WATERFORD - Traffic crept along Ohio 339 in Waterford Friday evening as people filed in to the Waterford Fairgrounds for the 52nd Waterford Community Fair.
The event kicked off Thursday and wraps up Sunday, and treasurer Carolyn Allen said everything is going well so far, with attendance about the same as past years - around 4,000 people Thursday and 5,000 Friday.
"It opened Thursday afternoon with great attendance, a wonderful tug pull and a successful baby contest," she said. "The pedal pull - the children were excited and many participated."
Article Photos
ASHLEY HILL The Marietta Times
Children enjoy a ride on the merry-go-round at the 52nd Waterford Community Fair Friday evening. More photos from this event area available at cu.mariettatimes.com.
In the baby contest, Kameron Johnson and Hannah Seevers won in the baby boy and baby girl (up to 1 year old) categories, while Trevin Zimmer and Adilynn Mitchell won in the prince and princess (2-3) categories. Zakari Claggett was named king and Abigail Hoover was named queen in the 4- to 6-year-old category. Matthew Wayne took home the Mr. Waterford prize, while the title of Miss Waterford went to Lyanna Smith.
Friday began with hog, fruits, vegetables, floral and hay judging. The annual fair parade stepped off Friday evening from Fort Frye High School and ended at the fairgrounds, where a kids motorcycle and ATV rodeo and karaoke contest were slated.
Fair board member Ronnie Young, who has helped organize the fair for about 30 years, said the event has grown quite a bit over time.
Fact Box
Fair schedule
Saturday
8 a.m. - Presentation of colors.
8 a.m. - Livestock and Jackpot Show.
9 a.m. - Children's games (bicycle rodeo, helmets recommended, three divisions).
11:30 a.m. - Scales open.
Noon to 5 p.m. - Matinee rides ($10 armband).
Noon - Tractor Speed Pull.
1:30 p.m. - Allen Angle & the Hillbillies.
4 p.m. - Back Porch Swing Band.
5 p.m. - Rides ($12 armband).
6:30 p.m. - The Hart Brothers.
8 p.m. - Tractor Speed Pull.
9:30 p.m. - Pickin' on Country.
Sunday
8 a.m. - Presentation of colors.
8 a.m. - Fun Horse Show signup (entry fee $2 per class).
9 a.m. - Church services in the tent.
Noon to 4 p.m. - Matinee rides ($10 armband).
12:30 p.m. - Dulcimer music.
1 p.m. - Pedal tractor pull.
1 p.m. - Ladies Redneck Rodeo.
2 p.m. - Lacey & Her Attitude Band.
4:30 p.m. - Once Blue.
5 p.m. - Rides ($12 armband).
5 p.m. - Truck and tractor pull ($20 entry fee, $500 purse per class).
7:30 p.m. - Resurrect 27.
"For the first fair, the rides (were) a garden tractor with a trailer," he said, noting that there was also mud wrestling at the fair at one time.
For many people, attending the fair is a tradition.
Melva Dixon, 72, of Beverly, said she's been attending the fair since the beginning, when it was held in an open field near her home in Waterford.
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"It's gotten a lot bigger," she said. "It's a homecoming-reunion-type thing."
Laura Schott, of Waterford, said she's been going to the fair for about 29 years.
"It's nice to see people you haven't seen in a while in the community, and we have children and they like to ride the rides," she said.
