By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
There will be no admission charged to get into the Wood County Fair this year since many of the plans for the fair had to be scrapped a few days before the event was to begin.
Due to COVID-19 outbreaks linked to other county fairs in Ohio, and a lack of adherence to safety measures on fairgrounds, Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Tuesday that the remaining county fairs in Ohio would be pared down to just junior fairs.
So that means no grandstand entertainment, no rides, no games, no swine scramble, no adult exhibits of flowers, art, produce, quilting and baking skills.
There will be livestock competitions by youth, but those will have limited audiences. There will be a king and queen contest – but again, not in front of the normally full grandstand. Members of 4-H clubs will be able to exhibit their projects.
As Senior Fair Board President Mike Trout began the board’s emergency meeting Wednesday evening, he cautioned the crowd gathered in a livestock barn.
There would be no public comments allowed, and fair board members needed to keep their composure, he said.
The board members, who plan year round for the fair, were not pleased with the governor’s order, but seemed resigned to the fair – coronavirus style.
“I hope the governor doesn’t throw another monkey wrench into it,” and make more changes before the Wood County Junior Fair starts on Monday, Trout said.
As of now, the fair will still have food vendors and camping allowed for those who want to stay on the grounds. Those who reserved camping spots but no longer want to stay on the fairgrounds will have their camping fees rolled over to next year.
Commercial exhibits have been canceled, as well as the regular exhibits that fill up the Fine Arts, Women’s World and Grange buildings.
Harness racing will go on – but with no spectators.
Though masks were not mentioned during the fair board meeting, Trout said after the meeting that masks will be required inside buildings and outside if people can’t maintain social distance. If people are not complying, it will be up to fair board members to enforce the state requirement.
“They should be asked to put on a mask by a board member,” Trout said.
The board engaged in spirited debate over several decisions, including whether or not to charge gate admission. One member asked why the general public should be allowed into the fair. Another asked why the public would want to attend.
But Garrett Chamberlain, first vice president of the fair board, said the food vendors were counting on customers. Many had already purchased their supplies, he said.
Many of the food vendors waited to sign up for the Wood County Fair after it was decided in June to have a full fair. So Trout cautioned that some may reconsider now that it will just be a junior fair.
One board member questioned how crowds will be controlled.
But another asked, “How many people are really going to show up to the fair with just livestock?”
It was agreed that each youth showing livestock or the approximately 40 vying for king or queen, be given six wristbands for family and friends. Those wristbands will be required for entrance to the pavilion livestock showings and the grandstand. The royalty contest will be livestreamed for those who can’t attend.
In addition to rules from the state, the Wood County Board of Health voted Tuesday evening to recommend that the fair board change to pull-in shows for livestock this year so families did not have to spend the whole week at the fair.
The showings would be staggered throughout the week, so the number of people would be spread out each day.
By a vote of 13 to 9, with one abstention, the fair board agreed to limit the shows for each species to one or two days, except for horses. Some board members questioned the ability to pull off that schedule.
But board member Kyle Culp said it is possible.
“Counties all over the state and country are doing it,” Culp said. “It is possible. It’s not what everybody wants. Ideal, no. Possible, yes.”
Board member Steve Speck agreed.
“We’re trying to do the best with the hand we’re dealt,” Speck said.
“If everybody sticks together to pull this thing off” it can be done, Culp said, stressing that this year’s rules be strictly enforced. “Most people will abide by the rules if they want to participate. Why would anyone jeopardize that?”
The board also debated the fate of the showmanship sweepstakes, which puts youth to the test with all species exhibited at the fair. Dave Nietz urged fellow board members to not cancel that part of the fair.
“Kids work all year long on showmanship,” Nietz said. “They’ve had a lot taken away from them.”
It was agreed that the showmanship sweepstakes will be held Friday at 5:30 p.m.
