Veterans, senior citizens honored at Fair

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Thursday was Kids’ Day at the Van Wert County Fair, with children under 8 getting in free and admission reduced to $3 for everyone else. Youngsters also had the chance to drive a tractor around the Grandstand racetrack as part of Kids Dream Day, while Ronald McDonald performed “A Friendship Adventure” in the Entertainment Tent early Thursday evening and rolling video games were located near the old Treasurer’s Office in the northeast corner of the fairgrounds.

Junior Fair livestock shows also got underway with the Turkey Show, held in the Turkey Barn. FFA Crop and Shop judging and interviews were also held Thursday.

Harness racing continued Thursday evening in front of the grandstand, while the Freedom Quartet performed at the Gospel Pavilion and Country group Polly Mae played in the Entertainment Tent.

Things really get swinging at the fair today, which is both Veterans Day and Senior Citizens Day. All veterans and those age 60 and above are admitted free today.

Free doughnuts will be available for vets and senior citizens at the Entertainment Tent from 8:30-10 a.m., while the Veterans Service Office will also be available in the Entertainment Tent to talk to veterans.

There will also be a Veterans Day Parade at 10:45 a.m. that starts on Balyeat Avenue, while a special Veterans Day program will begin at 11 a.m. in the Entertainment Tent, where free ham and bean soup and cornbread will be served to veterans, starting at noon.

Several livestock shows will be held today, starting with the Open Class Mules & Miniature Horse and Senior Fair Horse shows at the Senior Fair Horse Arena. The Senior Fair Poultry Show will be held at the Poultry Barn at 9 a.m., while the Junior Fair Dairy Show will also begin at 9 this morning in the Farm Focus Arena.

The Senior Fair Stock Horse Show will be held at noon in the Senior Fair Horse Arena, while the Junior Fair Rabbit Show will begin at 4 p.m. in the new Rabbit Barn.

The singles 100 Shoe Tournament will be held at the Horseshoe Court from 1-6 p.m. today, while the Bear Hollow Wood Carver will show off his artistic expertise near the Junior Fair Building, starting at 5 p.m. today.

A hot air balloon launch and balloon rides are scheduled for 6 p.m. in the grandstand infield, while the Ministers Quartet will perform in the Gospel Pavilion at 7 p.m. and Country performer Connor Rose will sing in the Entertainment Tent from 7-10 p.m.

Also tonight, the Michindoh Truck and Tractor Pull will be held from 7-10 p.m. in front of the grandstand.