2016 Van Wert County Fair officially over

SCOTT TRUXELL & DAVE MOSIER/Van Wert independent

Although the 160th edition of the Van Wert County Fair is officially over, fairgoers had plenty of opinions on what was their favorite part of this year’s fair.

Along with the Junior Fair events, there seems to be a common theme at the fair: food, family, and fun. Those were the things mentioned by people who took advantage of nice weather and enjoyed some Labor Day weekend time at the fairgrounds.

Jason McGarvey of Van Wert was there Saturday with family, and said the food is his favorite part of the fair. “Corn dogs and elephant ears,” McGarvey said.

McGarvey’s wife, Jen, said her favorite part is family time.

Their two children had different answers.

Eight-year-old JJ McGarvey said the Babyland Barn is his favorite part of the fair. “They had baby kittens that were wrestling,” JJ said.

One particular ride is a favorite of 8-year-old Grace McGarvey: “The Dragon (Wagon) roller coaster,” Grace said.

As for 5-year-old Drew McGarvey, his favorite thing is the games. “I won a tiger last year!” Drew said.

Andrew Vaughn of Delphos brought his 6-year-old son Andrew to the fair.

“I enjoy watching my son ride the rides,” Vaughn said.

“I like going on rides, and I like the funhouse,” the younger Vaughn said.

Chester Cary of Lima spends time at the Van Wert County Fair every year with his grandchildren: 10-year-old Makaylah Zimmerman, and 7-year-old Zander Zimmerman of Van Wert.

“It’s a fun family fair, an old-time family fair,” Cary said.

Mike Saint made the 90-minute drive from Wabash, Indiana, to bring his grandchildren to the fair.

“They have a good variety of rides here,” Saint said.

Sabrina Ricker of Van Wert said her favorite part of the Van Wert County Fair was the former band show. Now, it’s the cheerleading competition.

Her 8-year-old daughter, Aubrey, was part of this year’s cheer competition and said she had fun. “I like the Dragon (Wagon) roller coaster,” Aubrey added.

Five-year-old Jenna Ricker thought about it, and said “winning prizes” is her favorite part of the fair.

Aubrey and Jenna’s father, Jeff Ricker, really enjoyed last year’s show by the Charlie Daniels band. This year, it’s the food.

“Cheese curds,” Ricker said.

Ellie Norton of Van Wert brought her two children to the fair, and said she just enjoys being with her family.

Both of the children, 4-year-old Zachary Norton and 7-year-old Connor Norton, said their favorite part of the Van Wert County Fair is the games.

“I won a fish!” Connor said.

Connor also explained how something he now enjoys was something he didn’t like before: elephant ears.

“At first, I thought it was a real elephant ear,” Connor said.

After his mother told him it didn’t really come from an elephant, “it was good the second time,” Connor explained.

In the meantime, while the fair is now officially over, today is payback time for Junior Fair livestock exhibitors for the many hours spent feeding, grooming, and cleaning up after their animals.

The Junior Fair Livestock Auction begins at 9 this morning with the symbolic sale of a gallon of milk that provides a reward for dairy exhibitors who don’t sell their animals, and will likely last well into the afternoon as community businesses and organizations bid on animals that could end up on somebody’s dinner table just weeks after they were led around a show arena.