BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
Alison Goetz, 3, with her aunt, Kim Bucheit waves at her parents at the Warren County Fair merry-go-round
(Dick Swaim photo)
|
ZOOM |
|
HAMILTON -- As large chunks of Butler County farmland are transformed into suburban sprawl, six days each July are reserved for the county to celebrate its agricultural roots. The occasion: the Butler County Fair.
The fair kicks off Sunday and runs through Friday at the place it has called home since before the Civil War -- the Butler County Fairgrounds on Ohio 4 in Hamilton.
In between munching treats and watching the events in the grandstand area, visitors can tour barns and see the best cattle, sheep, poultry and pigs raised by youngsters in the county's 4-H program, said Dan Martin, secretary - manager of the fair. The event gives county residents -- especially those from urban areas -- a feel for life on a farm.
Between 80,000 and 90,000 people attend the fair each year. "I think that there (are) more people that are interested in the lifestyle of farming," he said. "I think that's why some people move to the country, to get that atmosphere."
The fair is also an entertainment venue and will feature demolition derbies on Monday and Friday, a bull-riding championship on Sunday, harness racing on Tuesday and Wednesday, tractor pulling on Thursday. Every night the barns will be open, the food will be sizzling and the rides will be spinning.
More than 125 vendors will line the fair's midway offering games, products and services. Most county agencies and politicians also will have a spot at the fair. But the heart of the fair is agriculture, Mr. Martin said.
"We still, obviously, have the livestock competition . . . but it's also a chance for urban people and city people to see what agriculture produces," he said. "People have a tendency to think that (food is) produced in the back of grocery stores. That's just not the case. Agriculture's a huge industry and it feeds a lot of people."
The fair is also a working marketplace, and 4-H youngsters will sell their prize animal projects at auctions. The fair is the culmination of work for the 4-H members when they sell their animals. In most cases, proceeds go to college funds, said Mr. Martin.
If you go
What: Butler County Fair When: Sunday through Friday Where: Butler County Fairgrounds on Ohio 4 in Hamilton Hours: Noon-11 p.m. on Sunday and 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Friday Admission: Adults $4; children 6-12 $1; senior citizens free on July 29. Parking is $1.
