Fulton County Fair offers samplings of rural life

Raegan Beverly, 6, of Defiance tastes a funnel cake at the fair. Like most area fairs, the Fulton County's has a plethora of sweet and fried food offerings. Local organizations as well as carnival stands are big draws. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

At the Fulton County Fair north of Wauseon, Jalen Longoria, 16, of Archbold, Ohio, tries his hand at a break-a-bottle game. The fair continues through Thursday. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Brian Banister and his son Mark trim a sheep to prepare it to be exhibited at the fair. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

WAUSEON - The Fulton County Fair continues its 153rd year this week with many crowd-pleasing events, carnival rides, and up-close exhibits of livestock that have made it the biggest event of its kind in northwest Ohio.

The 200-acre fairgrounds appeared to offer something for everyone Sunday afternoon.

There was steady foot traffic moving through the cattle barn, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds on the concessions and rides midway, and short lines forming inside the poultry and rabbit tent.

Fifteen-year-old Dallas Russell of Metamora could hardly believe the size of one brown rabbit named Ella. "That thing is huge," he said to his 4-H peers. "It looks like a dog!"

"We have carnivals back in Cincinnati, so we come up to see the animals," said Mr. Stickney, a Bryan native who had been in 4-H.

Jeff Williams of Monclova Township said the fair was a chance for his family to experience the large number and variety of farm animals on display at a rural county fair. "This is the nicest fair around the area," he said. "It feels like a good-old country fair, as compared to, say, an inner-city fair."

And for Anna Millar, 15, of Metamora, Sunday was a much-awaited opportunity to show off her prized rabbit and goose, who is named Sir Honks.

The 4-H competition judges thought almost as highly of them Sunday as she did.

"I was grand champion with my goose, and third place with my rabbit," Anna said.

Unfortunately, success may have gone a bit to Sir Honk's head.

"I was grand champion with my goose, and third place with my rabbit," Anna said.

Unfortunately, success may have gone a bit to Sir Honk's head.

Anna apologized for the goose's new habit of pulling out the feathers of his neighbors in the barn.

"He's got attitude problems," she said.

By keeping admission to $5, fair organizers are hoping for a turnout that exceeds last year's 262,072 visitors.

The fair began Friday and runs through Thursday, with a performance Monday night by country music star Blake Shelton.

Each year hundreds of people camp at the fairgrounds during the week-long event.

Because spots can be kept within the same family for decades, certain choice lots are coveted real estate.

"This is the only place our camper goes every year," said Steve Smith, 59, of Fulton Township, who has been vacationing at the fairgrounds with his wife, Alice Smith, every year since about 1990.

Through the years they've befriended their neighbors on adjoining lots.

"It's an annual reunion, not only of your family but your extended neighbors around the country," Mrs. Smith said.

Contact JC Reindl at:

jreindl@theblade.com

or 419-724-6065.

41.55019 -84.13435

Joshua Emerling, left, and Calib Brashear, both 5-year-olds from Defiance, take a ride down the big slide. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

The Fulton County Fair continues its 153rd year this week with many crowd-pleasing events, carnival rides, and up-close exhibits of livestock that have made it the biggest event of its kind in northwest Ohio. There was steady foot traffic moving through the cattle barn, shoulder-to-shoulder crowds on the concessions and rides midway, and short lines forming inside the poultry and rabbit tent on Sunday.