Fair week an all-around success

The carnival midway was a popular place to be on Aug. 27 at the Jefferson County Fair, when family night offered a ride-all-night-for-one-price option. Toni Milbourne
LEETOWN — The Jefferson County Fair concluded with a bit of a storm, as rains and lightning canceled some activities on Saturday evening. In spite of that fact, the remainder of the week was a success for the Jefferson County Fair Association and for the fair’s attendees.
According to fair manager Todd Wilt, the week was a definite success.
“It was a year of unexpected twists, turns and changes,” Wilt said, referring not only to the planning stages, but also to the fair week. “Certainly, COVID continued to play a part, but I don’t think we could have asked for much better.”
Wilt said the number of attendees each day was average, or even slightly above average.
“Tuesday’s attendance was near record-setting,” Wilt said, of the evening which featured events like the Figure-8 competition and demolition derby.
“I went Monday, Tuesday I had a car in the derby and I went Saturday to pick up some corn,” said Don Bageant. “I value the fair, because it’s a place to see people you haven’t seen in a while.”
Melody Johnson concurred, saying her family was at the fair on five different days.
“I loved the derby and the tuff truck,” Johnson said, adding that she also enjoyed the food trucks and seeing fellow attendees.
“Socialization,” stressed Mike Mood, who attended, participated in events and volunteered throughout the week fair. “Motorsports, socialization and more socialization. The fair is a great way for people to raise and show animals, show their motorsports skills, crafts and more.”
The animals were a favorite of many, who made their way to the fairgrounds. People traversed through the different animal barns and came out specifically to watch animals as they were shown.
“This was my daughter’s first year as an exhibitor,” said Cassie Deblois. “We were there every day. She raised a market hog and showed so much responsibility, grit, maturity and love toward that animal.”
“Watching the children show their animals is the best part of the fair,” added Jeri Wines, who also was at the fairgrounds every day.
Exhibiting was not limited to animals as many young people and adults entered items into the craft buildings, including crafts, photographs, canned goods, vegetables and quilts. While Wilt explained that exhibits were down in number from the previous fair, he did confirm that a reduction has been a continuing trend over time.
“This year was a more significant reduction than has been experienced in the past,” Wilt confirmed, saying there could be multiple reasons for the decrease, including the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as the reduced number of individuals who do such handiwork.
Regardless of the fewer entries, there was a quick surge to see who garnered the coveted purple Best of Show ribbons, as well as first, second and third place honors in each category.
Patt Welsh, who has served as a fair volunteer for many years, said she was the superintendent of Building 5 and the art department.
“I had the opportunity to talk to visitors and found they were from Mississippi, New Jersey, Virginia,” she said. “I keep a comment log for folks to write in.”
Welsh also said she displayed a blue-ribbon oil painting of flowers that had been exhibited at the old Shenandoah Race Track in 1963, before the fair moved to Leetown.