MANSFIELD, Ohio – Over the last 165 years, the Richland County Fair has seen some major changes – especially at this year’s fair. But the elements of tradition and family fun will remain the same over the fair week beginning Aug. 9.
“Everything you’ve come to know and love about the fair is still here,” said Jason Snyder, president of the Richland County Agricultural Society (RCAS).
Most notably, the Richland County Fair is bringing back a country concert for the first time since 2008: Country artist Chris Cagle, known for his “redneck rock ‘n roll” style of country music, will be performing on Monday, Aug. 10. Snyder said he hopes bringing a country music act will eventually bring the Richland County Fair back to its glory days of having big-name bands such as Alabama and Alan Jackson.
“People have been saying they wanted a country concert back at the fair for years, we just need them to support it now,” said Snyder. “Chris does a really good live show, and it’s good music.”
Tickets for the Chris Cagle concert can be purchased online or at the Richland County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Snyder noted any concert tickets purchased prior to the fair will also serve as an admissions ticket into the fair.
Other new entertainment acts at the fair this year include a widely-requested “bulls and barrels” rodeo by A Bar Rodeo Productions and KOI drag racing featuring motorcycles and full-blown sand dragsters. These events stand alongside crowd favorites including harness racing, tractor pulls and the demo derby.
The ever-popular Richland County Fair livestock shows will continue this year, despite the absence of poultry shows. The Ohio Department of Agriculture cancelled all duck, rooster, goose and chicken shows at the state and county fairs this year due to an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as avian flu. Ohio has been virus-free thus far, and the ban is intended to continue that status.
According to Ohio State University Extension Director and 4-H Extension Educator Judy Villard-Overocker, approximately 105 students were unable to participate in poultry shows this year due to the ban. Students instead will complete a poster about their project, compete in a skill-a-thon knowledge exam, and practice showmanship with an artificial bird.
“We’ve still got a big display area in the barn for the kids setting up their projects, some of the hatcheries and the Ohio Poultry Association are bringing in displays, so the barn is going to be full,” said Snyder.
Snyder noted the Richland County Fair would not be possible without the generous support of Phillips Manufacturing, their flagship sponsor for this year. The fair was a favorite place of the company’s founder, the late Ralph Phillips, who was a proud supporter of local families especially through the FFA, 4-H and the fair livestock auctions.
“Without their help and support both on this side and for kids at the auction, they really support the area and really support the fair,” said Snyder.
Additional major sponsors will be featured in the “Sponsor of the Day” tent at the front of the fairgrounds. Snyder said featured sponsors will include The Boot Life, the Richland County Health Department, Three C Counseling, Akron Children’s Hospital, OhioHealth MedCentral, and Richland Pregnancy.
“We stepped it up this year with getting sponsors that are going to be active and doing things,” he said.
Snyder said he’s most looking forward to watching his daughter showcase her goats this year – much like the large number of families who dedicate their summers to the fair.
“For so many families this is their only vacation, and we’ve got 250 campers parked back there for a week,” he said. “Kids being involved with animals, and hopefully people wanting to come back for the entertainment as we continue to grow it…you just look forward to it.”
“Everything you’ve come to know and love about the fair is still here,” said Jason Snyder, president of the Richland County Agricultural Society (RCAS).
