Even free day is a struggle at Lucas County Fair, a frustrated vendor says

The midway appeared to be crowded in some areas during Wednesday's free day. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Gracyon Amos, 9, of Wood County gives her quarter horse Poko a kiss before competing in the trail novice class at the Lucas County Fairy. THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Youngsters took over the Lucas County Fair Wednesday, waving inflatable prizes, munching on corn dogs, and lining up for the Ferris wheel.

Wednesday was Kids' Day at the fair, featuring free admission for all from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and $5 passes for mechanical rides.

This week marks the 152nd annual Lucas County Fair. Starting Tuesday and continuing through Sunday, the Lucas County Recreation Center in Maumee will host livestock auctions, beauty pageants, carnival games, and food vendors galore.

The fair has existed since the Civil War, but by all accounts it has declined in recent years. Whether the cause is the economy, new forms of entertainment, or simply decreased interest, the change is undeniable.

"I've talked to people in Fulton County and Wood County and they're saying the same thing," fair board director Kay Stenzel said. "It's just economics."

Ms. Stenzel, 69, said that the culture of the fair has changed since her childhood, when she would attend three or four times.

Now, most fair-goers only go once and for many that's only to the free Kids' Day.

Consequently, the fair has had to scale back in its offerings.

"We used to have a chicken show, and we'd get a full barn of contestants," Ms. Stenzel said. "Now, it costs too much to travel just to get a ribbon."

Admission is at $6 this year, "and that's about as low as we can afford to have it," she said.

Even Kids' Day, which usually draws the largest crowd, left some vendors dissatisfied.

When asked how his day was going, Tony Haynes had a one-word answer: "Terrible."

Mr. Haynes, 50, operates a stall trading stuffed animals with children. He has been in the carnival business for 30 years.

"The attendance is down, way down. These streets used to be packed here on Kids' Day," he said, gesturing toward the empty pavement in front of his booth.

"The economy is down, so people are scared," he said.

No attendance estimates were available from the fair board.

Folks who were at the fair Wednesday, however, were full of smiles and there was no shortage of fun to be had.

Artist Dennis Beach was carving wood figurines with - don't ask me how - a chain saw.

Last night featured the My Fair Lady pageant, for which entrants had to be at least 75 years of age.

But children outnumbered their adults Wednesday afternoon.

Dianna Hitzka, 62, walked with two granddaughters in tow. She said she made the trip from Temperance "for the kids," but was not considering a second trip. "I'm too old, and it's too hot," she quipped.

Michael Thomas, 53, was also there with his grandchildren, ages 12, 10, and 6. The kids are from Atlanta, and they are spending the summer with their grandparents in Toledo.

"It's an outing, something to do, something fun that I knew they would enjoy," Mr. Thomas said.

"For me, the best part is watching the smiles on the kids' faces."

Highlights of the fair include:

• 12-4 p.m. - Veteran's Day

• 6-8:30 p.m. - Draft horse pulls

• 7:30 p.m. - Singer Pat Dailey

• 7:30 p.m. - Brian Howe (former lead singer of Bad Company)

• 4 p.m. - Lawn mower races

• 7 p.m. - Demolition Derby

• 2 p.m. - Cheerleading competition

• 4 p.m. - Rough Truck Challenge

Contact Dennis Howe at:

dhowe@theblade.com

or 419-724-6050.