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Summer success

Final day of Barlow Fair sees good weather, attendance

DOUG LOYER Special to the TimesTractor pulls are always a big hit at the Barlow Fair.

Sunday concluded the 145th annual Barlow Fair. The wonderful weather brought out the fairgoers in large numbers for the four-day fair.

The Barlow Fair is the oldest independent fair in the state of Ohio. It is still held in the same place as it was 145 years ago.

According to Pat Amrine, secretary of the Barlow Fair Board, the weather was definitely on their side the past few days.

“It’s been a very good fair this year,” she said. “Obviously, we’ve had wonderful weather. We had record attendance crowds on Thursday and Friday night. We haven’t tabulated the overall attendance, but it’s been a very, very well-attended fair this year.”

Amrine added that there were more than 80 vendors and it was the best year they’ve seen for the rides as well.

“It’s been a fantastic weekend,” she said.

Amrine noted that the community support for the fair is ‘fantastic’.

“It’s a great time for local families. Family members that live away from here plan to come back this weekend because it’s a tradition to come to the Barlow Fair,” she said.

A presentation was held on Saturday night and the Ohio Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture presented the Barlow Fair Board with a $50,000 capital improvement check for the new cattle barn.

Mark Neiden and Diane Wise, both of Cleveland, came down to enjoy the Barlow Fair on Sunday. They wanted to take a day trip and get away and decided on the Barlow Fair.

“We sometimes like to make a day of it going to fairs like this and enjoy a scenic drive home. I went to school in 1980 at Meredith Manor (Equestrian Center in Waverly) and wanted to come back down in this direction,” said Wise. “We just decided to get the heck out of Cleveland for a while. You start to see the same old thing. It’s nice to get out and see something else about Ohio.”

Neiden added, “It’s a pretty drive. We also wanted to pick up some apples and cider in the area.

“I follow the tractor pulling a little back home. I really like these tractor pulls. It’s seems home bred with local tractor enthusiasts.”

Wise added, “We don’t get too many days off and this is the end of my vacation, so we’re having a little fun here today.” I like it down here.”

Felishia and Anthony Gaskins of Vincent enjoyed walking around the fair Sunday.

Anthony said, “I’m having a good time. This is my first time here at the fair.”

“We’re having fun,” commented Felishia. “I like the community effort having everyone at the same place having fun.”

“We always have a good time at the fair,” said Lori Webb, who was helping her grandson Diesel Harra, 2, feed the sheep. “My son-in-law pulls, as well as his dad, so we come to see the tractor pulls.”

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