Hardin County Fair to feature rodeo, shows

KENTON — A rodeo, harness racing, high school band show and truck and tractor pull will be some of the highlights of the 2023 Hardin County Fair. The six-day event starts Tuesday at the Hardin County Fairgrounds, 14134 Letson Ave., Kenton, and concludes Sunday, Sept. 10. Daily gate tickets are $10 for individuals ages 9 and older. Season tickets will be available for purchase online during the week of the fair, at a cost of $$25 for adults and $10 for youth. Free parking is available in the east and west parking lots. Main grounds parking is available with the purchase of a $15 parking permit, purchased in the fair office prior to the opening day. Ride prices will be $15 to ride throughout the day. Veterans will be honored Tuesday, and will be admitted free with a pass obtained at the fair office or with proper identification. Junior Fair animal contests will be judged along with culinary arts classes. The open class flower show will be held. The official opening ceremony will be held at noon. A baked goods auction is planned for 4 p.m. The Junior Fair King and Queen will be crowned at 6:30 p.m. in the grandstand, followed by the high school band showcase. Admission is $7. Wednesday will feature more junior fair and open class judging. A youth cutting board challenge is scheduled for 6:30-9 p.m. in the community building. The contest is open to grades 7-12. Harness racing will be held in the free grandstand at 7 p.m. Junior Fair dairy feeder and poultry shows will be held on Thursday. A second session of harness racing begins at noon. The Pee Wee Goat Showmanship "Just Kidding Around" Fun Night with goats begins at 6 p.m. in the small animal show arena. The day's grandstand entertainment will feature micro wrestling. Admission is $7. Friday is Senior Day and College Day at the fair. Senior citizens will be admitted free with a Golden Buckeye card or proof that they are over age 60, while college students will receive half off their admission with a student ID. The Born in Hardin County Market Hog Show begins at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m., the open class Draft Horse & Pony Show will be held in the grandstand. The Mad River Valley Dulcimers will perform in the shelterhouse at 10 a.m., with entertainment by the Lima Beane Chorus at 11 a.m. at the gazebo. An antique tractor parade follows at 11:30 a.m. Entertainment in the grandstand will feature the Hardin County Truck and Tractor Pull at 7 p.m. General admission is $7. Pit passes are $10. The Junior Fair Livestock Sale begins at 8 a.m. Saturday in the show arena. Music by the Shifferly Road Band will be offered from 2-5 p.m., followed by JD Owen performing in the gazebo from 5-7 p.m. The Broken Horn Rodeo will be held at 7 p.m. in the grandstand. Admission is $7, and a pit pass is $10. Sunday, the last day of the fair, begins with music and an Hour of Inspiration in the grandstand at 10:30 a.m. A cheerleading competition is scheduled at 12:30 p.m. Admission is $5. There will be a Pee Wee Swine Showmanship at 1 p.m., a children's pedal tractor pull at 2 p.m., and the showmen of showmen contest at 3:30 p.m. A demolition derby will be held at 6 p.m. in the grandstand. Admission is $7 or a pit pass for $10. Demonstrations will be held throughout the fair in the community building, conducted by OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences and the Hardin County Homemakers. There will also be wood carving and glass blowing demonstrations and performances by Magic Man. Dish day competitions are set for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.hardincountyfair.org