Ottawa County: Fair schedule approved

The Ottawa County Agricultural Society has voted to move forward with a modified, primarily Junior Fair, schedule.
The decision was made to focus efforts on one-day livestock judgings for each species, equestrian shows, harness racing, and some vendor opportunities.
The Junior Fair Livestock Sale Committee was also authorized to move forward with planning an online, premium only sale. Safety and distancing precautions are being addressed so that the youth and their families can participate in and watch the events.
The modified schedule is set for the week of July 20-26 and will allow the youths of Ottawa County to showcase their projects and compete in the show ring, organizers said.
“These were tough decisions with negatives on both sides of the vote. We’ve looked at opinions across the spectrum, put out a survey with a great response of almost 1,100 responses and looked at what we consider to be every angle, said OCAS board president, Zak Avers. “Although the normal financial generosity from our community may be tough to come by, I am hopeful that we will still spark support for our youth even if manifested in unconventional formats. By making these changes this year, in a year of change, we will be better prepared physically and financially for our fair in 2021.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions and mandatory practices in the Safe RestartOhio guidelines, the OCAS made the decisions to ensure the financial viability of the fair for future years, he said.
The board determined that the current circumstances eliminated any possibility of a normal fair schedule coming close to breaking even financially.
Consequently, Senior Fair and grounds events were eliminated from the schedule to help cut spending and redirect funds towards Junior Fair judging. The only events not under Junior Fair jurisdiction approved to continue were the Harness Horse Races scheduled for Monday and Tuesday night which are largely funded through the state and less susceptible to the effects from a change in spectator attendance.
Week-long exhibition of animals was also eliminated. Livestock shows in which a species is coming in for a showing and then leaving the grounds within the same day follows state regulations that limit animals’ time on the grounds, Avers said.
Equine show logistics will also be addressed in the near future but will continue in some capacity.
Options for exhibitors as well as facilities for the champion animals are still being reviewed by the Livestock Sale Committee.
Camping was determined to no longer be feasible and was cut from the schedule as well. The board voted to roll current payments over to next year’s registration and to follow the current policy regarding refunds.
“The core of an agricultural society is to provide for the education of our youth and to promote and encourage agriculture. We feel that with a modified Junior Fair schedule, we can accomplish that mission,” Avers said. “With the new schedule, no Senior Fair events will be held, no weekly camping, no grandstand entertainment aside from harness racing, likely no mechanical rides, and few vendors will be on the grounds, but all Junior Fair livestock and equine shows will continue in a format yet to be finalized. This will allow the OCAS to operate within current regulations while still giving the youth in Ottawa County a smidge of normalcy this summer.
For information, visit ottawacountyfair.org and the Ottawa County Fair Facebook page.