By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The stars are aligning for the 2024 Wood County Fair, which kicks off Sunday morning (July 28) for its eight-day run, through Aug. 4.
Everyone can “Be a Star” at the fair this year, said Fair Board Director Jessica Nagel. There are countless opportunities—some traditional and some new—where visitors and participants can shine and enjoy the fair, she said.
They could be a star in the show ring or an exhibitor in any of the junior fair or open class competitions. They might shine as a fair food connoisseur, or a spectator visiting the animals in the barns, attending any of the grandstand events, or taking advantage of the family-fun activities on the schedule.
There will be plenty of projects to see. Nearly 7,000 open class entries are registered for the Wood County Fair when it opens Sunday (July 28), Nagel reported.
On Thursday (July 25) during the intake process for the Fine Arts Building, nearly 4,000 open class entries were delivered. People and families arrived with boxes, bins and wagons full of entries. By the end of the evening, Lego builds and models, artwork and photographs, collections and crafts, and wood creations from lamps to bookshelves were in place awaiting judging and the possibility of wearing a ribbon.
Arnie Rader of Grand Rapids arrived early to enter four items in the models category this year. After earning first-, second- and third-place ribbons last year in the models judging, he said he wanted to try something a little different.
An instrumentation and electrical technician by trade, Rader enjoys putting together models to relax. This year he is hoping the details of the wooden agricultural-themed, combine and steam thresher models, or the classic Mustang car catch the judge’s eye.
Six-year-old Michael Violi pulled out handfuls of miniature green farm machinery from a huge plastic storage bag. With help from his father, Tony, a fair board director, Michael set up each tiny piece of equipment to best display his prized collection with hopes of being a star.
Rick Leimgruber spent Thursday helping to set up the Fish Bowl, Duck Pond and Skee Ball games that will make fairgoers a star, or at least go home with a prize. The Bowling Green native said he returns home to help Rick Fultz prepare the games for the midway at the Wood County Fair and a few other local fairs.
Nagel is excited for some of the fair’s new, family- and fairgoer-friendly activities including the Shark and Stingray Encounter. Tucked inside the front entrance to the Fine Arts Building is a wonderland of creativity for fairgoers—mostly geared at the young ones. Before or after viewing the thousands of creative projects on display in the building, visitors can color on a huge space-themed mural or create their own “Draw Your Own Selfie.”
That corner of the building will also welcome families to a story hour scheduled Monday through Friday at 2 p.m. Copies of each day’s featured book will be given to the first 25 families in attendance.
A Shark and Stingray Encounter introduces fairgoers to the sea creatures and a petting zoo will be in the Family Fun Zone, a tent south of the grandstands. Tuesday through Sunday, the touch tank will be open and visitors can watch a handler feed the stingrays.
Several youth-focused activities are planned in the Free Tent across from the Fair Administration Building, including Craft Day Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) Day Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Game Day on Friday.
The Roots and Boots Concert is the featured country music concert this year on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the grandstand. Performers include Sammy Kershaw, Collin Raye and Aaron Tippin. Ticket information is available here.
Other evening grandstand events for the week include the Junior Fair Parade and King and Queen coronation Sunday (July 29) starting at 7 p.m. (free grandstand entry); Cheerleading Competition Monday at 6 p.m. ($5 for 6 years and older); harness races Tuesday at 5 p.m. (also Sunday at noon); Micro Wrestling Wednesday at 7 p.m. ($5); Multi-Vehicle Demolition Derby Friday at 7 p.m.; Truck and Tractor Pull Saturday at 6 p.m.; and the Car and Truck Demolition Derby Sunday (Aug. 4) at 5:30 p.m. ($5).
Let Your Abilities Shine Day
On Thursday, the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Wood County Fair Board are hosting “Let Your Abilities Shine” Day on Thursday.
According to Charese Botjer, WCBDD communications and community engagement manager, Individuals served, along with support staff, may enter the Wood County Fair for free between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. “Those transporting large groups are asked to park and enter through Entrance A. Smaller groups and vehicles are asked to park and enter through Entrance B. You do not have to show proof of receiving services from your county board to enter,” she said.
In addition to the heart-warming, inspirational Ring of Dreams at 5:30 p.m. in the Pratt Pavilion, the partner organizations are offering an inclusive experience for individuals served by the county board. Between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., the recreation team from the county board will offer fun-filled, inclusive activities in a large tent located at Fair Entrance A1. Wood County Fair representatives and WCBDD staff will also offer guided animal tours.
J.R. and Denise Woods, owners of Durant Amusements which provides the rides for the fair, will open a few of the rides for a short time in the morning to give exclusive ride time for individuals to ride in a more sensory-friendly environment.
A sensory room has been set up in the Junior Fair Building for anyone needing to decompress a bit from the activities on the fairgrounds.
Throughout the entire week of the fair, the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities will premier its new Universal Changing Unit, providing individuals served and those with mobility limitations a safe, clean, inclusive, and dignified space for personal care. The Universal Changing Unit will be located near the grandstands.
Earlier this year, Fair Director Paul Perry had reached out to the county board with an idea to make the fair more inclusive.
“I am very excited for the partnership that the Wood County Fair and WCBDD has formed to ensure that we are being inclusive for all members of the community. The day to let your abilities shine will be shining bright this year at the Wood County Fair,” Perry said.
“Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities is proud and excited about its partnership with the Wood County Fair Board,” said Brent Baer, WCBDD superintendent. “The opportunity to advance inclusion by getting behind the scenes at the fair with a hands-on approach to care for the livestock and the hard work required to make the fair successful simply just feels right. Good people partnering with good people build a stronger community.”
For more information about the fair hours, prices and schedule, visit the Wood County Fair website.
