Auglaize County Fair entries up this year

Fair entries are up this year, and Auglaize County Fair officials are pondering how to make everything fit.

As of Monday’s fair board meeting, the tightest fit will be for steers, according to Beef Department Chairman Kevin Turner, who is still exploring options for additional space. Fair board President Steve Bushman said 329 beef entries marks an increase of 45 from last year.

Dairy entries were down 23, from 92 to 69. Goat entries were down 15 overall with 328 entries. There are 75 horse entries, up five from last year. Bushman said poultry entries were mostly similar to past years. Rabbit entries saw a slight decrease, breeding sheep are down from 28 to 24. Market sheep saw an increase from 85 to 93. Hogs are also up to 347 from 339 last year.

Fair Manager Ed Doenges asked board members about a request from someone with a medical condition for using a golf cart the week of the fair. Board members expressed concerns about that opening the door for anyone to make a similar request.

Board member Mike Schmerge recommended giving a phone number she could call so that she could get assistance during the week of the fair. Doenges agreed with the solution.

Doenges reported there was still space for vendors in the commercial

building.

Doenges also passed around a schedule showing when the drive through holiday display would be open. He said it would take all the board members being on board for the effort to work.

Doenges said he got a call

from a group of horsemen who wanted to come and do a demonstration to music at the fair, including during the National Anthem. He said it has gone over well in Mercer County. Doenges is exploring to have the horsemen come ahead of multiple events at this year’s fair.

This year marks the return of the full fair with rides food vendors, and open shows,

Doenges said there will be

open shows for about every species of animal that they have. Shows were limited last year to only the junior fair. He said it gives junior fair members an additional opportunity to show their animal.

“It keeps the activity in the barn full; there is always something going on back there,” Doenges said. “It’s pretty hard to come to the fair and not see some type of a livestock show.”