When Oran Adams came to the first Waterford Community Fair in 1959, it was as a spectator.

That didn't last long.

"I just showed up down there and ended up selling tickets," Adams said.

He's been a board member ever since, seeing the fair expand from a corner lot in Waterford with a handful of animals and attractions to its current location at the Community Fairgrounds.

"The first year there was just a cow or two here and a food stand there, and that was it," Adams said.

Today, the fair draws people from around the area and folks who used to live here.

"It's turned into almost a huge homecoming," Adams said.

Several additions have been made to this year's fair in order to mark the 50th anniversary.

For starters, children 13 and under can enjoy carnival rides for free on Thursday, the first night of the fair. The fair board is also selling baskets and books commemorating the fair's half-century of history.

Board members decided they wanted to do something a little different for Friday's parade, too.

"Rather than getting an individual (to be parade marshal), we thought we'd do something that's more widespread," Adams said.

This year's marshals will be community members representing the four branches of the armed services.

The Marine Corps representatives are Waterford residents Kenny and Debbie Miller. The couple met in the Corps and both served in Operation Desert Storm.

"I feel honored," Kenny Miller said.

But it didn't take getting invited to be a parade marshal to draw the Miller family to the fair. They usually go every day of the event, Kenny Miller said.

"It's a big part of our summer," he said.

As the Millers are being honored for their service, their 19-year-old daughter, Ashley Marie Miller, a 2008 Waterford High School graduate, is beginning her own journey in the Corps.

"We're both nervous and proud at the same time," Kenny Miller said. "It was nothing we ever pushed on any of our kids."

The other marshals will be Waterford resident Ed Ginther, who served in the 8th Army Air Corps in England during World War II; Beverly resident Whitey Meyers, who served in the Army during the Korean War; and Waterford resident Tom Leach, who served in the Navy Seabees during the Vietnam War.

In a nod to the first fair, Adams will serve as an honorary marshal, along with William Meredith, Doris Wainwright and Dr. D.S. Lowe. Also being recognized as an honorary marshal for its role in starting the fair is the Waterford Grange.

Cash awards for floats in the parade have been increased to $100, $75, $50 and $25. Sunday will feature a seven-part "Redneck Rodeo" for husbands and wives.

• For more information: www.waterfordfair.com .