Organizers are hoping the remnants of Hurricane Isaac will steer clear of the Mid-Ohio Valley until at least after the annual Washington County Fair Parade Saturday.
"It's the time of year when the weather is unpredictable but we are praying and keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will hold off," said Brandan Wheeler, first-time director in charge of the parade.
Last year's Washington County Fair, which typically kicks off the extended Labor Day weekend, was devastated by a couple days of heavy rains that had an impact on attendance.
"Last year was really bad for us and we're hoping that it doesn't happen again," said Wheeler, who is also a fair board member.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the first rain bands from Isaac are expected to reach the area Sunday afternoon.
The parade will kick off Saturday morning at 10 a.m. from the area of Ohio Street behind Don Drumm Stadium. More than 100 units, including marching bands, fire departments, politicians, businesses and nonprofit organizations are expected. The parade typically lasts from two to three hours, according to Wheeler. Each unit must pay a $10 registration fee to participate and this money goes back into the fair board's general fund.
Fact Box
If you go
What: 2012 Washington County Fair Parade.
When: Saturday, kick off at 10 a.m. Streets that will be closed starting very early Saturday morning include: Pike Street at Hart, N. Seventh, N. Sixth, Fourth and Third streets; Charles Street at Sixth and Muskingum Drive at Second Street.
Where: Participants should line up in the vicinity of Ohio Street at Third and Fourth streets, behind Don Drumm stadium. The parade will wind down Ohio to Second Street, Second to Greene, Greene to Front and will end at the main gate of the Washington County fairgrounds.
Cost: To walk in the parade, $10. Must fill out registration available at washcountyfair.org.
Parade marshals: John and Emily Smith of Little Hocking.
Schedule
Daily Events
Pony Ride - Everyday
$5 per ride
Coin Hunt
Saturday, Sunday and Monday
5 p.m. - Civitan Park
Ages 12 and under
Sponsored by M&T Whiteley Farms
Hillbilly Barnyard Games
Saturday, Sunday and Monday
2 p.m. in Civitan Park
Don't miss this tire flipping, hay bale tossing, wagon-pulling fun.
Froggy99 on Monday at 3 p.m.
Big D Karaoke in Old Sheep Barn, all four days, times - TBA
Pampered Pets Petting Farm
Located between the Old Sheep Barn and the Junior Fair Building
Sponsored in part by Kings Quarries, Ron's Porta Johns, Warren's IGA, Cowboy Dan Concessions, Twin River Construction Co. & Lazy H Farms
Washington County
Little Prince & Princess Contest
Saturday at 1 p.m. - Location TBA
NEW SHOWS
Chases Racing Pigs
Saturday - 1, 4 and 7 p.m.
Sunday - Noon, 3 and 6 p.m.
Monday - Noon, 3 and 6 p.m.
Tuesday - 11 a.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Location: End of Jr. Fair Building
Bobby Maverick, Magician
Sunday and Monday
Times & Location: TBA
First Bite Fishing
Location: around the Midway
Everyday all day
Educational learning experience catching live fish
Music Entertainment
Sunday only
Texaco Country Showdown
W.Va. Regional Winners
Noon - Ben Petty
2 p.m. - Chelsea Ferguson
4 p.m. - Scott Pettit
$8 General Admission
(Includes rides and grandstand entertainment)
$25 (4 day pass)
(does not include rides)
$5 Senior Citizen
(does not include rides)
Armed Forces Day - Saturday
$1 Parking
RICOCHET
Monday at 8 p.m.
(Bring your lawn chair, Concert to be held in Civitan Park)
TEXACO COUNTRY SHOWDOWN
Ohio State Finals
Monday at 6:30 p.m.
www.washcountyfair.org
SATURDAY
8 a.m. FAIR GATES OPEN
10 a.m. Fair Parade
11 a.m. Farm Stock Tractor Pull
12 noon MIDWAY OPENS
12:30 pm Jr. Fair Rabbit Showmanship
12:30 pm Jr. Fair Rabbit & Poultry demonstration Contest
1 p.m. Little Prince & Princess Contest
1 p.m. Chases Racing Pigs
1 p.m. Flower Show Judging
1 p.m. Jr. Fair Horse Show
1:30 pm Jr. Fair Market Lamb Showmanship
Jr. Fair Sheep Breeding Showmanship
2 p.m. Hillbilly Barnyard Games
2 p.m. Poultry & Turkey Showmanship
3 p.m. Jr. Fair Dairy Feeder Steer Showmanship
4 p.m. Jr. Fair Cake Decorating Contest
4 p.m. Chases Racing Pigs
4:30 pm Jr. Fair Market Beef Showmanship
5 - 6 pm Midway Shutdown for safety inspection.
5 p.m. Coin Hunt
5 p.m. Goat Dress-up
6 p.m. Truck & Tractor Pull-Hot Classes
6 p.m. Boley Pedal Tractor Pull
7 p.m. Chases Racing Pigs
11 p.m. Midway Closes
SUNDAY
8 a.m. Gates Open
9 a.m. Worship Service
10 a.m. Small Tractor Tug Pull
10 a.m. Open Horse Show
11 a.m. Jr. Fair Dairy Feeder Steer Show
11 a.m. Jr. Fair Market Poultry Show
12 noon Harness Horse Racing/Pari-Mutual Betting
12 noon Chases Racing Pigs
12 noon Jr. Fair Rabbit Judging
12 noon Jr. Fair Goat Showmanship
Jr. Fair Market & Breeding Goat Shows to follow
1 p.m. Midway Opens
1 p.m. Jr. Fair Market Beef Show
2 p.m. Hillbilly Barnyard Games
Jr. Fair Demonstration Contest
3 p.m. Chases Racing Pigs
5 - 6 pm Midway Shutdown for safety inspection.
5 p.m. Sheep Lead Class
5 p.m. Coin Hunt
6 p.m. Chases Racing Pigs
6 p.m. Waterford FFA Pedal Pull
7:30 pm Buckeye Rodeo
11 p.m. Midway Closes
MONDAY
8 a.m. Gates Open
8 a.m. Jr. Fair Sheep Breeding Show
Open Sheep Judging
8 a.m. Open & Jr. Fair Poultry Show
9 a.m. Pony Pull
9 a.m. Antique Tractor Tug Pull -
Sponsored by Riverview Industrial
9 a.m. Jr. Fair Beef Breeding Showmanship (Jr. Fair Beef Breeding Show to follow)
9 a.m. Open Rabbit Judging
10 a.m. Jr. Fair Horse Show
10 a.m. Small Tractor Speed Pull
11 a.m. Jr. Fair Market Lamb Show
12 noon Midway Opens
12 noon Chases Racing Pigs
12 noon Draft Horse Pull
1-7 p.m. Election of Fair Board Directors
1 p.m. Cloverbud Activities.
2 p.m. Hillbilly Barnyard Games
3 p.m. Small Animal Buyer Reception
3 p.m. Mud Bogg
3 p.m. Chases Racing Pigs
3 p.m. Buyers Reception
3:30 pm Jr. Fair Small Animal Sale
5 p.m. Coin Hunt
5 - 6 pm Midway Shutdown for safety inspection.
6 p.m. Chases Racing Pigs
6:30 pm Texaco Country Showdown Ohio State Finals
8 p.m. RICOCHET
11 p.m. Midway Closes
TUESDAY
8 a.m. Gates Open
9 a.m. Jr. Fair Dairy Showmanship
10 a.m. Jr. Fair Horse Show
10 a.m. Dairy Breeding Judging
11 a.m. Chases Racing Pigs
4 p.m. Midway Opens
4 p.m. Chases Racing Pigs
5 p.m. Large Animal Buyer Reception
6 p.m. Jr. Fair Large Animal Sale
6 p.m. Chases Racing Pigs
7 p.m. Demolition Derby
8 p.m. Exhibits may be removed-CHECK WITH DIRECTOR IN CHARGE
11 p.m. Midway Closes
PONY RIDES - EVERYDAY
$5 PER RIDE
The Rotary Club of Marietta has been participating in the fair for years, according to president Sherry Maston.
"It is a great way for us to promote Rotary-we decorate in blue and gold - and it gives us time to get together, to get to know new members," she said.
This year's parade marshals will be John and Emily Smith of Little Hocking. The couple have been 4-H advisors for more than 45 years and have served on various committees with the Washington County Fair, including the livestock and flower show. The couple were chosen by the board because of their involvement in the community and promotion of the fair, according to Wheeler.
The Smiths have six children, 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The couple have camped at the fairgrounds during the fair for the last 40 years and were putting their camper in place Wednesday.
"It just seems like it's the right place for us to be this time of the year," said John Smith, 76.
Emily Smith, 77, said the couple were honored by their selection as marshals, although she admitted it would be a little different from their past activities at the fair.
"I think you just get in a car and lead the parade up to the fairgrounds and then you can go and do whatever you want to do," she laughed when asked about their duties.
Smith said someone once told her they had gotten upset about something at the fair and wouldn't be coming anymore, a position she can't imagine taking.
"I said, 'It's my fair, and I'm never gonna get mad and I'm never gonna quit coming,'" she said. "As long as I'm able, I'm going to keep coming."
Evan Bevins contributed.
