156th VW County Fair winding down

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Today, Labor Day, is the last official day of the 156th edition of the Van Wert County Fair, following a wet, but eventful weekend that included Sunday’s Demolition Derby and Saturday’s rodeo presented by Hat Creek Arena and Cheerleader Invitational, held this year in the Lincolnview High School gymnasium because of the threat of rain.

Also held Sunday was the ever-popular Junior Fair Showman of Showmen competition, which had a royal finish when Junior Fair Queen Katie Vorst won the event this year. The Showman of Showmen competition is one where livestock exhibitors must show animals in several classes, not only the ones they brought to the fair. It makes for a challenging — and sometimes amusing — competition as steer exhibitors, for example, struggle with rabbits and pigs, and swine exhibitors work with dairy feeder calves and poultry.

Parents and others packed the Lincolnview gymnasium for the cheerleader competition, which featured squads from all over northwest Ohio, including cheerleaders from Van Wert County schools and “all star” squads from Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks and other private studios.

Fairgoers also had the chance to see some rip-snortin’ bull riding and other rodeo events Saturday evening in front of the grandstand. On Sunday, junk vehicles took over for the bulls as the Fair Demolition Derby took place at the grandstand.

Today’s activities include demonstrations by dancers from Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks (noon-1:30 p.m.) and Pam’s School of Dance (2-3:30 p.m.) in the Entertainment Tent. The Open Sheep Show will be held this morning, while the Senior Fair Dairy Show will be held this afternoon.

Performances in the Gospel Pavilion include The Master’s Own, Trinity and Freedom, while grandstand events include thoroughbred/quarter horse racing in the afternoon, beginning at 1 and featuring the Van Wert County Fair 1 1/8 Derby; and the MICHINDOH Truck & Tractor Pull this evening, starting at 7.