said members planted flowers in May but due to the dry weather, had to replace a few. All nine members decorated a brick with their name to add to the flower bed, and the fair board loaned an antique plow for decoration.
"Everybody's a Winner" is the theme for the fair and it will be carried out in the opening ceremonies and throughout until Aug. 19, according to Debbie Hukill, treasurer.
The Monday event is free to the public. There will be some food concessions available but there will be no rides in operation.
The fair officially opens at 8 a.m. Tuesday and will continue through Aug. 19.
Fair organizers noted the 4-H awards and style show will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday. This is a new addition to free up time for the Monday talent show, according to Vickie Whinnery, junior fair coordinator.
The buildings, grounds and maintenance committee, with Larry Mercer as chairman, replaced the shingle roof on the gazebo and the building designated to house the various fire departments.
"All the buildings had shingle roofs and they kept blowing off. We have been trying to change all buildings from shingles to fascia, with the Rozsa Pavilion completed last year," Mercer said.
All camping spots are now sold, with the exception of primitive camping, where campers will have to bring a generator to provide electricity, according to Hukill. Contact the fair office at (740) 733-8230 for information.
The fair office will be open for season and membership passes from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday for open class entry and camping pick-ups. All open class entries needed to be registered by July 13.
Linda Daily, secretary, and Hukill outlined programs and events of interest each day of the fair:
Tuesday's events will feature a car show on North Field from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Wheel to Wheel Racing, a new event with two pick-up trucks or dune buggies racing side by side at the grandstand at 7 p.m.; and DeJavu Band at the pavilion at 8 p.m.
Wednesday's events will feature the annual cheerleading competition at 6 p.m. at the grandstand, with a 4 p.m. registration. The Twice as Nice Band will perform at 7 p.m. at the pavilion.
Events on Aug. 16 will include the Montag Rodeo at 7:30 p.m. and the new Silver Eagle Band to follow.
Events on Aug. 17 will include the home talent truck and modified tractor and truck pull at 7 p.m. at the grandstand.
Aug. 18 events include the grand parade on the main road at 10 a.m., a mud bog at noon at the track area and bike day at the grandstand at 3:30 p.m. Also, the junior fair livestock sale will start at noon and break at 5 p.m. for a complimentary dinner for all buyers.
Aug. 19 events will include a home talent derby and lawn mower derby at the grandstand, with registration at 4 p.m. A home talent demo derby will be held at 6 p.m.
