Rain not Dampening the Opening of the Meigs County Fair

Rain not Dampening the Opening of the Meigs County Fair

ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio – The rain did not dampen spirits of participants of the 159th Meigs County Fair opening ceremonies and Junior Fair parade.

The parade and ceremony was delayed shortly due to lightning, but continued despite drizzle and further showers throughout the event.

Jordan Pickens served as the master of ceremonies for the event. Pickens announced the floats, and moved the event along.

This year the fair is dedicated to George and Janette Thompson also known as ”Mr. and Mrs. Soundman”. George Thompson has worked for years with the sound for all the events throughout the fair since the mid to late nineties. Janette Thompson is always present with her camera taking pictures throughout the fair too. From the official Meigs County Fair premium book, ”Although providing sound at the fair is their job, George and Jannette enjoy seeing all the youth and their accomplishments. Jannette can often be found ringside with a camera in hand capturing all those special photos we see on her Facebook page, ’My Corner of Ohio.’”

The couple was then presented with a custom plate and they participated along with Sponsor of the Day Mark Porter Auto Group represented by Mark and Teresa Porter in cutting the ribbon to officially open the fair. Dodger Vaughan gave the invocation. The Junior Fair parade followed.

Various types of units including floats, walking and riding units participated in the parade. The parade was led by Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood. The theme for the Junior Fair this year is ”Moovin’ and Groovin’ at the 159th Meigs County Fair” and participants used the theme in their decorating. Club and organization participants included Rough Riders, Cowboy Boots and Country Roots, Wooly Bully’s and More, Busy Beavers, Meigs County Dairy Club, Kid Konnection, Country Pioneers, Next Generation, Big Bend Girl Scouts, and Fur and Feathers. Also in the parade was Molly Hill, Racine Party in the Park Queen. Fair royalty included 2022 queen candidates Claire Howard and Melinda Lawson, princess candidate Paige Smith, 2021 Livestock Princess and Prince Lizzie Parry and Jacob Fitch, and 2021 Fair King Jacob Spencer.

Melinda Lawson was crowned 2022 Meigs County Fair Queen with Claire Howard First Runner-up. Paige Smith was also crowned 2022 Livestock Princess. There were no applicants for Livestock Prince or Fair King. In addition to the fair royalty crowning for the Meigs County Fair, Meigs County Little Miss and Mister were named. The 2022 Meigs County Little Miss is Adalynn Smith with Paisley Stethem first runner-up and Paisley Hicks second runner-up. The 2022 Meigs County Fair Little Mister is Eden Reeves with Shadyn Collins first runner-up and Parker Hicks second runner-up.

Ohio Valley Bank presented a scholarship to Cooper Schagel, recipient of the 2022 OVB 4-H Scholarship.

Home National Bank president John Hoback presented Melinda Lawson, fair queen, with a $1,000 scholarship check as well.

The 159th Meigs County Fair continues through August 20.

Scenes from the Meigs County Fair opening ceremony and parade, all photos by Carrie Rose.