Holmes County Fair Aug. 4-9 sets the stage for excitement

What makes the Holmes County Fair so entertaining? It’s the grace in the horse show arena, the power of the tractor pull, the precision of youth in the ring during showmanship events, the joy of 4-Hers as they witness local businesses and individuals supporting them in the junior livestock fair, the thrill of the rides, the taste of fair food, the music, the companionship, and everything else that makes up fair week.

The Holmes County Fair will be Aug. 4-9 at Harvest Ridge, 1 mile west of Millersburg, and this year’s fair promises to be bigger and better than ever.

As usual the week will begin and end with the kids because this fair remains dedicated to its continuation of being one of the only fairs remaining a junior fair.

“That probably won’t ever change,” said Roger Boring, senior fair board president.

All week long the expo center will be filled with events showcasing the talents and skills of the county’s youth, from showmanship events in animals from rabbits to steer to the Thursday and Friday junior livestock sales that continue to see an impressive amount of support from the community.

“I think the community recognizes how much work these young people put into raising their animals, and they respect that,” Boring said.

The expo center also will be home to other activities such as Wednesday’s Senior Day and the many business vendors who will set up tables and displays throughout the week.

The fair board has gone to great lengths to pump up the volume and excitement level in the grandstand this year.

“Shows are getting more and more difficult to bring in, but we knew we wanted to change some things up this year,” Boring said. “We’ve got a fantastic week of entertainment this year that we think fans will love.”

The grandstand showcase will include, in order from Monday through Saturday at 7 p.m. each night, Bulls & Barrels Rodeo, Full Throttle Monster Trucks, motocross, Derby Dog Rough Trucks, the Brad Giauque Memorial OSTPA Truck & Tractor Pull and the demolition derby.

The fair will open each day at 8 a.m., and rides will roll out at 10 a.m.

Monday, Aug. 4 will kick off with the coronation of the king and queen at 5 p.m. and Bulls & Barrels Rodeo in the grandstand at 7 p.m.

“That’s always a huge draw,” Boring said of the rodeo.

The West Holmes marching band will play live at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, with a performance from Shine Bright Studio at 6:30 p.m. and a new event shining in the grandstand at 7 p.m. with Full Throttle Monster Trucks.

“This one should be really interesting,” Boring said. “These big trucks are impressive, and there will be photo opportunities for fans prior to the event. We’re really excited about this night.”

Wednesday, Aug. 6 will feature a COSI Science LIVE! Show at 1 p.m., performances from the East Holmes High School Band at 5 p.m. and Holmes Center for the Arts at 6 p.m., followed by motocross in the grandstand venue at 7 p.m. From noon to 4 p.m., it will be time for the youngsters to enjoy Kids Day, with reduced ride passes, vendor discounts, special giveaways, activities and more.

Thursday, Aug. 7 will include a 4-H pleasure horse show at 9 a.m.; Senior Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., complete with door prizes, giveaways, music and vendor discounts for seniors; the junior livestock sale at 3 p.m. for broilers, ducks, turkeys and hogs; and the Derby Dog Rough Truck event at 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 8 will include an omelet breakfast hosted by Holmes County Roots starting at 8 a.m. and a family four-pack savings option for rides. The junior dairy auction will begin in the expo center at 3 p.m., with the livestock sale promptly following. The sale will include dairy feeders, market lambs, meat market goats, market dairy goats, market beef, rabbits and beef feeders. The Brad Giauque Memorial OSTPA Truck & Tractor Pull will start at the grandstand arena at 7 p.m., featuring a bevy of divisions.

Saturday, Aug. 9 will kick off with the Showman of Showman contest, which has all the week’s top junior showmen in each animal division squaring off to determine the top showman. There will be a horse fun show and the 4-H award ceremony at 10 a.m. The Be You Livestock Show at noon will invite individuals with special needs to get in the ring and show animals. The David Martin Memorial Pedal Tractor Pull will take place at 2 p.m., with the Celebrity Showman event starting at 2 p.m. There will be a cornhole tournament, money scramble and the demolition derby in the grandstand arena at 7 p.m.

To cap off the entertainment venue, the Lynard Skynard tribute group Mister Breeze Band will perform a live show at the CSB Stage on the Green at 8 p.m.

All week long there will be other venues like the 4-H display booths, garden show, home arts show, plenty of animals and more.

“We’ve worked hard to create what we believe will be an exciting week of activity, filled with entertainment and meaningful events for the 4-H youth,” Boring said.

For a more complete slate of events, visit www.holmescountyfair.com. For any updates find the Holmes County Fair on Facebook.