All smiles at Barlow Fair
Festival sees record turnout
Photo by Jolene CraigTwins Alexander and Andre Winter, 2, of Cutler, look at the rabbits on show on Saturday during the 140th annual Barlow Fair.
September 25, 2011
Parkersburg News and Sentinel
BARLOW - Some days the Barlow Fair has wet weather and other days it's stifling hot, but on Saturday, the weather was perfect for the event, an official said.
On Thursday, the fair opened to a record crowd and the fair board hoped the high attendance would be a trend for the entire weekend.
"Friday didn't start out too good with the rain and it kept some people away, but the weather (Saturday) was perfect for people to come to the fair and our attendance was great," said fair board president Darren Morris. "A lot of people came out for our entertainment and it's just been a good year."
Saturday's main events included the annual feeder calf sale and Nashville, Tenn., recording artist Jordan Carter.
One of this year's attendees was Lara Staples, the 2011 Ohio State Fair Queen, who visited all of the barns and several events on Saturday.
"When I was named Ohio State Fair Queen, I decided that I would make it my mission to attend one day of every fair in the state," said Staples, 18, of Hammersville near Cincinnati. "There are 93 fairs in Ohio and the Barlow Fair is my 90th."
For many people, spending nearly 100 days at fairgrounds in a year would be tiring, but for Staples it has been a lot of fun.
"Each one is so different and it's cool to see the diversity in each fair," she said. "The Barlow Fair is a little bit smaller than most, but it's pretty big for a private fair in Ohio."
This weekend's event is the 140th year for the fair, which makes it one of the oldest and longest running fairs in the state.
"You can definitely see the history here," Staples said.
Morris said little has changed with the Barlow Fair in decades, if not longer.
"It's always about the same with similar things going on," he said. "All except for the weather."
While this year has seen mild temperatures that Morris said were "perfect," past years have seen colder and warmer weather.
"There have been years where it's 50 degrees and we're drinking hot chocolate and trying to stay warm in the barns and other years where it's 90 degrees and all you want is ice in your drink," he said with a laugh. "We never know what we're going to have until the fair starts."
As families gather at the fair for the food, rides, games and to see the animals, the fair will wind down and close this afternoon.
The fairgrounds are located next to the intersection of Ohio 550 and Ohio 339 in Barlow. Today's schedule of activities includes:8 a.m.: Gates open10 a.m.: Open Hunter Jumping Show; church services (gazebo)Noon: Tractor Pull (13,000-, 11,000- and 9,500-pound classes)1 p.m.: Kiddie Tractor Pull2 p.m.: Gospel music2:30 p.m.; 4-H contest4 p.m.: All exhibits released
On Thursday, the fair opened to a record crowd and the fair board hoped the high attendance would be a trend for the entire weekend.
"Friday didn't start out too good with the rain and it kept some people away, but the weather (Saturday) was perfect for people to come to the fair and our attendance was great," said fair board president Darren Morris. "A lot of people came out for our entertainment and it's just been a good year."
Saturday's main events included the annual feeder calf sale and Nashville, Tenn., recording artist Jordan Carter.
One of this year's attendees was Lara Staples, the 2011 Ohio State Fair Queen, who visited all of the barns and several events on Saturday.
"When I was named Ohio State Fair Queen, I decided that I would make it my mission to attend one day of every fair in the state," said Staples, 18, of Hammersville near Cincinnati. "There are 93 fairs in Ohio and the Barlow Fair is my 90th."
For many people, spending nearly 100 days at fairgrounds in a year would be tiring, but for Staples it has been a lot of fun.
"Each one is so different and it's cool to see the diversity in each fair," she said. "The Barlow Fair is a little bit smaller than most, but it's pretty big for a private fair in Ohio."
This weekend's event is the 140th year for the fair, which makes it one of the oldest and longest running fairs in the state.
"You can definitely see the history here," Staples said.
Morris said little has changed with the Barlow Fair in decades, if not longer.
"It's always about the same with similar things going on," he said. "All except for the weather."
While this year has seen mild temperatures that Morris said were "perfect," past years have seen colder and warmer weather.
"There have been years where it's 50 degrees and we're drinking hot chocolate and trying to stay warm in the barns and other years where it's 90 degrees and all you want is ice in your drink," he said with a laugh. "We never know what we're going to have until the fair starts."
As families gather at the fair for the food, rides, games and to see the animals, the fair will wind down and close this afternoon.
The fairgrounds are located next to the intersection of Ohio 550 and Ohio 339 in Barlow. Today's schedule of activities includes:8 a.m.: Gates open10 a.m.: Open Hunter Jumping Show; church services (gazebo)Noon: Tractor Pull (13,000-, 11,000- and 9,500-pound classes)1 p.m.: Kiddie Tractor Pull2 p.m.: Gospel music2:30 p.m.; 4-H contest4 p.m.: All exhibits released
No comments:
Post a Comment