HANCOCK COUNTY — Pig races, pro wrestling and a double Ferris wheel are all new additions to this year’s Hancock County 4-H Fair.
The fair kicks off Friday, June 23 with a number of traditional events which have stood the test of time, yet fair board members are excited to see what the public thinks of a few new changes.
Among them is a new midway vendor — the Carnival Company, a three-generation midway show based out of Gratis, Ohio.
Fair board member Holly Plank said the new vendor was chosen based on scheduling, not on any previous issues with prior vendors, but she thinks the public will enjoy some new offerings like a double Ferris wheel.
“I think that’s their most popular attraction,” she said.
Another new fair feature this year is the addition of an opening night concert.
Popular regional band Stella Luna will perform starting at 8 p.m. Friday, June 23 in the 4-H Bowl on the west side of the fairgrounds.
“We kind of felt like we needed a kick-off night, something that would involve the whole community and not just 4-H’ers, which might draw some newcomers to the fair,” Plank said.
The outdoor venue has bleachers but guests are welcome to bring their own seating.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted, but Plank knows many will opt to buy their favorite fair food and drinks to take to the concert.
Just like the fair, admission to the concert is free.
A worker walks by one of the midway rides at the Hancock 4-H fairgrounds during setup for the fair, which kicks off this weekend.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
Project Turn-In judging goes on at the Hancock 4-H Fairgrounds. Projects of different variations are judged and put on display for the week of the fair.
Jim Hackley judges a young 4-H fair member’s project during Project Turn-In at the Hancock 4-H Fairgrounds. Projects of different variations are judged and put on display for the week of the fair.
Isabelle Strege has her photography entry judged during Project Turn-In at the Hancock 4-H Fairgrounds. Projects of different variations are judged and put on display for the week of the fair.
Opening day also features another new event — the Mini 4-H Princess Pageant — which takes place at 6 p.m. at the 4-H Bowl.
The pageant emulates the annual 4-H queen contest, but for young girls in kindergarten through second grade who participate Mini 4-H.
Plank said the fair board previously hosted a Little Miss Pageant and decided to bring back a new version of that after the popularity of last year’s 4-H Fair queen brunch with 2022 queen Claire Bishop.
“They had a huge turnout and it was really successful, so we wanted to offer something similar to the Little Miss contest but in a pageant style,” Plank said.
Perhaps the most talked about addition to the fair this year is pig races, which will take place just south of the sheep barn on multiple days throughout the fair.
Another new addition are live wrestling matches courtesy of Summit Pro Wrestling. The Greenfield-based company, which has dubbed its performances “Elephant Ears and Elbow Drops,” will host shows at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24.
“They’ve been at the fairgrounds before, just not during the fair,” said Plank.
The matches will include tag team champions Shawn Kemp and Chase Holliday defending their titles against Kavron Kanyon and newcomer Kevin Noire.
On a gentler note, the fair has also added a baby animal exhibit called Mama Town in the livestock barn, where baby chicks, sheep and other farm critters will be on display alongside their mamas.
“This is replacing the petting zoo we had last year,” Plank said.
The fair has also added a livestock show for participants with physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities through Poss-ABILITIES for Youth with All Abilities, a local nonprofit.
The show takes place in the main arena at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 29, when participants will get the chance to show sheep, goats and rabbits alongside a mentor, many of whom are 4-H members.
“It’s designed to provide a livestock experience for kids of all abilities between the ages of 3 to 25,” said program founder Emily Meckel, whose 5-year-old daughter Emery, who is nonverbal and non ambulatory, participates.
Plank said the Poss-ABILITIES show is a prime example of the 4-H Fair board’s commitment to gauging public feedback when cultivating new fair programming.
The 12-member board works year-round to plan all components of the annual fair, sometimes adding new programming while weeding out programs or attractions that have run their course.
Plank said the board hopes to bring back a rodeo event to the fair next year.
“We’ve struggled to have events like that in the arena with all the horse and pony events going on, so we sometimes have to do some switching around,” she said.
Plank, who grew up raising livestock on a Hancock County farm and was a 10-year 4-H member as a kid, said carrying on the tradition of the Hancock County 4-H Fair is a labor of love.
“I’m excited about this year’s fair,” said Plank, who is still immersed in agriculture as a program technician for Farm Service Agency.
“I’m hopeful we’ll have good weather and everybody will come out to see what’s new,” she said.
For information on this fair, visit YourHancockFairgrounds.com/4-h-fair.
