The oldest independent agricultural fair in the state will be held this week, wrapping up a season of area fairs.
Organizers were busy Tuesday preparing for the fair, which typically welcomes thousands of folks Thursday through Sunday hoping to check out all the events, including tractor pulls, horse pulls, 4-H projects, entertainment, food and more.
"We had a community cleanup event (Sept. 11 and 12) and had a pretty good turnout for that," said Brad Payne, fair board president. "Now we're just getting all the buildings ready for the fair."
Article Photos
Kern and Wilson
A slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms is in the forecast for this weekend; however, spirits weren't dampened by last year's rainy weekend as officials reported attendance was better than expected.
"It helped that we had Thursday last year to make up for (the rainy) Saturday," Payne said.
The most popular event at the fair, according to Payne, is the feeder calf show which will be held Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. The animals will be brought in and weighed today from 5 to 9 p.m.
Fact Box
If you go
What: 139th Barlow Independent Fair and parade.
When: Parade is 6 p.m. Friday; fair held Sept. 23 through 26.
Where: Barlow Fairgrounds, Ohio 339 and 550 in western Washington County.
Anyone interested in participating in the parade should contact 678-2957, 516-6926 or gribblecoachggg@aol.com
| Thursday | ||
| 9 a.m. to noon | Entries for T-building | |
| Lad & Lassie fruits | ||
| Noon | 4-H booth judging | |
| 4 p.m. | Gates open | |
| Judging: Flowers and still exhibits | ||
| 5 p.m. | Tractor pull — speed pull per WCATEC rules (3,500 to 9,500 lbs) | |
| 6 p.m. | Rides open, free for 13 and under | |
| Beef and dairy show (cattle tent) | ||
| 7 p.m. | Gaited horse show (horse arena) | |
| Friday | ||
| 8 a.m. | Gates open | |
| 9 a.m. | Poultry and rabbit judging | |
| 6 p.m. | Parade | |
| Tractor pull (5,500 lbs, 7,500 lbs) | ||
| 7 p.m. | Jumping horses | |
| 8 p.m. | Draft and mule show | |
| 8 p.m. | Sheep and goat show (sheep barn) | |
| 8 to 10 p.m. | Lacey & The Attitude Band (gazebo) | |
| Saturday | ||
| 8 a.m. | Gates open | |
| Feeder calf show | ||
| 9 a.m. | Mini horse show | |
| 10 a.m. | Draft horse pull | |
| Noon | Garden tractor pull | |
| Little Miss and Mister Barlow pageant (gazebo) | ||
| 1 p.m. | Youth horse show | |
| 5:30 p.m. | Feeder calf sale | |
| 6 p.m. | Draft horse and mule show | |
| 6:30 p.m. | Open hunter-jumper show | |
| 7 to 9 p.m. | Old S’Kool (main stage) | |
| 8:30 p.m. | Mini modified tractor pull | |
| Sunday | ||
| 8 a.m. | Gates open | |
| 9 a.m. | Open horse show | |
| 10 a.m. | Church services (gazebo) | |
| Noon | Tractor pull (13,000 lbs, 11, 000 lbs, 9,500 lbs) | |
| Gospel music | ||
| 1 p.m. | Kiddie tractor pull | |
| 2:30 p.m. | 4-H contest | |
| 3 p.m. | Out of Time dulcimer band | |
| 4 p.m. | All exhibits released |
This year's fair will feature "different entertainment, different amusement rides and different food vendors," Payne said. The rides will open at 6 p.m. Thursday and will be free that evening for kids 13 and under.
"It is truly like a reunion of people from Barlow and the surrounding communities," Payne said. "It is a big, family-oriented event."
The annual parade will be held at 6 p.m. Friday. Gary Wilson and Ed Kern were chosen to serve as this year's parade marshals. Both men are members of the Scenic Hills Lions Club and active in their churches, and have been involved with the Warren Local Schools over the years.
"It's very well-deserved," said fellow Lions Club member Bob Oliver, who has organized the parade for decades. Even though he is "retired" this year, he agreed to step in and help.
"We're going to have probably better than 125 units this year, including bands and floats, horses and antique cars," he said. "And of course, politicians."
