Ashland County Fairgrounds all dressed up and ready to go for 2023

Upgraded and newly enhanced, the Ashland County Fairgrounds is ready to go for the 2023 Ashland County Fair, Sept. 17-23.

Along with improvements to the grounds, programs are planned to appeal to all generations of fair-goers.

Of interest to everyone are the many capital improvements that were completed over the summer.

"We have a wish list," said Cathy Rice, fair secretary and office manager, pointing to a poster on the wall.

"We like to pick one big or medium-sized project each year," said fair board President Martin Wesner, based on surveys circulated to identify possibilities. "Then we see what everybody else on the board thinks."

This year the addition of new gatehouses, No. 3 and No. 4, marks the completion of renovation of all of the gatehouses, Rice said.

"They are all new within the last three years," Wesner said. "It looks a lot better when you first walk into the fair," while also offering more comfort for the ticket takers.

A major change is the new sheep pavilion, Rice said.

The sheep usually are shown in a tent, which had the disadvantage of getting wet, she said. The new pavilion is surrounded by cement and also features new drains.

"It really looks nice," Wesner said, noting it was made possible by "quite a few donors," including a major one from a family involved with the livestock department.

New gates have been installed in the swine show ring using money raised from sponsors of a hog show in June.

The sheep and swine committee continues to make improvements to the barn and show arena, Rice said.

Flowers will be blooming in new locations. The biggest garden will be in front of the rabbit barn.

Work around the fairgrounds also encompassed a lot of new siding projects and painting in the Coliseum.

Some repaving was completed as well, Wesner said, adding, safety issues are always on the board's agenda.

Not only will the fair look good, it will sound good, too.

The popular Parade of Bands kicks off at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Headlining the fair's "big concert," Rice said, will be country music singer Joe Nichols performing Tuesday at 7 p.m. Guest performer will be Emily Ann Roberts from The Voice.

Among the additional Grandstand entertainment will be the Diamond J Rodeo at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Music is scheduled every day in the Pavilion, which is "a good place to rest, eat food and meet up with friends," Rice said.

Special days at the fair will appeal to everyone from kids to senior citizens, and, of course, veterans.

Tuesday is Senior Citizens Day, called Fun Times at the Pavilion, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $1 for senior citizens 65 and older.

The day will feature the second annual euchre tournament. Participants, age 60 and older, must register with the Council on Aging at 419-496-0429 by Friday.

Also on the schedule is a performance by a gospel group, The Warrior, at noon and a comedian magician, On the Edge of Illusion, at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The king and queen contest will return at 2 p.m., having been sidelined during the pandemic. Master of Ceremonies will be Ashland Mayor Matt Miller.

The Junior Fair King and Queen contest will be held Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at the Cheyenne Spidel Entertainment Pavilion.

Veterans will be admitted to the fair for free with an ID on Monday and also may eat for free that day between noon and 6 p.m.

A Wall of Honor displaying pictures of Ashland County men and women who have served the country is located in the Veterans Building. A Walk of Honor will begin at 10:45 a.m. and culminate with a Veterans Honor Service at the Pavilion at 11 a.m.

Ashland County veterans in attendance at the fair Monday may enter a drawing for a donated quilt or afghan from the Old Uniontown Quilt Guild in its 33rd year of being a host for the quilt show in Mozelle Hall.

Wednesday is Ladies Day with special programming at the Pavilion 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

To entertain little ones with their families, activities for children will include the Diaper Derby Thursday at 10 a.m.; toddler foot race Thursday at 1:30 p.m.; and small fry car race on Friday at 11 a.m. The Kiddie Tractor Pull is scheduled for Sunday at 4 p.m. On Friday COSI will be doing a stage presentation at the Pavilion from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

"It's fun for kids," and will include some interaction with audience members, Rice said, adding, "pony rides are also coming back."

The Ashland Building, next door to the fair office, will be the location of a display from area preschools and a "guess where the photo was taken" contest with a gift card prize going to the winner. Another special feature in the Ashland Building is space allocated to highlight local businesses.

Fair personnel are paying attention to the progress of road work under way on Claremont Avenue concerning its impact on fair traffic.

"We'll have plenty of signage" to direct attendees, Wesner said.

Wesner expressed appreciation to community efforts benefitting the Ashland County Fair.

"We have lots and lots of volunteers," he said, including 4-H and community members.

Wesner is additionally grateful for grants and donations making improvements possible.

He is looking forward to a well-attended fair boosted by "nice weather."

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland County Fair kicks off Sunday; here's what's new and improved