The Courier Electronic Edition

Fairs a showplace for agriculture


It's county fair season in northwestern Ohio. The Allen County Fair just ended, and Henry County's the week before that. The Hancock County Fair begins tomorrow and runs through Monday. The Hardin County Fair starts next Tuesday and runs through Sept. 13, and Wyandot County's starts Sept. 15 and runs through Sept. 20.

Each county fair prides itself on all the agricultural exhibits, consisting of livestock and crops.

Since agriculture is the largest industry in the area, it is only appropriate that there should be a showplace where farmers and agriculturalists, young and old, can meet to show their wares, exchange ideas, visit and make plans.

A major feature of any fair is the involvement of all the young people representing 4-H, FFA, and other youth groups. Over the years, the county fair has greatly expanded from traditional agriculture to involve exhibits of some 200-plus other projects.

The Hancock County Fair is one of the oldest in northwestern Ohio.

Hancock County's first fair was held Oct. 15, 1852 on rented grounds north of the Blanchard River at the west end of Fair Street. Today, all that remains of that event is the name of the street. The fairgrounds were moved in 1859, 1869, 1891 and 1920.

In 1938, the fairgrounds moved to its site on East Sandusky Street. It has been nicknamed the "Old Millstream Fairgrounds" after the popular song "Down by the Old Millstream" by Tell Taylor.

My predecessor, Forest G. Hall, who was county agent from 1935 to 1956, was instrumental in helping the fairgrounds move to its present site. A small mini-park next to the fair office bears Mr. Hall's name. This park was dedicated Aug. 31, 1977.

This year marks the 30th fair that I've participated in since I started with Ohio State University Extension in 1980.

But I've been involved much longer. I remember showing my first market lamb project in 1964, and continued showing livestock until 1976.

Obviously, the experience of owning, preparing and exhibiting a 4-H project was extremely rewarding, which drove me to spend the rest of my career helping and encouraging others to get involved, and also to have an opportunity to have this same experience.

So try to make it to the fair. There is certainly something for everyone.

Some of the youth have spent an entire year working on their projects and many more have worked tirelessly over the last three months. You may have seen some youth walking their lambs or calves up and down township roads.

A large Junior Fair Livestock Sale will take place on Monday. Supporting the livestock sale is a great way to support the youth for all their hard work, plus being able to promote your business.

Look for me in the livestock exhibit areas, or in the Farm Bureau Ag Tent that is between the sheep and dairy barns. Please drop by to say hello. Hope to see you there!

What many farmers are doing this week: Attending the county fair with their families.

Wilson is "area leader, Maumee Valley, extension educator, agriculture and natural resources," for The Ohio State University Extension service in Findlay. He can be reached at 419-422-3851 or via e-mail at wilson.26@cfaes.osu.edu.