Local county fairs are back and offering more to do than ever before
Spending a day at the annual county fair is a favorite summer pastime of many. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, many county fairs were forced to cancel or go semi-virtual last year. As things begin to return to normal, so do some of our favorite events. We checked in with our local county fairs to find out what they’re planning to do after a forced year off.
Butler County Fair
In 2020, the Butler County Fair was limited to its Junior Fair. Only those participating and their immediate family were able to attend.
“We have an event once a year and it’s to make enough money to support us for an entire year. Without having that it’s been rough financially to keep the lights on, water on and the doors open,” says Doug Turner, fair president.
Turner says they are going back to the fair as usual July 25-31 this year, offering the typical rides, games, food and livestock exhibitions. Nighttime events include three nights of tractor/truck pull, two nights of demolition derby and the Broken Horn Rodeo.
Clermont County Fair
The Clermont County Fair was also limited to a junior fair in 2020. What Eric Wehrum, fair president, didn’t expect was how expensive it was going to be to put on that event. He says they received a $50,000 grant from the state, but it barely made a dent in the total costs.
Finances aside, what the down year showed Wehrum was how tight of a community they have in the agricultural world. “A lot of the community and families of the 4H members stepped up and gave us a hand,” says Wehrum.
In hopes of making up for last year, they are going full force with 2021’s fair July 25-31. It will feature a new ride company and have more events than it had in the past, including two tractor/truck pulls, two demolition derbies, a rodeo, KOI Drag Racing and four musical performances, one being Tracy Lawrence.
Hamilton County Fair
While most county fairs canceled early last year, the Hamilton County Fair held out as long as it could. Two weeks before the scheduled date, the state said all fairs must be canceled.
The fair is returning Aug. 12-15 with some rules in place for the safety of everyone. New features this year include new Cincy Speedway events and the All-American Petting Zoo.
The fair will have two derbies, Boss Motorcycle racing, go-kart racing and more.
“We hope to draw people in with things that the community has asked for. We also know that the major draw for people is your typical fair things—we all love our funnel cakes and fried food! This is the year they are back,” says Kristy Cook, president of the fair.
Warren County Fair
Like many of the other fairs, the Warren County Fair also had a junior fair format, though theirs was open to the public. It had so much success with it in 2020 that it’s continuing it this year in a modified format July 19-24, with expansions to bring back other events and exhibits.
However, there will be no games or rides. “Sitting in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower at Kings Island, we think people are headed out there for their amusement park rides and games. That’s not so much a draw here at Warren County,” says Rebecca Osborne, fair secretary and facility manager. The fair will have two racing events—KOI Drag racing and ATV/trucks.
“We encourage folks to come on out, enjoy the shows, get some fair food and enjoy being here at the Warren County Fairgrounds,” says Osborne.
Other returning fairs include the Kenton County Fair and Horse Show (July 12-17), the Boone County Fair (Aug. 2-7) and the Miami County Fair (Aug. 13-19).
