Marion County Fair ready to roll for the 172nd year

Andrew Carter, Marion Star
·5 min read
Local 4-H members will have the chance to showcase their projects this week at the 172nd Marion County Fair. The fair opens Monday and runs through Saturday. More than 550 4-H exhibitors are expected to participate in this year's fair, according to officials from the Marion County Ohio State University Extension Office. For information about the Marion County Fair, go to the website marioncountyfairgrounds.com. This photo shows participants in the senior beef showmanship class during the 2020 Marion County Fair.

It's that time of year in Ohio with fair and festival season now in full swing.

The 172nd Marion County Fair kicks off on Monday with six days full of activities planned.

New to the fair this year is 4-H Youth Educator Lydia Flores. The Union County native joined the Marion County Ohio State University Extension staff in March and hit the ground running to get local 4-H participants ready for the fair.

"It's always fun to see how the different 4-H programs are unique in their own sense," said Flores, an Ohio State alumna who worked as a 4-H educator in Medina and Morgan counties prior to coming to Marion. "There's many pieces here in Marion County that I'm familiar with because it's similar to how I grew up. In Medina County, it was completely different, a much bigger program with around 1,100 kids to manage. Morgan County was a much smaller, more quaint community with around 300 kids.

"So it's been an adjustment for me, but I'm excited to be a part of camp this year, especially, because I love 4-H camp. It's been a learning curve, but I'm excited to be here and this community has been really great and very supportive. I'm very grateful for that."

Lydia Flores is a 4-H Youth Development Educator for the Marion County Ohio State University Extension Office.
Lydia Flores is a 4-H Youth Development Educator for the Marion County Ohio State University Extension Office.

Flores said about 550 kids are involved in 4-H programming in Marion County.

As a longtime 4-H exhibitor herself, Flores noted that she's excited to see how the kids from Marion County perform in this year's fair.

"I'm excited for the kids because I remember the days when I was packing up all my stuff, I'd done my Skill-a-thon, now I just have to make sure my animals are ready," Flores said. "So you're excited and nervous, you're ready to take on your show, ready to do your best, and give it your all. County fair, for me especially, because I didn't compete at state fair, that was it. All my nine months of raising my animal comes down to this week.

"So I'm excited for them. I'm excited to see all their passion be spilled out in the show ring. I'm also excited to see all those who are brand new to their (animal) species try something new for the first time and learn the ropes, basically. I enjoy seeing the kids try their very best when it comes to putting all their time and effort into these projects they've spent many months on."

Flores offered some advice for 4-H exhibitors who are participating in their first fair this year.

"Enjoy it. Enjoy every moment, every minute you get to work with your animal and work with others," she said. "Definitely look to those older kids for guidance because anyone's willing to help you, that's for sure. You just have to ask."

Rachel Lehner of Marion was the 2021 Marion County Dairy Feeder Queen. She is shown with her calf named Wade during last year's fair.
Rachel Lehner of Marion was the 2021 Marion County Dairy Feeder Queen. She is shown with her calf named Wade during last year's fair.

Fair Board President Keith Seckel has been a regular at the Marion County Fair for as long as he can remember. Like Flores, he's excited to see what this year's crop of 4-H exhibitors bring to the annual local agriculture showcase.

"The exhibition part is my favorite. I love watching all the kids show their animals," he said. "That's why we do it, so the kids have a chance to show off all of their hard work. To see those kids smile when they walk into the show ring, it just makes your heart melt."

Seckel said he also enjoys seeing the different generations of families participate in the fair, noting that now two of his sons, Kory and Klay, are both members of the Fair Board alongside him.

What's at the grandstand in 2022?

In addition to the 4-H kids having the chance to showcase their skills, the Marion County Fair provides a great deal of entertainment for visitors. The lineup of activities at the grandstand is always a good attraction. Following is the schedule for grandstand entertainment this year at the fair:

• Monday and Tuesday — Harness racing, 11 a.m.

• Monday — Omega Kick band, 7:30 p.m; Fireworks, 10 p.m.

• Tuesday — Tough Truck, 7:30 p.m.

• Wednesday — A-Bar Bull Riding and Barrel Racing, 7:30 p.m.

• Thursday — NTPA Tractor Pull, 7:30 p.m.

• Friday — Truck Pull, 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday — Garden Tractor Pull, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Demo Derby & Figure 8, 7:30 p.m.

Fair Royalty for 2022

Following is the 2022 Marion County Fair Royalty Court:

• King — Jonah Bowdle

• Prince — Hunter Vitaro

• Queen — Anna Sharp

• Queen — Kyla Stockdale

• Queen — Lila Mencer

• Princess — Becca Baldinger

• Princess — Briar Watts-Rettig

• Princess — Kylee Parsell

Following is the 2022 Marion County Fair Livestock Royalty:

• Beef Queen — Kari Carter

• Beef Princess — Jaiden Gruber

• Dairy Feeder Princess — Camryn Thiel

• Equine Queen — Briar Watts-Rettig

• Equine Princess — Averie Lookabaugh

• Equine Prince — Eric Nolting

• Goat Queen — Rebecca Baldinger

• Goat King — Kain Mencer

• Goat Princess — Marissa Loyer

• Goat Prince — Justin Parsell

• Poultry Queen — Catherine Starrs

• Poultry King — Jacob Gerfen

• Poultry Princess — Hallie Winslow

• Poultry Prince — Josiah Dawson

• Rabbit Queen — Alexis Long

• Rabbit King — Adrian Starcher

• Rabbit Princess — Charolytte Etgen

• Rabbit Prince — Jakob Neville

• Wool Queen — Anna Sharp

• Wool Princess — Abigail Wagner

• Pork Queen — Bailey Boblenz

• Pork Princess — Briar Watts-Rettig

How much does it cost?

Daily admission to the 2022 Marion County Fair costs $8. Children younger than age 10 are admitted at no cost. A membership weekly pass costs $25. A season pass costs $25. An exhibitor pass costs $18 with registered arts and crafts entries.

Grandstand admission is free. A pit pass costs $10. Pit passes are free for children age 3 and younger.

Following are ticket prices for rides:

• Single-ride ticket — $1.50

• Pack of 30 tickets — $30 (Kiddie rides, 2 tickets; Major rides, 3 tickets)

• Unlimited all-day ride pass — $16

To see the complete schedule of events and for more information about the Marion County Fair, go to the website marioncountyfairgrounds.com.

Email: ecarter@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion County Fair ready to roll for the 172nd year