WILMINGTON — Monday will be Dylan and Derek Eltzroth's first time in a Clinton County Fair hog show, but their family has been participating for three generations.

Derek Eltzroth, 5, brushes Oinky, his 254 lb. hog, which competes Monday at the fair. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        For weeks, the boys, 9 and 5 respectively, have been training 245-pound Poinky and 254-pound Oinky nearly every night in back of their New Vienna home, using some of the same equipment that their dad, Lee, 42, used when he raised hogs.

        Such tradition is not unheard of at the Clinton County Fair, which kicked off its eight-day run Saturday. Many of the 25,000 people expected to attend the fair have made the event an annual family tradition.

        John W. and Velma Watson, both 72, have attended the fair every year since before they were married 53 years ago. The Sabina couple said they used to bring their family, but now come to support their grandchildren, who this year are competing in woodworking and the hog show.

        Other junior fair events include a dog show, rabbit show and bake-off. A demolition derby, motor-cross racing and tractor and truck pull highlight some of the week's grandstand events.

        While some families have been coming for generations, others made this year their first. Marc and Arlene Wise brought their daughters, 4-year-old Neli and 2-year-old Melissa. The family moved to Loveland about two years ago, and went to the fair to see friends compete in the dog show.

Upcoming county fairs

Ohio

Clinton County Fair

       When: Through July 13.
       Where: Clinton County Fairgrounds, 985 W. Main St., Wilmington.
       Information: 937-382-4443.

Warren County Fair

       When: July 15-20.
       Where: Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon.
       Information: (513)932-2636 or web site.

Butler County Fair

       When: July 21-27.
       Where: Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton.
       Information: (513)892-1423 or web site.

Clermont County Fair

       When: July 21-27.
       Where: Clermont County Fairgrounds, 1000 Locust St., Owensville.
       Information: web site.

Hamilton County Fair

       When: July 31-Aug. 4.
       Where: Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 7700 Vine St., Carthage.
       Information: 761-4224 or web site.

Northern Kentucky

Pendleton County Fair

       When: Today-July 13.
       Where: Southern Elementary School on U.S. 27, Falmouth.
       Information: (859) 654-3395.

Gallatin County Fair

       When: Monday-July 13
       Where: Gallatin County Fairgrounds off U.S. 42, Warsaw.
       Information: (859) 567-5481.

Kenton County Fair & Horse Show

       When: July 15-21.
       Where: Fairgrounds at Taylor Mill Road (Ky. 16) and Harris Pike, Independence.
       Information: (859) 356-3738 or web site.

Grant County Fair

       When: July 26-Aug. 3.
       Where: Grant County Park, U.S. 25, south of Crittenden.
       Information: (859) 824-3355.

Boone County 4-H & Utopia Fair

       When: Aug. 5-10.
       Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, Idlewild Road, Burlington.
       Information: (859) 586-6101.

Boone County Fair & Horse Show

       When: Aug. 5-10.
       Where: Boone County Fairgrounds, Ky. 338, five miles west of Florence Mall, Burlington.
       Information: web site.

Alexandria Fair & Horse Show

       When: Aug. 28-Sept. 2.
       Where: Campbell County Fairgrounds, Fairgrounds Road off Ky. 10, Alexandria.
       Information: (859) 635-2667.

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