Sandusky County Fair kicks off Monday with a week full of activities, entertainment
FREMONT - The 171st Sandusky County Fair kicks off Monday with the Grand Opening Ceremony at 8 a.m. and continues through Aug. 27.
After months of hard work, local residents will show their horses, enter their home baked cookies and compete for the tallest sunflower. The first grandstand event of the week features the Fremont Speedway Fair Races at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
New to the fair this year is the Tri-State Mini Tractor Pull at the grandstand at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
“I was approached by a guy at work about this, and we decided to give it a whirl,” said Fair Board President Bob Lagrou. “I think it will be good entertainment for the people.”
Demolition Derby returns on Aug. 26
Other grandstand entertainment includes a Chicken, Lamb and Calf Scramble at 7 p.m. Aug. 23; the Broken Horse Rodeo at 7 p.m. Aug. 24; country band LANCO in concert oat 8 p.m. Aug. 25 with an opening act beginning at 7 p.m., and a Demolition Derby at 6 p.m. Aug. 26.
“The Demolition Derby is our biggest attraction,” Lagrou said.
Recording artist Georgette Jones, the daughter of George Jones and Tammy Wynette, will perform a free concert at the Log Cabin on at 1 p.m. Aug. 27.
Other entertainment throughout the week includes the Cincinnati Circus Company, Red Dragon Laser Tag, Paiges’ Petting Zoo, and horse and pony rides.
Fair admission includes rides
Fair admission costs $11, which includes rides. Thursday, Aug. 24, is Senior and Veterans Day. All seniors and veterans get in free on Thursday thanks to sponsors United Healthcare, Sabroske Electric and Whirlpool. The Clyde VFW will provide free lunches to seniors on Senior Day.
Throughout the week, Junior Fair members will show the animals they have worked hard to raise and prep for fair. Among them is 20-year-old Jamarion Glover of Fremont, who will show in the crossbred breeding heifer and Maine breeding heifer classes. This is Glover’s third year showing cattle.
“My buddies started showing cattle, and I got into it. Now I love it and can’t stop,” he said.
Glover has been training the cattle for fair week since they were young, teaching them to wear a halter and pose on command.
“If cattle don’t know you, they can be anxious around you. As you spend time with them, they get more comfortable,” Glover said.
Glover practiced for the fair by competing in the Best Series Show in March, where he took third place with Rhoda, his crossbred breeding heifer. He’s looking forward to showcasing Rhoda at the Sandusky County Fair.
“Some people like the fair because of the food, but I always came for the animals. I have a good connection with animals,” he said.
During fair week, Glover will also step down from his yearlong duties as the 2022 Fair King First Runner Up. In the past 12 months, Glover has joined other fair royalty representing the Sandusky County Fair at more than 25 events across the state.
Glover enjoyed time as 2022 Fair King First Runner Up
“I had fun. We go to different fairs and events and go to demolition derbies and rodeos. It’s been a great experience, and I got to see how other fairs run,” he said. “The best thing is the bonding with the court. We often drive two hours to events, and we’re all in a big Ohio royalty group chat.”
Those bonds are strengthened during fair week, when Glover and dozens of other Junior Fair members camp at the fair all week.
“After everyone leaves, we hang out with the animals and play dodgeball or cornhole in the show arena,” Glover said. “We hang out all night.”
A full schedule of Sandusky County Fair events can be found at sanduskycountyfair.com.
Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Sandusky County Fair's Grand Opening Ceremony is Monday
