By Kevin Aldridge
Enquirer staff writer

CHEVIOT - Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of Cheviot and Westwood at 6 p.m. tonight to watch high school bands, local politicians, floats and antique cars make their way along Harrison and Frances avenues for the 145th annual Harvest Home Fair parade.

Members of the Hamilton County Sheriffs Department make their way up Harrison Avenue in Cheviot during the 2003 Harvest Home Parade. (Enquirer file)

The parade, featuring 250 units, traditionally marks the start of "Ohio's biggest little fair." The Harvest Home Fair is a distinctly West Side gathering, but the three-day event is expected to draw nearly 30,000 people from across the area.

"It's the biggest thing that happens on the West Side every year," said Dick Feltman, secretary of the fair. "It's worth the trip just to see the parade."

The 145th annual fair, at Harvest Home Park on North Bend Road, is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Cheviot-Westwood. Thousands of dollars are raised and given to more than two dozen charities.

The Harvest Home Fair dates to the 1860s and began as a way for farmers and growers to display their spring and summer produce.

The theme for this year's event is "Support Our Troops." Delhi Township residents Ed and Barbara Wright, the parents of James C. Wright, an Army specialist killed in Iraq, will serve as parade grand marshals.

"We had a similar theme last year and because of all the casualties in the war, we thought it was appropriate to continue showing our support of the troops," Feltman said.

Mainstays such as the horse, art and flower shows, 4-H livestock auction and children's petting farm are back.

New to the fair this year is a 64-team corn hole tournament featuring a $200 prize for first place. The tournament begins at noon Saturday.

The fair also will feature continuous stage shows, games and rides, and plenty of food and drink. Organizers hope the weather holds up.

"It's been promised to us (good weather)," Feltman said. "We hope it's delivered."

If you go
What: 145th annual Harvest Home Fair
When: Today through Sunday
Where: Harvest Home Park on North Bend Road
Admission: $5 for adults, free for children under 12

Today
Parade, 6 p.m.
Friday
Fair open from 5-11 p.m.
Saturday
Fair open noon to 11 p.m.
Corn hole Tournament, noon to 6 p.m.
Sunday
Fair open noon to 11 p.m.
Information: 662-0524

---

E-mail kaldridge@enquirer.com