160th Meigs County Fair officially begins
The Junior Fair Parade during the 160th opening of the Meigs County Fair. MIP photo.
ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio – The 160th Meigs County Fair officially kicked off with a parade, ribbon cutting, opening ceremonies and crowning of fair royalty in front of the historic Grandstand.
The theme for the Junior Fair this year is “Pioneer Days to Modern Ways” and was evident throughout the opening activities.
The Eastern Marching Band played the National Anthem with VFW Post 9053, American Legion 602, and American Legion 39 raising the flag.
Recognized during the opening events were Dean and Robin Harris for their contributions and dedication to the fair through the years. The Meigs County Agricultural Society (senior fair board) and the Junior Fair Board then invited Dean and Robin Harris to cut the ribbon to officially open the fair and begin the festivities.
Also recognized posthumously were Virgil Windon and June Ridenour. Families from both individuals were present to receive plaques recognizing the contributions of Windon and Ridenour to the fair.
The parade winners were: Walking, first, Cowboy Boots and Country Roots 4-H Club, second, Big Bend Girl Scouts; Riding, first, Meigs County Dairy Club, second, Wooly Bully’s and More tied with Country Pioneers; Float, first, Next Generation, second, Country Clovers, third, Busy Beavers.
Little Miss Meigs County was named. Little Miss Second Runner Up is Adalyn Dunkle. Little Miss First Runner Up is Anya Barnhart with 2023 Little Miss Meigs County being Brinley Howard.
Little Mister Meigs County was also named. Little Mister Second Runner Up is Luke Shaw. Little Mister First Runner Up is Brysen Sellers with 2023 Little Mister Meigs County being Brooks Chapman.
The 2023 Meigs County Livestock Prince is Kayden Hensley.
Candidates for Livestock Princess are Ella Bailer, Sabrina Harrison, Jaelynn Curtis, Ivy McClain, and Paislee Tucker. Jaelynn Curtis was crowned the 2023 Meigs County Livestock Princess.
The 2023 Meigs County Fair Queen is Sidney Dillon.
Representatives from Senator J.D. Vance and Auditor Keith Faber, Julie Stephens with Congressman Brad Wenstrup’s Office, Kelly Smith with Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague’s Office, expressed best wishes for the fair and presented letters and proclamations.
Ohio Valley Bank also recognized scholarship winner. This year’s OVB 4-H Scholarship is going to Trenton Morrissey.
The Rachel Downey Memorial 4-H Scholarship was awarded to Jacob Spencer. The 4-H Committee Scholarship was awarded to Melinda Lawson. The Junior Fair Scholarship was also awarded to Lawson.
The Meigs County Fair is celebrating the 160th fair this year. The fair was actually started in 1851, but wars and the Great Depression were years no fair was held. The fair runs from August 14-19 at the historic fairgrounds at Rocksprings just out side of Pomeroy, Ohio.
