Fair gets unofficial start with Tug A Truck

Van Wert County Fair information

Despite a small afternoon shower at the fairgrounds, Tug a Truck welcomed 19 local area Tuggers to the grandstand for a first annual unofficial kick-off.

In the 5,500-pound class, Bob Zizelman of Rockford took third, Dan Baxter of Convoy earned a second place finish, and Matt Sites of Spencerville took home the win.

In the 7,500-pound class, Sean Ziakam of Van Wert finished third, Bruce Gatshall of Van Wert was second, and, again, Matt Sites of Spencerville won first place and took home the title.

An interesting twist to the event was the addition of an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. This challenge went viral on Facebook this summer and is an activity intended to promote awareness and encourage donations for research toward research for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

The challenge dares a nominated person to be filmed having a bucket of ice water dumped over their head and challenging others to do the same. The stipulation is that a nominated candidate has 24 hours either to comply or make a charitable financial donation to the cause. Many people choose to complete the challenge and donate as well.

Tug a Truck Emcee Spencer Balliet introduced Sarah Smith, Fair Board director for Pleasant Township.

“My name is Sarah Smith and I was called out by my good friend, Major David Drass of Las Vegas, Nevada,” Smith said. “I am calling out the entire opening ceremony of the Van Wert County Fair.”

Smith proceeded to inform the crowd of some of the representatives that should be at the ceremony, all the Fair Board directors, the county commissioners, all the village mayors, township trustees, County Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach, Van Wert Fire Chief Jim Steele and Police Chief Joel Hammond, even a governor’s rep and possibly the state treasurer.

Smith did add that she will also be donating. The official opening ceremony of the Van Wert County Fair will be held at 5 p.m. today. The forecast says there could be rain, but, either way, Van Wert County leaders attending the opening ceremony may want to consider bringing along a change of clothes.