Parade opens Barlow Fair
By Connie Cartmell, ccartmell@mariettatimes.comArticle Photos
Fact Box
Barlow Fair schedule
Saturday:
8 a.m. - Gates open; Feeder Calf judging (cattle tent).
9 a.m. - WVA Miniature Horse Association Show; Junior Fair Dog Show; Rabbit Showmanship.
10 a.m. - Draft Horse Pull.
11 a.m. - Little Miss and Mr. Barlow Contest.
Noon - Garden Tractor Pull.
1 p.m. - Sheep and Goats judging.
1 to 2 p.m. - Class Act (clogging).
3 to 4 p.m. - Big Al & the Hillbillies.
5:30 p.m. - Feeder Calf Sale.
7 to 9 p.m. - Ohio Valley Opry.
7 p.m. - Draft Horse Show and Mule Show.
9 p.m. - Mini-Modified Tractor Pull.
Sunday:
8 a.m. - Gates open.
9 a.m. - Open Horse Show.
10 a.m. - Church service.
Noon - Tractor Pull (13,000, 11,000 and 9,500 classes).
1 p.m. - Kiddie Tractor Pull.
2:30 p.m. - 4-H Demonstration Contest.
3 p.m. - Dulcimer Music.
4 p.m. - Feeder Calfs; all exhibits may be removed.
Every year since 1960, Bob and Carol Gorham have greeted family, friends, and neighbors on their wide and welcoming Barlow front porch, all eagerly awaiting arrival of the fair parade.
"I used to like the parade a lot more when I was younger," said Fleming resident Connie Reese, a friend of the couple. "Now I just want to sit down."
It's a homecoming and family reunion rolled into one.
Whole families parked their lawn chairs and blankets on the Gorhams' front lawn Friday as they shuttled in and out of the house for homemade vegetable soup and a slice of one of the seven pies Carol Gorham, 73, baked for the event.
The sun was just beginning to set west of Barlow and rainclouds that threatened earlier in the day were nowhere to be seen.
"We love it," Carol Gorham said. "I get nervous every time before and wonder if I can do it one more year. Bob always looks forward to it."
Their two daughters, Sandra Gorham of Barlow and Debbie Cunningham of Marietta, bring their friends and family along with nieces, nephews, and old school friends.
"I've been sitting on Gorhams' porch watching the Barlow parade for 43 years," said Theresa Groves Dick, 49, of Brighton, Mich. "I come down every year for the fair."
Dick and her family once lived across the street.
"Theresa and I have been best friends since kindergarten," said Sandra Gorham.
Everybody knows everybody in Barlow, and the annual parade brings the community together.
"I remember when I was a kid and seeing all the men, legendary now in Barlow, at the parade and fair," said Stacy Gorham, 49, of Athens, a nephew. "I think about all the old-timers who have passed on. Now the next generation is here."
He and his daughter, Baylee, 11, never miss the Barlow Fair.
The new generation was well represented in the parade as about 200 parade units rounded the corner from Warrior Drive west onto Ohio 550, headed for the Barlow Fairgrounds Friday.
"It's the biggest parade in Washington County," Galen Cox, of Barlow, said. "It will go on about two hours. You'll see everything from politicians to Scouts, horses, civic organizations and bands."
Dozens of children along the curb scrambled for candy thrown from floats, fancy convertible cars, farm wagons and even a hot pink lawn tractor.
"I like to see all my friends at the parade before the fair starts," said Sheldon McCoy, 13, of Barlow. "My mom's in the parade on her horse.'
McCoy also shows quarter horses at Barlow Fair and said he's earned quite a few ribbons along the way.
Virginia and Jerry Dyar, of Churchtown, always attended the Barlow Fair parade when their four adult children were in Warren schools. The couple was back Friday for still another parade.
"I'm not a fair-goer, but I do enjoy the parade," Virginia Dyar said. "The whole atmosphere is great. You see people you don't often see."
As she waved to passing parade participants, Dyar said it was nice to get away, for a time, from concerns about the national economy and the future.
"For a little while, this makes you feel better," she said.
