2011 VW County Fair heads into final day

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

After a busy weekend, the 155th edition of the Van Wert County Fair heads into its final official day today.

Today’s Labor Day activities include dancing demonstrations by Kim Hohman’s DanceWorks (noon-1:30 p.m.) and Pam’s School of Dance (1:30-3 p.m.), both in the Entertainment Tent; thoroughbred and quarter horse racing in front of the grandstand, including the Van Wert County Fair 1 1/8 mile Derby; banjo player Glenn Parks in the Entertainment Tent from 3:30-4:30 p.m.; the Bear Hollow Wood Carver Show, with shows at 2, 5 and 8 p.m.;  the Senior Fair Dairy Show; Masters Own and Trinity gospel groups in the Gospel Pavilion at 4 p.m.; Country singer Melvin Mullin in the entertainment tent from 5-8 p.m.; the Pfeifers in the Gospel Pavilion at 6 p.m.; and rock band Kill the Rabbit in front of the grandstand, starting at 7 p.m.

Members of the Van Wert County Agricultural Society can also vote for new directors from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. in the Administration Building on the fairgrounds.

Director contests include the following:

Pleasant Township

• Terry Childs
• Dwight High

Jennings Township/At Large

• Kyle Gehres
• Phil Sorgen

Jackson Township

• Randy Mason
• Tim Miller

Liberty Township

• Aaron Knittle
• Chris Overholt

York Township

• Ron Owens
• Michael Patterson

In order to be a voting member, a person must have purchased an Individual Membership Certificate. Those who did so have the opportunity to vote on all candidates, not just those candidates representing their area, by placing an “X” or checkmark by the name of the candidate they want to win.

The weekend saw lots of activities and events, some rain and a lessening in the heat that plagued the fair the first four days.

Saturday’s events included a number of Junior and Senior Fair competitions, the popular cheerleader competition, horseshoe competition, a martial arts program in the Entertainment Tent, Ultimate Air Dogs shows, and the Michindoh Truck & Tractor Pull in front of the grandstand.

On Sunday, the fourth annual Cornhole Tournament was held, as well as the Fetch! and Catch It! Ultimate Air Dogs Show and Ultimate Air Dogs finals; doubles horseshoe competition; the 4-H Talent Show; Christian group FFH and Jerry Garcia in front of the grandstand; the Van Wert County Cattlemen’s Futurity; the Bear Hollow Wood Carvers; a number of Junior and Senior Fair livestock shows; Jimmy Cox Karaoke in the Entertainment Tent; Freedom in the Gospel Pavilion; and the wildly popular Auto Demolition Derby Sunday evening in front of the grandstand.