By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The Wood County Fair is more than farm animals and rides. Those are certainly part of the long-time tradition of the fair, admits Wood County Fair Board President Paul Perry, but he’s quick to add, “The fair is one of the largest community celebrations that we have in Wood County.”
The weeklong event, which opens Sunday, Aug. 2 and runs through Sunday, Aug.9, is meant for families and the community to come out, see the animals, visit the fine arts and home and garden exhibits, catch up with friends, eat some food and visit the local groups and businesses that are at the fair to reach the broader community.
“I like to say that we have something here for everybody,” Perry said.
The fair has put a big focus on community partners this year. Day sponsors include Perrysburg Pipe & Supply Co, the Wood County Veterans Service Center on Sunday, (Veterans, active-duty military and first responders admitted free), Meta for STEAM Day on Wednesday, Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities for Let Your Abilities Shine Day on Thursday, and Bowling Green State University on Friday.
“And having BGSU as a community partner now has opened up a lot of new doors,” Perry said. “They’ll bring their own fun to the fair as well.”
Friday night will be “a major night here at the fair with the rodeo plus the fireworks afterwards,” he said. For BGSU Day at the Fair, BGSU Athletics will be at the front gate (Gate C) from 5 until about 7 p.m. About 50 members of the BGSU Marching Band will arrive at 6:30. They will march through the midway, then perform some songs and the National Anthem in front of the grandstands before the big-time rodeo.
BGSU Football Coach Eddie George and Director of Athletics Derek van de Merwe also will help kick off the rodeo and “pump up the crowd,” Perry said.
Fair is about the kids
“The fair is truly about the kids,” he said, whether they are riding the rides, showing animals, sharing their 4-H projects at the Junior Fair Building or helping in the 4-H Milkshake Barn.
“For many kids here, the fair is their Super Bowl, their World Series,” he explained. “It’s our job and our obligation to ensure that they have the best fair possible.”
He believes the lessons learned at the fair and through their junior fair experiences are helping to build future leaders. “They are our future business owners, farmers, leaders,” he said. “If we have a small role in that, we can help guide them in the right direction. That’s absolutely what we need to do and that’s what makes the fair great.”
The fair board has made several upgrades and improvements, from remodeled restrooms, upgraded electric across the fairgrounds and better ventilation in the Pratt Pavilion, to improved signage, a concrete floor in the poultry barn and new sidewalks near the rabbit barn.
First-day activities
The 2026 Wood County Fair starts tomorrow (Sunday, Aug. 2), with gates opening at 8 a.m.
The fair board will hold a special dedication ceremony for the new main entrance flagpoles at 10 a.m. The patriotic addition will serve as a prominent landmark welcoming visitors and honoring veterans.
The ceremony will feature a formal dedication performed by the Bowling Green State University ROTC. The project was made possible entirely through the generous contributions and community spirit of local partners, including the Perrysburg American Legion Post 28, the Bowling Green VFW Post 1148, K&K Construction, and Crawford Landscaping for their donations of funds, materials and labor to bring the project to fruition.
“We are incredibly moved by the generosity of our local veteran organizations and community businesses,” said Fair Manager Laura Westgate. “These new flagpoles at our main entrance represent the strength, unity and resilience of Wood County.”
The public is encouraged to attend the ceremony. Sunday is Veterans and First Responders Day at the Fair; admission is free to these individuals.
No rides on Sunday
Perry pointed out that the rides will not be ready for riders on Sunday. Instead, there will be some free inflatables set up for the day in the Family Fun Area near the grandstands. The rides will open on Monday at 3 p.m.
Other activities on Sunday include:
- 8 a.m.—Baking Intake, Home and Garden Building
- 9 a.m. —Jr. Fair Market Goat Show
- 9 a.m.—Open Class Horse and Pony Performance
- 9 a.m.—Grange Coloring Contest Intake
- 9 a.m.—Flower Show #1 Intake
- Noon—Harness Racing, Grandstands
- 12:30 p.m.—Baking Judging (closed to public)
- 1 p.m—Kids Stick Horse Racing Check-in
- 1 p.m.—Coloring Contest Judging
- 5 p.m.—Baked Goods Auction
- 5;30 p.m.—Post Everlasting
- 6 p.m.—Firefighter Years of Service
- 6 p.m.—Wood Workers Guild Demonstration (until 8 p.m.)
- 7 p.m.—Jr. Fair Parade/Opening Ceremony
- 8:30 p.m. (time may vary)—Jr. Fair King & Queen Crowning
- 11 p.m.—Fairgrounds close
