Ottawa County Fair kicks off with 4-H animal judging, parade

Daniel Carson, Fremont News-Messenger
·2 min read
The 58th Ottawa County Fair kicked off Monday with animal judging, a Grande Parade and the crowning of the Jr. Fair King and Queen. The fair runs through Sunday and features harness racing, rodeo, demolition derby and rides.
The 58th Ottawa County Fair kicked off Monday with animal judging, a Grande Parade and the crowning of the Jr. Fair King and Queen. The fair runs through Sunday and features harness racing, rodeo, demolition derby and rides.

OAK HARBOR — Ottawa County's 58th Annual Fair got underway Monday with 4-H animal judging, an evening Grande Parade and the crowning of the fair's Jr. king and queen.

Rain from Sunday and Monday forced the postponement of harness racing, scheduled for 5 p.m.

Zak Avers, Ottawa County's fair board president, said turnout seemed on par with typical opening days at the fair.

"I've seen a lot of people over on the rides. Our $6 admission on the rides seems to be working," Avers said.

One of the big new changes at the fair this year is that access to midway mechanical rides and inflatables will be included in the fair's $6 general admission fee.

Tait Dusseau of Graytown takes part in the 4-H lamb judging contest Monday at the Ottawa County Fair. The fair continues Tuesday with scheduled harness racing and a hog calling contest.
Tait Dusseau of Graytown takes part in the 4-H lamb judging contest Monday at the Ottawa County Fair. The fair continues Tuesday with scheduled harness racing and a hog calling contest.

Avers said the harness racing scheduled for Monday had been rescheduled to Wednesday morning at 11 a.m.

He said the fairground track got "a little soupy" after heavy rains fell Sunday and early Monday.

With the Ottawa County Fair site being a pari-mutuel wagering track, fair officials had to make the call on whether to reschedule harness racing early Monday, Avers said.

The 58th Ottawa County Fair kicked off Monday with animal judging, a Grande Parade and the crowning of the Jr. Fair King and Queen. The fair runs through Sunday and features harness racing, rodeo, demolition derby, chainsaw wood carving (pictured here) and rides.
The 58th Ottawa County Fair kicked off Monday with animal judging, a Grande Parade and the crowning of the Jr. Fair King and Queen. The fair runs through Sunday and features harness racing, rodeo, demolition derby, chainsaw wood carving (pictured here) and rides.

All of the fair's other events went on as scheduled Monday, including 4-H lamb judging.

Tait Dusseau of Graytown was one of several contestants holding his lamb in place through encouragement and the occasional tug as a judge walked back and forth and examined each animal.

Dusseau said he placed second in his class and fifth in showmanship.

"I love coming and seeing all my friends. Showing animals is the highlight, but doing it with my friends is the better prize," Dusseau said.

The 58th Ottawa County Fair kicked off Monday with animal judging, a Grande Parade and the crowning of the Jr. Fair King and Queen. The fair runs through Sunday and features harness racing, rodeo, horse judging, demolition derby and rides.
The 58th Ottawa County Fair kicked off Monday with animal judging, a Grande Parade and the crowning of the Jr. Fair King and Queen. The fair runs through Sunday and features harness racing, rodeo, horse judging, demolition derby and rides.

Free harness racing returned Tuesday at 5 p.m., and an Ace of Clubs Hog Calling Contest was set for 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday is Senior Citizens Day, with free admission for all visitors 65 and older. There will be a chainsaw carving exhibition at 6:30 p.m. with autocross starting at 7 p.m. at the grandstand.

The Rafter M. Rodeo is one of Thursday's highlights and starts at 7 p.m.

The 58th Ottawa County Fair kicked off Monday with animal judging, a Grande Parade and the crowning of the Jr. Fair King and Queen. The fair runs through Sunday and features harness racing, rodeo, demolition derby and rides.
The 58th Ottawa County Fair kicked off Monday with animal judging, a Grande Parade and the crowning of the Jr. Fair King and Queen. The fair runs through Sunday and features harness racing, rodeo, demolition derby and rides.

dacarson@gannett.com

419-334-1046

Twitter: @DanielCarson7

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Animal judging, parade, crowning among Ottawa County Fair highlights