Washington County unique with three fairs: What lies ahead?
By Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.comArticle Photos
Fact Box
Multiple fairs
Ohio counties with more than one annual fair:
Ashland.
Athens.
Richland.
Seneca.
Union.
Washington.
Source: Ohio Fair Managers Association.
About local fairs
Washington
County Fair facts
The earliest fairs were held downtown Marietta in open space beside the Washington County Courthouse.
On Jan. 22, 1857, land was purchased for a permanent fairgrounds from William R. Putnam. A second parcel was purchased from George T. Elston in June 1867.
From 1861 to 1865, no fairs were held because of the Civil War. Fairs have been held annually since.
Tobacco crops were once exhibited at the county fair, along with rag carpeting woven on looms, handmade razor straps and hickory baskets.
For many years, Labor Day was the first day of the three-day fair.
Attendance at the 2008 fair was about 18,000, although 10 to 12 years ago, the fair drew 32,000 to 34,000.
Source: Washington County Public Library local history/genealogy department; fair board President Steve Tornes.
2009 Barlow Fair
Held annually in late September at the Barlow Fairgrounds; this year Sept. 24 to 27.
The fair began in 1872.
Popular events include the feeder calf sale, tractor pulls and fair parade.
Average attendance: 7,000 to 8,000.
Waterford
Community Fair
Held annually in mid-August.
Began in 1959 in Waterford.
Moved to present location at Waterford Community Fairgrounds along Ohio 339 south in 1961.
Main events include carnival rides, exhibits, annual hog show and sale and tractor/truck pull.
Approximate attendance in 2009: 12,000.
It's about as taboo as talking about consolidating schools.
But for the past few years, a tight circle of county fair board members from across the state has been pondering the "what ifs" associated with merging fairs as a way to combat rising costs and stagnant attendance.
So far, the notion remains just talk and no fair in Ohio has folded or merged in more than 30 years, according to Theresa Call, an administrator with the Ohio Fair Managers Association.
"We've had seminars on this topic the past two years," Call said. "I think this is something that could be coming down the road for a lot of fairs. It is a really good possibility, not only for independent fairs and county fairs, but with county fairs (merging with) other county fairs."
Washington County, which boasts three agricultural fairs each year, is one of just six counties in the state with more than one fair, according to the fair managers association Web site.
The 50th annual Waterford Community Fair wrapped up last weekend; the Washington County Fair is set for Labor Day weekend; and the Barlow Fair will be held Sept. 24 to 27.
There's no official talk about combining the local fairs, and those associated with the events say they have no interest in doing so.
"There's no doubt merging would help us out, but it would kill your independent and community fairs," said Steve Tornes, president of Washington County Fair Board. "Any time this is ever mentioned, you might as well be saying bad words. No one wants the thought of it."
Washington County Fair joined the other local fairs this year in not hiring a major musical act. It was just another way the groups have fought to help cut costs in recent years.
"(With a merge), we might be able to go out and find bigger and better talent for our fair, but even with a top-notch band, we can't make our money back even if every seat in the grandstand is filled," Tornes said. "We don't have the capacity."
The backbone of nearly every county and local fair are the hundreds of 4-H projects on display, especially those involving market animals. The three local fairs each feature different animals.
Continued state funding cuts are threatening to close 4-H programs in several counties. Although Washington County's program has been reduced, it is surviving, local officials say. In some counties, levies have been required to keep the programs going.
Without the projects, it could lead some counties to merge fairs.
"That's a real concern and a more likely scenario," Tornes said. "There has been talk about counties joining - even tri-county fairs. But that's all just talk right now."
Tornes said he hasn't been approached by any of the surrounding counties concerning such a move.
That, too, could be a boost to the county fair, which has seen attendance dip from an average of 33,000 about 10 to 15 years ago to roughly 17,000 last year.
Marietta resident Jesse Nutter, 29, said she always loved attending the fair as a child. These days, she says, she "can take it or leave it."
"Unless they have something really big going on, I'm probably not going to go," she said. "It's just gotten so expensive."
Tornes and other local fair officials admit they have struggled with balancing entertainment and admission pricing.
Carolyn Allen, treasurer for the past 30 years at the Waterford Community Fair, said that just a few years ago the fair was on the verge of going under.
"Up until the last five or six years, things were really tight," she said. "We were practically living year to year. Since then we've been able to come out a little ahead."
Allen said a positive attitude among fair board members at Waterford kept the fair alive.
"There's always been good enthusiasm," she said.
In lieu of a top entertainer this year, the Waterford fair offered free rides for children on opening night. The fair posted record attendance, with more than 12,000 people passing though the gates over the weekend.
Allen said the three Washington County fairs are each unique and able to survive on their own.
"I don't think we compete or hurt one another," she said. "Ours is more of a family reunion and geared as such."
Bradley Payne, a board member at the Barlow Fair, said his community fair is also something of a homecoming.
"Our fair is by no means one of these big booming fairs with 100,000 in attendance," he said. "So I think we're less exposed to the cyclical economic downturn we're seeing. We're a small community- and somewhat county-based fair that doesn't really change a whole lot from year to year."
This year, the fair has added one more day to the schedule.
"We've had a lot of requests to extend the fair," Payne said. "It seems each year there is another group that wants to be a part of the fair, or that there's another event the community has requested."
Payne said he would be against merging the local fairs.
"It would destroy the character of our fairs," he said. "One fair would have to be highly commercialized, just because of the size. And I'm not sure anyone has the adequate facilities to take care of something that big."
Eric Barrett, with Ohio State University Extension, agreed with Payne. He said Washington County's 4-H program consistently produces around 600 animal projects - among the most in the state. He said it would be impractical to try to get all of those animals at one facility.
"It would make things a lot simpler for us," Barrett said. "But with three fairs, it gives us an opportunity to meet with everyone, recruit for our programs and have time to educate."
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Beetlejuice
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08-24-09 6:55 AM
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Who set Freddie off???
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asknot
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08-24-09 4:58 AM
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Who have you had these talks with? Not me. I think someone misseda dose of their med's!
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asknot
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08-24-09 4:55 AM
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Past the point of know return=freddie
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asknot
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08-24-09 4:05 AM
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Einstein, I was making fun of your posts! And rest assured, pretty much every on here knows you don't know squat!So ride high on your narcissism.
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asknot
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08-24-09 3:16 AM
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never took engineering! took a long nap this afternoon on my way back from bristol. and don't need to work till tomorrow night. i'm good. Ask your buddy in your head to tell you another made up story!
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asknot
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08-24-09 2:42 AM
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weird, he's only 36! Try again
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asknot
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08-24-09 2:31 AM
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I don;t know who you think i am, but I guarantee you don't know him longer than me. I met him when he moved here! Nice try whacko!
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asknot
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08-24-09 2:29 AM
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wow, you are either nuts, mean, or childish. Good night "old timing/engineer/teacher/Dr./mentor/pastor/vet/mechanic/ etc.
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asknot
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08-24-09 2:19 AM
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what in the world are you talking about? My son is none of your business, and he is here. I've worked at the same job for 6 years, with 1 other one in between, and not looked for another in awhile. And pretty sure you know nothing about what your claiming! I'll ask my boss, who's been my friend for over 20 years, why he's spilling his guts to a person who makes up names, personality's, life history etc. And I'll pop another water!
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:57 AM
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First, huh? Second, what? Third, I have a job!
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:50 AM
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I know where that's from, just shocked you picked out the least misspelled word, teach! Don't toke! Don't pop whatever pills you do. Don't drink that much. Every now and then I do, but few and far between.
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:45 AM
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freddy, come on man! That post was a mock of your previous posts, exaggerated a bit. drop the toking thing. I don't smoke weed, i get randomly drug tested for work too often, and I have a son. How much I lost is none of your business. And I don't know your name!
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:39 AM
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of all the words, you picked "reed"? sound it out big boy.
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:32 AM
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Is that a threat? Or are you imagining fake conversations again?
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:31 AM
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I was down around 60%, now about 35%!
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:28 AM
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You win $5 Freddy!YEaHH id sux when peeple tipe alls mest up sos its heard to reed issnt it?
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:21 AM
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OK Freddy, you got me. I mistyped a word. Want to count your mistypes and add them to your misspellings? $5 says i whiinn! there i floated ya a freeeebbbeee! 2
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:05 AM
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Are you saying people with an appalachian education are dumb? And you thought you were hated before now!
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asknot
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08-24-09 1:02 AM
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Freddie, it's your english! A copy and paste post from you. Also, who's Shakesphere? Come on brother, if you're going to throw insuklts about education, put a little time in! LOL! Thanks again for ruining what used to be good debates!
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Finallap
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08-23-09 9:31 PM
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70 here
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wildflower
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08-23-09 8:39 PM
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btw finallap 66 here and you
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wildflower
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08-23-09 8:37 PM
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Freddy (lol) I said never btw as finallap asked did you graduate from Marietta high and what year. you are way to young for me lol.
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Finallap
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08-23-09 7:10 PM
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Cornpone: Did you graduate from Marietta High,and if so what year
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Beetlejuice
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08-23-09 6:02 PM
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quote: "....he seems to have a lot fearful" What the ???????????????????
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Beetlejuice
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08-23-09 5:02 PM
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Maybe freddie is really Lily-O-Valley. Has anyone noticed that you never see an Obama sticker on cars anymore? Everyone happy with Change?
lol
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