By Kristin Rover
Sun staff
The Clermont County Fair is just around the corner bringing with it seven days of entertainment, activities, and attractions at the fairgrounds in Owensville.
“The Clermont County Fair is a tradition we can all be proud of,” Greg Simpson, fair board secretary and one of the event organizers, said.
Simpson said the fair provides many fun opportunities for all generations.
“No matter what your interest is, it will be at the fair,” Simpson said.
Simpson said some of the most popular events include the tractor pull, demolition derby, the family-friendly circus, the petting zoo, and the bands playing each night.
The fair kicks off with the fair parade July 21. Veterans will also be recognized on Sunday during a special presentation at 6 p.m. at the grandstand.
Tractor pulls will be held July 22, July 24, and July 26, and demolition derbies will be held July 25 and July 27.
The Amazing Portable Circus will return this year on Family Day July 23.
There will also be a polo match demonstration, sponsored by Cincinnati Polo Club at 7 p.m. July 21.
Each day will feature rides, contests, food and beverage venders, and entertainment.
“Everything is family-friendly,” Simpson said about the fair activities. “It’s a good family atmosphere.”
The junior fair will also be running each day with children participating in showmanship classes, presenting projects, and giving demonstrations.
Kelly Royalty, 4-H youth program director for Clermont County Extension Office, said everyone should catch some of the junior fair activities while they are at the fair.
“If they want to make their first stop our office we can direct them to what is going on at the time they are there,” Royalty said.
Royalty said the have changed and added a couple things to junior fair this year.
“This year on Friday we are doing an animal science activity so people can do different experiments and see how people are similar or different than animals,” Royalty said.
She said the activity will be held in the goat arena at 2 p.m. July 26.
“We will still have our demonstration contest,” Royalty said. “Any junior fair participant can join the contest. We have added a marketing competition this year.”
Royalty said the animal showmanship classes remained pretty much the same this year, except they will have a dairy cattle show in the evening on July 22.
“Everyone needs to at least get out and see them,” Royalty said about the animal showmanship classes. “And get back to the horse show too.”
Royalty said hundreds of children will be participating in the junior fair this year.
She said the fair is a special time in Clermont County.
“The excitement of the fair, there is just something about it,” Royalty said.
Simpson said they will be doing some fund-raising at the fair this year in an effort to make improvements to the fairgrounds.
“We are faced with a challenge of raising additional funds,” Simpson said. “We want to build a new grandstand and renovate buildings on the grounds.”
Simpson said their revenue comes from ticket sales at the fair, and also some funds from the state. He said aside from that, they have to rely on other contributions.
“We really want to re-vamp the fairgrounds,” Simpson said. “We’re in dire need of doing that now. If we can get people interested in donating and helping us that would be great.”
Simpson said maintaining the fairgrounds now will keep it nice for generations to come.
Simpson said they are also looking to add a few more buildings in the future including a science and technology building for a science fair and a music hall.
The Clermont County Fair will run from July 21-27 at the Clermont County Fairgrounds located on Locust Street in Owensville.
Admission on Sunday is free, and admission on July 23 is $5 for Family Day. Every other day, admission is $10. Seniors can purchase tickets for $3 on Senior Day July 24.
For a full schedule of events, or for more information, visit www.clermontcountyfair.com.