Holmes County Fair ramping up for an exciting week

Whether it is celebrating 100 years or 101 years, it isn’t the number of years the Holmes County Fair has been in existence, but the impact it has on the county and 4-H clubs that remains meaningful.

After the 100th annual edition took place last year, number 101 of the Holmes County Fair Aug. 5-10 at Harvest Ridge in Millersburg should be as fun as ever.

With Holmes County continuing to focus on presenting a fair that centers around the junior fair and the 4-H programs, it remains one of the only county fairs in the state that does so, and with the way the community and its people have rallied around the junior fair livestock auction every year, why not?

For the past two decades, Kerry Taylor has been the president of the Holmes County Senior Fair Board, putting all his knowledge and a host of other board members to good use in crafting year after year.

After stepping down from that role earlier this year, the transfer of power will go all of about 5 feet through a wall at Millersburg Electric, which Taylor owns.

That is because new President Roger Boring is a longtime employee at Millersburg Electric, so the role of president won’t have to travel far.

However, more importantly, the fair board remains loaded with committed board members, most of whom have been serving in their respective capacities with the fair for many years, and Boring will be the first to admit his main job will be to simply let the well-oiled machine that is the fair board continue to operate as it ramps up for the upcoming fair.

“Being the president of this board gets a lot easier because of the expertise we have on the board,” Boring said. “When it comes to crunch time, each of these board members are taking care of their own part of the fair, and it’s worked for many years.”

As has been the case since its inception, the junior fair and livestock auction has been incredibly well supported by the community at large.

Boring said that all centers around the 4-H program taking on such a valuable role in the county.

“The draw is definitely 4-H, which makes sense with the agricultural background we have in this community,” Boring said.

Proof of that is no more evident than in the prices each animal brings at the livestock auction, where community businesses and individuals show their support and commitment to the youth through their checkbooks, with each auction bringing in top dollar, not just for the grand champions, but also across the board.

“We are blessed with the support,” Boring said. “People often ask us at conventions how we as a board do that. We don’t. The kids and community do it. They put in the effort and support.”

While the junior fair and its auction represent a large chunk of the Holmes County Fair, it is far from the only reason to enjoy this weeklong celebration.

It all begins in the grandstand arena, where a nightly venue of events fills the slate with shows starting at 7 p.m.

Monday will feature the popular rodeo event, with Tuesday focused on the Holmes County Fair Truck & Tractor Pull at 4 p.m. Wednesday will feature the Motocross, Thursday will host the Holmes County Fair Bulls & Barrels Rodeo, and Friday will feature the Brad Giauque Memorial OSTPA Truck & Tractor Pull. The Demolition Derby will cap off an exciting week of action. There also will be drag racing on Saturday morning.

“We’ve been so successful with our venue there’s no reason to change, so it will be business as usual,” Boring said.

He said Holmes County continues to present a family-friendly fair, from the concession stands to the main events and the ride company, where longtime ride providers Kissell Amusements blends in perfectly with the Holmes County appeal.

“Randy Kissell and Kissell Amusements is family-operated, and they are our family,” Boring said. “They love Holmes County and do a great job.”

With something for everyone including the art show barn, Kids Day and Veterans Day on Wednesday, Senior Citizen Day on Thursday, plenty of daily ride specials for the kids, and many other entertaining venues including live music, fair food with loads of vendors and more, the fun will start in the morning and roll along well into the night.

Boring said with the focus on the 4-H kids, the board also wants visitors to feel that same respect and welcoming attitude.

“We want every single person who enters the gate each day to feel like they are the most important person,” Boring said. “This fair is for the people and the kids, and that’s why we invest so much time and energy into making sure each little detail is taken care of and people can come and have a great time.”

For admission prices, general information and a list of everything going on at the Holmes County Fair, visit them on Facebook.