Dion Macias, 3, offers a bite of his corn dog to his mother, Stacie Tomlinson. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

        LEBANON — This year's Warren County Fair mixes the call of the wild with the sounds of the barnyard.

        In addition to the event's regulation rabbits, poultry, sheep and cows, fair officials have invited an animal rescue specialist who will show his lion, tigers and bear.

        The wild animals are one of the new attractions at the fair, which opened Tuesday.

        “We also have a new clown, Mr. Whiskers, who does magic acts,” said Tari Maddox, a fair staffer. “The rodeo is back for the second year, with some top-ranked riders.”

        Ms. Maddox anticipated that Tuesday's rodeo would draw big crowds, as it did in 2001. If its popularity continues, the rodeo may return again next year.

IF YOU GO

Other Fairs    What: Warren County Fair     When: 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. today through Saturday     Where: Warren County Fairgrounds, Ohio 48, one mile north of Golden Lamb Inn, Lebanon.     Admission: $6 for 13 and older; free admission today for senior citizens. Parking is $1 per passenger car.     Information: www.warrencountyfair.org     Highlights: Demolition Derby — Thursday and Saturday 8 p.m.     Robin Lacey & DeZydeco — Thursday 6:30 p.m.     Food Scramble and Cook-off — Friday 2 p.m.     Truck and Tractor Pull — Friday 6 p.m.Fair season in the Tristate is in high gear. Here are the dates of some other upcoming county fairs.     Adams County July 14-20     Kenton County July 15-20     Butler County July 21-27     Clermont County July 21-27     Hamilton County July 31-Aug. 4     Boone County Aug. 5-10

        But for the county's cadre of 4-Hers, the fair isn't about roping and riding, or strutting exotic stuff. It is the culmination of hundreds of hours of labor and love, as the youngsters bring their farm animals to the ring for judging. The last-minute grooming sessions, the parades before judges and the agonizing wait for results have a special poignancy this year for Brittany Hogan, 17.

        Tuesday's hog show marked her farewell to animal husbandry after nine years of competition. In August, the Waynesville resident is off to business classes at Sinclair Community College.

        But there was one final ribbon in store for the veteran 4-Her. Brittany's 255-pound hog, Molly, won Reserve Champ, the second-place award. Molly has been a big part of Brittany's life since April.

        “She's basically like a pet; you rub her belly and she'll lay down like a dog,“ said Brittany. “After a few months you get pretty attached. It's really hard to sell your animals. I cry every year.”
       

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